I saw this on a lexus service log.

Is this something that I can repair or should I avoid the car at all costs?

CUSTOMER STATES THAT VEHICLE JERKS WHEN BRAKING ~|~CUSTOMER STATES THAT VEHICLE JERKS WHEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING ~|~TRANSMISSION CONCERNS. ACCELERATION OK, SHIFTS NORMALLY, BUT CLOSED THROTTLE DOWNSHIFTS, ESP 3-2 AND 2-1, ARE HARSH. REVERSE OK, BUT DOUBLE BUMP ENGAGEING INTO "DRIVE". NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT THIS TIME. WILL LIKELY REQUIRE A REMAN TRANSMIS ~|~WILL LIKELY REQUIRE A REMAN. TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. WOULD NEED MORE DIAG TIME TO CONFIRM.

 

04-06 ls430s that exhibit these issues usually have broken solder joints in the ecu. Generally the fix if you can't do it yourself is to send the ecu off the SIA electronics. These transmissions rarely fail but do get replaced due to misdiagnosis and a lot of money gets wasted in the process.

Here is a long thread you might like reading about the issue.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-to-1-a-5.html

 

Would avoid a car with such issue(s).

 

If the body were in good shape and it was a well optioned car I wouldn't let it bother me because I know how to fix it.

 

Can you give more detail? I can change my oil and have access to a lift bay with all the tools. The most i've done is change my oil but with access to tools is it something that i can learn and do on my own?

 

You can remove the ecu yourself sure. It's under the hood on the drivers side near the front just a few 10mm bolts to get the cover off and a few more to get it out after you unplug the connectors. Box it up and send it to SIA.

 

Stupid question - obviously I won't be able to drive the car while I do this right?