RX300 Won't Reverse!
 

Hi all,

First time posting (though I've used the forum for several DIY throughout the past couple years).

I have a 2001 RX300 Silversport Edition with 215k miles and no engine codes. The other day I put it in reverse and it acted as though it was in neutral. After manually backing up, I put it in drive and drove home. However it wouldn't change gears from first to second. Putting it in Low or 2nd gear didn't help either. I replaced the transmission fluid and filter, and cleaned off all magnets and both drain plugs. Yet, it didn't help...

After reading several threads about these transmissions and how they "go bad" at 90k miles and whatnot. I'm losing faith... Can anyone help? Thanks!

The problems you describe are what I experienced when my transmission failed at about 115K.

Thanks for your reply! That's what I was afraid of. Is rebuilding the transmission worth it? Could it be a bad solenoid?

I believe the general consensus is that none of the local transmission shops can do it; you will probably have to get a remanufactured unit from Toyota/Lexus. Thats what I did. Solenoid probably not the explanation.

Ok, thanks for your help! Looks like I'm going to be dropping some serious cash on it.

I would check with some independent transmission shops, however I would check their record ie better business bureau, former customers, etc.

bad transmission. any symptoms before the initial failure?

Nope, I drove it to the store just fine. It shifted beautifully on the way there, as if nothing was wrong. No mis-shifts or slippage. After I ran my errands I went back to my car and started it up, put it in reverse, and attempted to back out. However, it acted as though it was in neutral. So I manually pushed my car into the street, hopped in it and put it in drive and took off. But then it wouldn't shift into second gear. I found a "reputable" trans shop, so I'm taking it there to have it looked at. Most likely going to have a rebuild done. Figured most "new" transmissions out there are remanufactured, so why not have someone remanufacture mine. Even the transmissions (and alternators) at the Lexus dealership here are almost all remanufactured. Thoughts?

A better question to ask is what is the maintenance history?

It has been serviced every 5k, 15k, and 30k miles in accordance to the maintenance book either by Lexus or myself. Hence why the first major issue I've come across is at 215k miles, as opposed to many other postings on CL about the RX300 transmissions (i.e. failing at 67k, 85k, 90k, 115k, 120k, 165k miles). I drove it to an independent transmission shop yesteryear evening. They should get back to me today, I'll keep you all posted! Thanks for all the postings and advice!

good luck, by the way if you think about it not a bad mileage before the failure....

Hi all,

Lexus will fix the transmission for $3200, the independent shop we took it to originally quoted us $4200... Does anyone know how much I could trade it in for without a working transmission? Trying to just scrap the thing. Again it is a 2001 RX300 Silversport with 215k miles and no working transmission. Hoping to get $1500 for it, thoughts?

Why dont you keep the car and part it out you will make way more money that way :-)

maybe opt for a used tranny out of a wrecking yard....

I would do that. Usually a breaker yard will be willing to go for a seven day exchange arrangement.
Gives you plenty of time to drop it in and test it in the car. Once went for that on an Alfa Romeo and got a sweet one for a song.