my friends 2001 GS 300 is at quite a high RPM when driving. at 60mph, he's at like 4,500RPM. the check engine light is on, and the VSC light is on. so is this an ECU problem or tranny problem? how much does it cost to reset the ecu, and how much for a new ecu? would toyota(not lexus) dealerships be able to at least scan the computer, if not fix it? its got 34,000 miles. thanks in advance

 

That sounds similar to my problem. I've got a thread called "Transmission shifting too late" going in the Maintenance forum.

My car is also shifting gears really late at high speed; however, my Check Light and VSC lights aren't coming on. Try seeing what's been posted on my thread I mentioned above. I would probably have the dealer or a good mechanic check what the engine's diagnosing as "Check Light."

Hope that helps; let me know what happens because maybe I have the same issue. I'll let you know what happens with my transmission.

Andrew

 

well the problem isn't late shifting, its as if its not shifting past like 4th gear at all. highway speeds, he's still at high RPMs, regardless of how long he drives for.

 

Try resetting the ECU. Pull the ECU fuse out for about an hour and put it back in.

 

Just to make sure that he is in D mode and not in 4th, 1 left click away right?

When I was driving, I accidentally hit it in 4th (no overdrive) and hence the higher rpm.

And for 01 GS300 with e-shift that he is not in M mode without shifting.

Pull out the fuse first like what gsteg said.

A local auto parts store can run a code check for him possibly for free if he wants to head out there first.

 

which fuse is the ecu? and how about the vsc one?

also, yes, the car is on 'D' and not in steptronic mode.

 

has he kept proper maintenancewith on his tranny? my friend with a rx300 had this same problem until i told him to change his tranny fluid

 

and make sure if the tranny fluid is changed, to use the type that is made for the lexus gs3. or add the friction modifier to the oil