Help! Transmission Failure symptoms
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Help! Transmission Failure symptoms
I am the original owner of a 2000 Rx300 AWD with about 95K. Most maintence has been done at the dealer at prescribed intervals. No towing or off-roading - generally its just been the family car for me and my wife.
Recently the car had a tendency to kind of lurch when applying the gas in reverse. The car would hesitate as if the emergency brake was on and suddenly released. Afterwards it would appear to drive normally. Last Saturday I felt like the transmission was slipping on upshifts in Drive. This was at highway speeds.
Today I tried backing the car on my street (about a 5 degree incline) and had no reverse at all ( as if it was in Neutral). After dinner I drove to a near by school and it seemed to work OK reversing on level ground and on a slope.
Per Lexus guidelines the transfluid has never been changed.
My questions are:
1. Do these symptoms sound typical for an incipient Transmission failure?
2. Is there any point to changing the ATF and filter now?
Any experiences or suggestions the group has would be welcome.
Thanks,
Jim
Recently the car had a tendency to kind of lurch when applying the gas in reverse. The car would hesitate as if the emergency brake was on and suddenly released. Afterwards it would appear to drive normally. Last Saturday I felt like the transmission was slipping on upshifts in Drive. This was at highway speeds.
Today I tried backing the car on my street (about a 5 degree incline) and had no reverse at all ( as if it was in Neutral). After dinner I drove to a near by school and it seemed to work OK reversing on level ground and on a slope.
Per Lexus guidelines the transfluid has never been changed.
My questions are:
1. Do these symptoms sound typical for an incipient Transmission failure?
2. Is there any point to changing the ATF and filter now?
Any experiences or suggestions the group has would be welcome.
Thanks,
Jim
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 22
From: Virginia
What you describe is exactly how my 1999 RX300 felt shortly before the tranny failed at about 116K. Probably no point in changing the ATF now - the damage has probably been done - but what do you have to lose?
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
Do not do a flush... If all maintenance was done at Lexus, I would ask for a goodwill replacement, especially since they did not recommend tranny fluid changes, and they know they have a problem. Treat them firmly, politely, and ask about a good will repair of the transmission.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
I guess, first you have to take your RX in to the dealership for diagnosis.
I assume you have checked the trans-fluid level ... engine/transmission hot, level surface, engine running.
Salim
I assume you have checked the trans-fluid level ... engine/transmission hot, level surface, engine running.
Salim
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Thanks for the quick replies guys. Its time for an oil change and tuneup anyway so I will have the dealer assess the transmission at that time. Probably will spring for a drain and refill and a new transmission filter.
Again many thanks. This is a great forum!
Jim
Again many thanks. This is a great forum!
Jim
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
I am the original owner of a 2000 Rx300 AWD with about 95K. Most maintence has been done at the dealer at prescribed intervals. No towing or off-roading - generally its just been the family car for me and my wife.
Recently the car had a tendency to kind of lurch when applying the gas in reverse. The car would hesitate as if the emergency brake was on and suddenly released. Afterwards it would appear to drive normally. Last Saturday I felt like the transmission was slipping on upshifts in Drive. This was at highway speeds.
Today I tried backing the car on my street (about a 5 degree incline) and had no reverse at all ( as if it was in Neutral). After dinner I drove to a near by school and it seemed to work OK reversing on level ground and on a slope.
Per Lexus guidelines the transfluid has never been changed.
My questions are:
1. Do these symptoms sound typical for an incipient Transmission failure?
2. Is there any point to changing the ATF and filter now?
Any experiences or suggestions the group has would be welcome.
Thanks,
Jim
Recently the car had a tendency to kind of lurch when applying the gas in reverse. The car would hesitate as if the emergency brake was on and suddenly released. Afterwards it would appear to drive normally. Last Saturday I felt like the transmission was slipping on upshifts in Drive. This was at highway speeds.
Today I tried backing the car on my street (about a 5 degree incline) and had no reverse at all ( as if it was in Neutral). After dinner I drove to a near by school and it seemed to work OK reversing on level ground and on a slope.
Per Lexus guidelines the transfluid has never been changed.
My questions are:
1. Do these symptoms sound typical for an incipient Transmission failure?
2. Is there any point to changing the ATF and filter now?
Any experiences or suggestions the group has would be welcome.
Thanks,
Jim
Last edited by lexus114; May 20, 2009 at 07:19 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
As Lexus114 said drop the pan, see what is going on, and cross your fingers. Maybe you will luck out. As for the filter unless you have had it serviced it could be the original wire mesh screen. The replacement would be a paper element.
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Is this "paper filter" dealer or aftermarket? I keep hearing of this replacement "paper filter". I going to change mine soon, is there a difference between the paper and screen filter, obviously one is paper and one is a metal screen, but is one better than the other?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: VT
Had similar problems as you are describing 2 years ago with my RX300 AWD 2000. Lexus changed the transmission under warranty because they knew they had had problems. Now 2 years have passed and I have similar symptoms. Took the car in to a transmission specialist and he said to have the ECM checked out. It turns out he was correct, the dealer is also under the impression that it could be the ECM. It seems they have had problems with the ECM's on Toyota Rav 4 and Lexus RX300 as their transmissions are quite similar. Think about it when you go to your dealer.
regards
regards
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
It has a better flow with the screen filter vs.paper.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
I seem to remember reading somewhere, I don't remember where, that the mesh screen can still be purchased as a Toyota replacement part.
I'm partial to mesh filter screens, but then my dear old Mercedes had a mesh screen (oil bath) engine air filter.
I'm partial to mesh filter screens, but then my dear old Mercedes had a mesh screen (oil bath) engine air filter.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
About two years ago now,I replaced my paper filter (the woman that had the RX before me had all the maintenance done at the dealer) with a mesh one I got from Car Parts. I must have gotten lucky or something,I dont know.I did notice a definite shift improvement after the change.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
It could be:
1) the wire mesh was letting too much go through. [improvement driven change].
2) Non-metal screen filter is cheaper but works well or well-enough. [cost reduction driven change].
The screen can be cleaned and re-used.
Salim
1) the wire mesh was letting too much go through. [improvement driven change].
2) Non-metal screen filter is cheaper but works well or well-enough. [cost reduction driven change].
The screen can be cleaned and re-used.
Salim