Anyone experience a high pitch (not tires) noise on hard acceleration from a standing start or on entering highway from 30mph? When I floor the accelerator, the sound is not unlike a belt slipping on a pulley, like a power steering pump in the old days. It seems to originate from beneath the car, so my instinct tells me it may the the tranny/converter. It continues over two gears, then stops and the drive becomes normal. It never happened prior to now. This obviously impacts the accel...

Any ideas?

 

You say it never happend prior to now? Just out of curiosity, how many times have you put the pedal to the metal? I can see if you need to pass or something however it sounds like you do it alot. Not flaming just wondering.

 

I would say it's the transmission slipping. Mine has slipped a couple of times. The tech says the transmission is a high/low transmission and sometimes it can get mixed up. Let us know what you find out... There is a software update for the transmission TSIB that is either out now or will be out soon...

Craig

 

Like I implied, it has happened twice already; the second time was a demonstration to see if my wife heard it, the next time will be at my service appointment two months from now. In normal situations, I accelerate gradually but with confident determination. No different than I've ever driven before with my Acuras; never happened there. The first time I heard it was coming on to a ramp with traffic moving agressively on the left, and a half-dozen cars following me closely on the ramp. So I booted it, and it got me to where I wanted, in spite of the screech. I'm not anxious to abuse this baby, not for the money I shelled out to get it. As for the number of times I have booted this car, I would guess a dozen times or so. Nevertheless, I am realistic and expect some quirks with this new design anyway.

Your suggestion makes good sense Craig...

 

Sounds like the torque convertor.

 

I think so. The transmission fluid may be cavitating under pressure which would likely cause that kind of noise. Thanks!

 

Funny, I just hit the gas.

I guess I'm just a simple guy.

 

Burnaby, I am getting the same thing (now that the car is broken in a little and I am starting to floor it)...did you get the issue resolved?

 

My LS is in the shop now and one of the items they will check is the screeching. The major items are the front side windows replacement from tempered to laminated glass, similar to the LWB. I'll let you know how this all pans out. They initially said one day in the shop, to which I grinned, knowing what we know in here. It went in Thursday, and they are now projecting next Tuesday.

I think this isuue will surface with others as well as it is a new design; however I am very satisfied with its performance thus far other than this quirk.

 

My car goes in tomorrow for a key-card and I will mention the screech to the techs.

 

My car has been road-tested for this issue, but while they were able to replicate it, the techs don't have an answer yet. I will get an update when I pick it up sometime this week, I hope.

 

Burnaby, I just picked up the car from JP Lexus. They set up a key card for me but I also took a tech (George) on a test drive onto the Upper Levels. We heard the sound.

Their diagnosis was indeed a glazed serpentine belt, indicating a faulty belt tensioner (which they say they confirmed). They have ordered in replacements for both. Hope this is the fix, not just them fulfilling my own theory.

VL

 

Sounds logical, as my first instinct told me it sounded like a slipping power steering belt, even though that system is now electric. Thanks for the update; I imagine they will tell me the same thing - haven't heard from them yet though...

I want my car back

 

Looks like the serpentine belt may not be the culprit after all. I spoke with Dale today, and the screech is the final item that is keeping my LS in JP Lexus' shop. Evidently, Lexus Corp is actively working on the problem, and it has occupied them throughout this week. Better call Dale for an update; seems he wasn't aware that you were in while this was unfolding. I get this eerie feeling I'm going to get a new tranny before too long.

All the other items are taken care of, but August 22nd seems so long ago since I brought it in...

 

Good news! My tech called me to tell me they had solved this mysterious phenomena. Seems some air was venting into the transmission on hard accelerations through the "vent tube" - I'll get better details later. Nevertheless, it was a simple fix, so if anyone is experiencing this problem, fear not as I had, it's a very simple in-house fix.