I have a '00 RX300 AWD that I picked up at a very good price. It's a high milage vehicle with 146K on it, exceptionally good shape inside and out. Looks like it's been taken good care of and garage kept. Drives and shifts smoothly. The only issue I have is a louder than normal whine from the transmission when accelerating in low gear. I have had the trans drained, new filter, and fluids. (no power flush) Is the whine on higher milage RX's normal? or should I be very concerned. I factored in the cost of a new tranny in the purchase price, so I can go that route if needed and still be money ahead, but would much rather hang on to the money.

 

The whine is not normal....If you do follow the path to tranny time have an independent do it, You will save at least a thousand dollars...price probably between 2300 to 3000, but a lot cheaper than lexus at 4300...Good luck and welcome to the forum...

 

I recently took my RX300 for its 60K and while I was there I to mentioned then about this whine. And got an answer of " Its normal on the RX300's " My whine is heard when shifting from 1-2gear after that its gone. Also I diconnected the battery for about 1hr and that seemed to lower the whine sound a bit. Its not like its loud but I hear it the most when its cold out side in the 30-50 degrees weather.

 

Guess you lost me on the disconnecting the battery thing. I know there is a lot of electronics involved in transmissions these days, so what does the disconnect do?

 

To me the car runs smoother when the battery is disconnected for an hour or so. The reason I disconnected the battery in the first place was because I was not getting the power I used to remember in terms of accelerating. Eventho I was focusing on the acceleration, not the whine- I did notice that the whine sound was less noticeble.

 

That is not true. There is very little electronics (actually electric) in it. Three shift solenoids, pressure regulator, temperature sensor and 2 speed sensors.

If general malfunction is detected the ECM will disable 4th gear or keep the transmission in default gear (3rd). If shift solenoid malfunction is detected:
- Solenoid A: No 1st gear (starts with 2nd, low RPM, feels like loss of power)
- Solenoid B: No 2nd gear (goes from 1st to 3rd, high RPM and very sharp jerk)
- Both A & B: No 1st and 2nd (starts with 3rd, very ugly feeling)
- Solenoid D: No 4th gear (no overdrive, RPM > 3000 at 65 mph)
Disconnecting the battery will reset ECM.

 

Thanks for the information on the "electrics" of the tranny. Good stuff to know if mine starts to act up. Aside from the whine, all is working well. My mechanic did say that there was more than expected metal in the pan, but then for 146K, he was not sure it was so unusual. Will drive it for a while and then decide what to do. Just hate to get stranded on the side of a road away from home and have to deal with a dealership for repairs.

 

Offtopic:
I would really recommend to take your RX to a mechanic and open up the head cover on front bank of the engine and inspect it for sludge. If it is there, make some photos of it and take it to a Lexus dealer and tell them fix it or to replace engine for free. Your engine (1MZ-FE) is covered against Oil Sludge for 8 years from the date of original purchase, under recent settlement.
Mine died at 149K because of Oil Sludge.
Are you getting any CELs (Check Engine Light)?

 

No CEL's. All is quite. (quiet before the storm) I think the "cold start sensor" if that is what you can call it acts up every now and again. Wants to die when first starting if you start it, then shut it off to run into the house because you forgot something, and then restart it. Sounds like I need to check out the sludge issue soon.

 

Man, this "Engine Dies After Starting" question pops up on this forum at least every week. You need to clean/replace Idle Air Control Valve and Mass Airflow Sensor. Search forum for "IACV".
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=287007

 

I have read them also. The darn thing hasn't acted up in a long while so I forgot about it. But then wouldn't you know, it did it yesterday morning again. Thanks for the reminder on what to look for/fix.

 

by the way if the tranny goes take it to an independent, it is a lot cheaper than the dealership (probably 1k to 2k cheaper) . Lexus will charge you $4300 and that is a rebuilt tranny, they do not rebuild them they order them.