transmission failure RX300
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Driver School Candidate
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From: CA
transmission failure RX300
The transmission on my 2000 RX300 just failed (behaves as if in neutral in all gear shift positions) after 95,000 miles. Seems to be a common problem. One responder on another site wrote that he was able to reverse the failure by cleaning the transmission screen filter, flushing out the old fluid, and using TRANSMATIC to thin the transmission fluid. Has anyone else had success with this? It might save me 4000 dollars.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
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From: Miami, Florida
I have heard of some transmisson additives mentioned.
I don't think this will work. The only thing I would suggest at this moment is to have whoever is working on it drop the transmission pan and see if there is an accumulation on the magnets and if the screen (we call it the tranny filter) has anything in it.
If pieces have broken off they could be flying around all the little gears and other internal parts of the tranny, and definitely that tranny won't move.
I don't think this will work. The only thing I would suggest at this moment is to have whoever is working on it drop the transmission pan and see if there is an accumulation on the magnets and if the screen (we call it the tranny filter) has anything in it.
If pieces have broken off they could be flying around all the little gears and other internal parts of the tranny, and definitely that tranny won't move.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 573
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From: Vaughan, Canada
trani woes
Please provide more details:
trani service history?
type of fluid used in trani - to your knowledge?
level of fluid when problem manifested itself?
colour of fluid?
Etc...
This will not only help you better diagnose your own problem, as it will give other CL members an indication of the propensity for future problems of their own.
trani service history?
type of fluid used in trani - to your knowledge?
level of fluid when problem manifested itself?
colour of fluid?
Etc...
This will not only help you better diagnose your own problem, as it will give other CL members an indication of the propensity for future problems of their own.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
Where my arrows are pointing at is a little water I poured on the top of the tranny just before I took it out on the track. There are some gaps where it can settle as in this photo below.
If the water boils, I know I have issues with the ATF fluid. My uncle does a similar thing with other vehicles. I had this happen once a few years ago before I started taking the RX to the track, and we promptly changed the fluid (this was also when I was using Lexus' transmission schedule not the more intensive one I use now).
This is tougher for the majority of you since you have the airbox on top but even if you pour a little water to the left of the airbox, you can hear it pop or sizzle if there is an issue.
If the water boils, I know I have issues with the ATF fluid. My uncle does a similar thing with other vehicles. I had this happen once a few years ago before I started taking the RX to the track, and we promptly changed the fluid (this was also when I was using Lexus' transmission schedule not the more intensive one I use now).
This is tougher for the majority of you since you have the airbox on top but even if you pour a little water to the left of the airbox, you can hear it pop or sizzle if there is an issue.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
When the fluid gets old of course its properties can't keep the tranny as cool as before, therefore the interior of the tranny gets hotter. Thus, just like pouring water on a hot pan, pouring water on the top of the tranny when the fluid is in this condition will result in sizzling or boiling. Sometimes it is just minor (but you don't want that either).
Well, with regard to flushing, only time I would recommend that is when the fluid is silvery/pinkish. This is when too many particles are in the fluid and a drain and fill may get a good portion out (if you do the 3 drain and fills like I do), but the flush will get out particles that tend to subside in the areas of the tranny other than the tranny pan and filter. Thus, a flush in this case would be an excellent idea. I did this once with the Naples, Fl Lexus dealer (Germain) and my RX just loved it.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: ca
failed transmission
I had the same problem and had to purchase a new transmission. I ordered the wrong transmission for my car and am now trying to sell it. It is a 200 Lexus rx300 2 wheel trive transmission for $1700.00. the transmission only has 75,000 miles. If interested please email at shorty5106@hotmail.com.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: CA
I had my 01 RX300 2WD failed transmission last week ago. 103750 miles on it. I asked my local auto repair shop. Transmission overhaul cost me $2100. Pay cash. I felt pissed off for Lexus uses low quailty transmission stupid borrow from an old Camry. Really mad.
Rookie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 55
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From: OH
Is there any more or less failures from the 2wd tranny's vs the AWD tranny's? This issue is really starting to scare me as I would rather get rid of the car than face a $3,000 bill. How many vehicles with 100,000 miles do not have failing tranny's?
Driver
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Maryland
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: CO
After having read several posts I am tending to agree that the issue seems to be related to heat and thus vehicles with transmission coolers would be less likely to have a failure. Is this consistent with what other people have seen?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Philippines
Guys, I need some clarification from you. What is the real cause of tranny failure then?
a. Overheating tranny
b. Magnetic particles, metals and sludges
c. Old sticky ATF (not maintained ATF)
d. Driving habits
e. Age and mileage of the car
e. or is it the design of the tranny itself?
Although each can be a result of the other, maybe we can more or less pinpoint where we had lapses which will lead to the total failure. It gets really scary especially when one is out of town with the family. I have 68T 1998 Harrier but I dont feel anything wrong in my tranny, none the least, in fact it is much better than my 2003 Mercedes Benz ML450. I change ATF every 5k on both.
a. Overheating tranny
b. Magnetic particles, metals and sludges
c. Old sticky ATF (not maintained ATF)
d. Driving habits
e. Age and mileage of the car
e. or is it the design of the tranny itself?
Although each can be a result of the other, maybe we can more or less pinpoint where we had lapses which will lead to the total failure. It gets really scary especially when one is out of town with the family. I have 68T 1998 Harrier but I dont feel anything wrong in my tranny, none the least, in fact it is much better than my 2003 Mercedes Benz ML450. I change ATF every 5k on both.
Last edited by Lexusprime; Nov 6, 2006 at 10:44 PM. Reason: addition