Trans Shift Problem
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3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Trans Shift Problem
Hello, can someone offer some help please...my 2002 RX300 (FWD) is having some transmission shifting problems, only when FULLY WARMED UP. It is sticking in 1st gear and shifting hard/jerks hard at just about 2k-2.5k rpm when it wants to shift into 2nd gear, this also occurs when shifting 2nd-3rd gear. 3rd-4th gear is perfectly smooth and she runs perfectly at highway speeds. This is baffling because I can't pick up any codes with OBD2 reader. Anybody experience this before in their Lexus RX? Somehow found the culprit?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 608
Likes: 131
From: Indiana
I've owned mine for 4 years and have put 100,000 miles on it. The transmission has shifted oddly since I got it. When the car is cold it hangs in each gear until it warms up (especially from 2nd to 3rd). The colder it is outside, the more noticeable it is. Also, when I slow down and turn onto our street (or other similar situations), as I accelerate again, it always jerks into 1st or second (which ever gear is required). It performs brilliantly in all other aspects. I have changed the transmission fluid several times and the filter twice as a preventative measure, but it never changed the shift characteristics. I would suggest you check the fluid level and condition (smell & color). You might change the fluid and filter unless of course you have record of it being done recently. I've learned to live with it and let it do its thing. It's getting colder here now and I noticed it hanging in second when I drove it today. By the time I get to the second stop sign on our street it shifts fine, but I take it easy until then.Just be easy with it until you figure things out.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,559
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
Welcome to Club Lexus. Please read the sticky threads.
Fit1too has given excellent suggestions.
For my understanding, please share if the you and the RX are new to each other? If not, then did the behavior change recently?
If the RX is new to you, RX is designed to lockout higher gear to help warm up the transmission + engine to operating temperature. If you idle the engine to warm up, it will only heat up the engine and not the transmission. Owner manual suggests that you start the engine [let the oil flow ... happens by the time to buckle up and check all gauges] and drive. Our collective suggestion is to keep the RPM below 3K till the coolant temp reaches 1/2 way point [normal operating temperature].
Salim
Fit1too has given excellent suggestions.
For my understanding, please share if the you and the RX are new to each other? If not, then did the behavior change recently?
If the RX is new to you, RX is designed to lockout higher gear to help warm up the transmission + engine to operating temperature. If you idle the engine to warm up, it will only heat up the engine and not the transmission. Owner manual suggests that you start the engine [let the oil flow ... happens by the time to buckle up and check all gauges] and drive. Our collective suggestion is to keep the RPM below 3K till the coolant temp reaches 1/2 way point [normal operating temperature].
Salim
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Jerky Tranny Shifts
Thanks for the replies. However, my symptoms are opposite of what's described in your responses. My tranny actually shifts GOOD when cold but BAD when hot...what do you guys make of that? Any ideas?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,559
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
If you can answer:
For my understanding, please share if the you and the RX are new to each other? If not, then did the behavior change recently?
Also check transmission fluid level. Parked on level surface, engine running.
Salim
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Hey Salim, thanks for your response. Yeah, I just picked her up about a month ago. The symptoms are inherited from the previous owner. The guy I bought it from did a basic drain & fill with filter. I went ahead and drain & filled it again 2x more so the fluid is clean and at proper levels.
The most baffling thing is that she 1. goes into gear fine 2. runs good when cold 3. shifts good during 3rd - 4th gear 4. runs good at highway speeds.
The problems are AFTER THE TRANS IS WARMED UP, at low speed, it will 1. stick in 1st gear too long 2. jerks/bangs into second gear 3. same thing happens during 2nd - 3rd gear shifts. Your thoughts please?
The most baffling thing is that she 1. goes into gear fine 2. runs good when cold 3. shifts good during 3rd - 4th gear 4. runs good at highway speeds.
The problems are AFTER THE TRANS IS WARMED UP, at low speed, it will 1. stick in 1st gear too long 2. jerks/bangs into second gear 3. same thing happens during 2nd - 3rd gear shifts. Your thoughts please?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,559
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
Thank you for the update. Hopefully you have the right transmission fluid.
My suggestion would be to take it to transmission shop or even dealership. Dealership will charge you diagnosis fee and can confirm right software update/patch. With advanced communication tools they can hopefully figure out what is happening.
Salim
My suggestion would be to take it to transmission shop or even dealership. Dealership will charge you diagnosis fee and can confirm right software update/patch. With advanced communication tools they can hopefully figure out what is happening.
Salim
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