Can I save my transmission?
05-23-11, 07:16 AM
#16
Lexus Champion
05-23-11, 07:17 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
Summary: 2001 RX300 AWD transmission died. Took out transmission to a local shop to be rebuilt with upgrades. $2000 to rebuild. Shop offered to put the tranny back on the car for an additional $300, all inclusive (fluid, etc.). Will be done next week.
See my earlier post on this thread for details of my transmission problems.
After it was obvious that the transmission was gone in my 2000 RX300, we took the transmission out last week. This is a tough job that requires taking out a lot of components including the engine mount and the frame. I could have never attempted to tackle this if it wasn't for an adventurous and very capable friend.
We were initially going to get a rebuilt transmission from a vendor on ebay (1Stop Transmissions in Peoria, AZ) for $1595 plus $320 for shipping (rebuilt and core) plus $179 for torque converter ($2094 total) which is a pretty good deal. I then found a good deal in a local shop to rebuilt the tranny for $2000 plus $300 for putting it back on and testing to make sure that it works.
I live in Delaware near Philadelphia and 1999-2000 RX300 transmission's design defect is a well known fact by the transmission shops in this area. Both Toyota/Lexus and the after-market transmission part manufacturers apparently have developed upgraded-kits for rebuilding the transmission of these cars.
I will put and update after testing the car with is new transmission next week.
See my earlier post on this thread for details of my transmission problems.
After it was obvious that the transmission was gone in my 2000 RX300, we took the transmission out last week. This is a tough job that requires taking out a lot of components including the engine mount and the frame. I could have never attempted to tackle this if it wasn't for an adventurous and very capable friend.
We were initially going to get a rebuilt transmission from a vendor on ebay (1Stop Transmissions in Peoria, AZ) for $1595 plus $320 for shipping (rebuilt and core) plus $179 for torque converter ($2094 total) which is a pretty good deal. I then found a good deal in a local shop to rebuilt the tranny for $2000 plus $300 for putting it back on and testing to make sure that it works.
I live in Delaware near Philadelphia and 1999-2000 RX300 transmission's design defect is a well known fact by the transmission shops in this area. Both Toyota/Lexus and the after-market transmission part manufacturers apparently have developed upgraded-kits for rebuilding the transmission of these cars.
I will put and update after testing the car with is new transmission next week.
05-26-11, 03:42 PM
#18
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Hello. I am new to the forum. I came across it while trying to find some answers online to a few problems I'm having with my Lexus. I have a 1999 RX 300. We got it second hand. It has manifested some of the symptoms stated on this thread. (slipping and not engaging)
Recently I've noticed a "buzz" noise in the transmission housing. My daughter called me today and told me that while driving the vehicle all of the sudden lost ability to move forward. She pulled over and turned the car off. Sat for a few seconds turned it back on and shift to D. It engaged and moved for a few blocks until it "slipped out" again and thus she had to pull over. The process had to be done several times and all times she was able to put it in drive and move a block or so. She made it home.
I was able to put it in reverse and check out the vehicle. A good friend of mine who has many years working on cars said that indicates it is maybe a solenoid. I just want to pass on what's going on and get some input. He also made mentioned that it may not be a good idea to change out the filter and fluid since the vehicle has 193,000 plus and we can not verify if the filter/fluid has been serviced before.
Thoughts? Please help. Thank you all..
Recently I've noticed a "buzz" noise in the transmission housing. My daughter called me today and told me that while driving the vehicle all of the sudden lost ability to move forward. She pulled over and turned the car off. Sat for a few seconds turned it back on and shift to D. It engaged and moved for a few blocks until it "slipped out" again and thus she had to pull over. The process had to be done several times and all times she was able to put it in drive and move a block or so. She made it home.
I was able to put it in reverse and check out the vehicle. A good friend of mine who has many years working on cars said that indicates it is maybe a solenoid. I just want to pass on what's going on and get some input. He also made mentioned that it may not be a good idea to change out the filter and fluid since the vehicle has 193,000 plus and we can not verify if the filter/fluid has been serviced before.
Thoughts? Please help. Thank you all..
05-26-11, 04:28 PM
#19
Moderator
Transmission is the most complex part of the machinery.
The first thing that needs to be done is to pull out the fluid dip stick and examine the color and smell of the fluid.
Followed by a drain and examination of the particles and if needed drop the pan and examine the filter.
If every thing is clean, then it can be the solenoid. If you have gray stuff all over then some thing broke inside.
Dealership and a good transmission shop may be able to run diagnostic and tell you what electrically has gone wrong.
Good luck
Salim
The first thing that needs to be done is to pull out the fluid dip stick and examine the color and smell of the fluid.
Followed by a drain and examination of the particles and if needed drop the pan and examine the filter.
If every thing is clean, then it can be the solenoid. If you have gray stuff all over then some thing broke inside.
Dealership and a good transmission shop may be able to run diagnostic and tell you what electrically has gone wrong.
Good luck
Salim
05-26-11, 04:30 PM
#20
Your transmission is similar to mine. It maybe the problem of solenoid E (DSL), but transmission noise is really a bad news. The transmission will probably gone soon.
Hello. I am new to the forum. I came across it while trying to find some answers online to a few problems I'm having with my Lexus. I have a 1999 RX 300. We got it second hand. It has manifested some of the symptoms stated on this thread. (slipping and not engaging)
Recently I've noticed a "buzz" noise in the transmission housing. My daughter called me today and told me that while driving the vehicle all of the sudden lost ability to move forward. She pulled over and turned the car off. Sat for a few seconds turned it back on and shift to D. It engaged and moved for a few blocks until it "slipped out" again and thus she had to pull over. The process had to be done several times and all times she was able to put it in drive and move a block or so. She made it home.
I was able to put it in reverse and check out the vehicle. A good friend of mine who has many years working on cars said that indicates it is maybe a solenoid. I just want to pass on what's going on and get some input. He also made mentioned that it may not be a good idea to change out the filter and fluid since the vehicle has 193,000 plus and we can not verify if the filter/fluid has been serviced before.
Thoughts? Please help. Thank you all..
Recently I've noticed a "buzz" noise in the transmission housing. My daughter called me today and told me that while driving the vehicle all of the sudden lost ability to move forward. She pulled over and turned the car off. Sat for a few seconds turned it back on and shift to D. It engaged and moved for a few blocks until it "slipped out" again and thus she had to pull over. The process had to be done several times and all times she was able to put it in drive and move a block or so. She made it home.
I was able to put it in reverse and check out the vehicle. A good friend of mine who has many years working on cars said that indicates it is maybe a solenoid. I just want to pass on what's going on and get some input. He also made mentioned that it may not be a good idea to change out the filter and fluid since the vehicle has 193,000 plus and we can not verify if the filter/fluid has been serviced before.
Thoughts? Please help. Thank you all..
05-27-11, 09:48 PM
#21
Driver School Candidate
Summary: 2001 RX300 AWD transmission died. Took out transmission to a local shop to be rebuilt with upgrades. $2000 to rebuild plus $300 to put tranny back on the car, all inclusive (fluid, etc.). The car runs great with the newly rebuilt transmission. Never ran like this even when it was 2 yrs old when I bought it.
See my earlier posts in this thread for details of my transmission problems.
The local transmission shop rebuilt the tranny for $2000 then installed it for $300. I shopped around in Lexus/Toyota dealerships, national/regional chains in the area (such as benchmark) or small local transmission shops. $2,300 is not cheap but it gives 1-yr or 12,000 miles labor/parts warranty and will drain fluid change filter at 2,000 miles and again at 6,000 miles for free. This was the best deal that I could find in a shop that I felt comfortable that they could do the job right.
Overall I am happy with the decision, $2,300 saved me from buying another car for hopefully several more years.
See my earlier posts in this thread for details of my transmission problems.
The local transmission shop rebuilt the tranny for $2000 then installed it for $300. I shopped around in Lexus/Toyota dealerships, national/regional chains in the area (such as benchmark) or small local transmission shops. $2,300 is not cheap but it gives 1-yr or 12,000 miles labor/parts warranty and will drain fluid change filter at 2,000 miles and again at 6,000 miles for free. This was the best deal that I could find in a shop that I felt comfortable that they could do the job right.
Overall I am happy with the decision, $2,300 saved me from buying another car for hopefully several more years.
05-28-11, 12:46 PM
#22
Dindih,
I think you did great, especially by making sure it's rebuilt with "updates". I'm no expert, but I would definately have transmission service performed (not flushed) at least every other year (like any other car you plan to keep for a long time. Many assume the dealer's profitable "reccommended service" includes the transmission, but they'd rather sell expensive oil changes, and get you back for the repair work.
I think you did great, especially by making sure it's rebuilt with "updates". I'm no expert, but I would definately have transmission service performed (not flushed) at least every other year (like any other car you plan to keep for a long time. Many assume the dealer's profitable "reccommended service" includes the transmission, but they'd rather sell expensive oil changes, and get you back for the repair work.
05-29-11, 12:30 AM
#23
Advanced
Thread Starter
I broke down again.... I dropped pan and pulled filter out on side of road and got myself going again seems i might need to buy a new filter as i have been just washing out the one i had.
05-29-11, 06:51 AM
#24
Moderator
Salim
05-30-11, 01:52 AM
#25
Advanced
Thread Starter
I can take my pan off without removing any other parts. I am looking to be able to fix it roadside like i did yesterday whenever required. I am not interested in paying for a tow truck or a mechanic when i have 2 hands and a head that works. I can't always wash it out on side of road unless in suburbs as lucky to find a tap there is a lot of bush between properties i would need to walk for miles just to find a tap so need to be more prepared than that.
Even Sydney has a lot of bushland surrounding the city i would need to walk a long way if i broke down between built up areas. The local Toyota price was around $250 i fell over at price and just ignored it knowing i could buy after market so i bought 2 filters for $80 delivered to Australia from US.
05-30-11, 07:38 AM
#26
Moderator
I still think you can keep reusing the meal screen (as long as it is structurally sound).
I even heard that Lexus did away with metal screen and standard issue is a fiber. Was this done to cut the cost or improve filtration or add on a repeat service .... I dont know.
There is one bit of advice I have ... never expose the innards of transmission to dirt.
Salim
I even heard that Lexus did away with metal screen and standard issue is a fiber. Was this done to cut the cost or improve filtration or add on a repeat service .... I dont know.
There is one bit of advice I have ... never expose the innards of transmission to dirt.
Salim
05-31-11, 08:30 AM
#27
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Part of your problem could be that you are washing the filter out with water. 
I would not get H20 near the filter. Use a quality carb or brake cleaner. Part of what the cleaner does is to break the electro-chemical bond of the metal and gunk in the filter.
Just a thought
I would not get H20 near the filter. Use a quality carb or brake cleaner. Part of what the cleaner does is to break the electro-chemical bond of the metal and gunk in the filter.Just a thought
06-03-11, 11:13 PM
#28
Advanced
Thread Starter
Ok i broke down again this time i got it home and cleaned filter out with some petrol but now i have reverse and that is it. Thee car wont go into forward gear.
What should i look at next.
What should i look at next.
06-04-11, 12:30 AM
#29
Advanced
Thread Starter
I removed and cleaned the speed sensors no change still only reverse.
Wondering what solenoids i can get to and clean? How many are in the pan?
I am wondering about removing the filter altogether tomorrow just to see if i can't get it to move in drive.
Wondering what solenoids i can get to and clean? How many are in the pan?
I am wondering about removing the filter altogether tomorrow just to see if i can't get it to move in drive.
Last edited by Australian; 06-04-11 at 04:54 AM.
