The wifes 2001 RX 300 has had several issues. I will list them and beg for solutions.
Here we go......

1. Transmission has acted up 3 times in a month, and not on a regular bases(first time it happened she put it in reverse and it didn't move....the next 2 times she was at a light and when it turned green she pushed on pedal and she said it felt like she was pulling a semi trk for a couple of feet then worked fine. It hasn't acted up in a week)

2. She has the "light symbol out" on her instrument panel(indicating a park, turn or stop light is out), and there are no lights out that we can find.

3. Engine light, Trac, VSC lights come on and go off by themselves.



Now, can there be a remote possibility that all these happen because of a grounding problem? You could take one problem at a time and diagnose it, but is there a common problem here?

If someone thinks that it could be a grounding problem, what grounds should I start with(besides battery)?

If they are indeed separate, any solutions on the problems. Im afraid the first(if not a ground problem) is a new or rebuilt trans. The second one.......I no idea. And on the third one, we cant get to Oreillys or Advanced before the check engine lights go off.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
David

 

Not a ground issue.

I'd start with the transmission issue first. These are the symptoms of a failing transmission based on what I've read on this forum. I'd seriously considering changing the fluid immediately and checking for metal shavings.

For the second issue, did you check the third brake light? A lot of times, it is overlooked.

For the third issue, check for any pending codes.

 

Are you suggesting drop the filter and add fluid or drain the entire 11 quarts(I think)

Yes, we have checked every bulb imaginable. My wife even thought "that one looks dark but still works so its gonna go out". Gotta love women! I told her that even though its a nice vehicle, it can't the future(as in a bulb "is about to go out")

 

David, your wife is right about a bulb being on it's LAST legs when they turn dark. In automotive work I had a habit of doing one thing before I ever buttoned a light back up. Take the bulb FIRMLY in thumb and forefinger. Give it up to 4 good "thumps" with your middle finger (other hand obviously). IF the bulb is weak that will break the filament. If it doesn't break at 4, it's good to go. I GUARANTEE the bulb filament will not break doing this if it is not short lived. The "light out" light is sensitive and sometimes is even finicky about the bulb you put in (correct # but maybe doesn't read just the right ohms or something). I have experienced this myself. David, there may be an apology in your future.

 

I'm thinking you should drop the pan, clean the magnets, if it's a metal screen filter than clean it and put it back. IF it's a paper filter, than replace it. You will need about 5 quarts of ATF.

 

Hello Roger,

I agree with the "darkening" of the buld but is the computer that smart to know the filament in the bulb "about" to go out?

Thanks guys for the help. I'll try dropping pan and changing filter

 

The sensor is designed to measure expected current.

Salim

 

Also, once the light bulb warning light gets triggered, it will stay on until you shut the car off.

So even if a bulb 'starts working' again after the light gets triggered, it will stay on.

This happened to me last year - every time I went to check which bulb was out, they all worked.

Finally I was able to determine which bulb had the problem.


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That's the problem....I've replaced about 3 bulbs that "appeared" dark but still worked and the warning light won't clear. I even took off battery terminals for about 10 mins to see if that would "clear" the light on the dash

 

Usually its the brake light (third light assembly) it may have burned contacts where the bulb is plugged in and intermittently working. As for the transmission it will take 4.2 qts.

 

Ok....thank you all! NOW..........who has a rebuilt trans just sitting around their shop looking for a good home

 

David, re-read my post, it's not counterfeit, you can take it to the bank. I have experienced it on the RX. Drove me nuts for a while because they all were on. Once I went through and changed all the bulbs one by one, the problem was gone. I have literally thumped 1000's of bulbs, it works! I would rather change on my schedule than the bulbs. Don't kid yourself and put a dark bulb back in, it's on a short string. A good bulb WILL NOT break when thumped (good and hard) and a weak bulb will always break by the 4th thump. Chase your tail if you wish but that's what dogs do, not people.

(never had a single bulb glass break yet from good hard thumping)

 

But I've had one break by closing my rear hatch too hard...

 

Every time? Or only when it was old and weak?

Salim

 

It only happened once. Probably 5-6 years ago - so either a defective or weak bulb. It was quite a surprise to find shattered glass when I went to pull out the bulb...