I've had my 2000 RX300 sitting in my driveway for 8 years, because one day while driving home from work, the transmission wouldn't leave first gear, so I parked it, and got a used ES.

Since then, I've told a friend about the problems with it, and he told me that some RX's had an electrical problem that can put the car into something called "Limp Home Mode," in which the car thinks it had been in an accident, and does what it can to get you home one last time. He also told me that removing all the power from the system resets the computer, and takes it out of this mode.

It having been 4 years (then) since the last time it had been started, I knew that the battery must be dead. I tried to jump start it, but the starter motor wouldn't even try.

A year ago, I learned, from an accidental experience with my ES, that Lexus' do not allow you turn turn on the engine if the car is not in park. More recently, I learned about the button that allows the shifter to move without turning on the car.

I found that button in my old RX, and used it to move the shifter out of park. Lo and behold, of all the gears to get stuck in, it fell into drive, no further, no less. I force the shifter back into park, then tried again to jump start the car.

It started, albeit with the engine sounding unhealthy (probably due to old fuel), and I tried to put it in gear. The shifter moved freely, but it didn't at all register with the transmission. If just moved around, the car staying in park. What should I do? How can I get the shifter to work properly?

 

Welcome to CL.

There is linkage between the transmission and the gear lever. May be that is broken.

I would suggest charge the battery first. Then insert the ignition key and turn it to run position (one short of start). Now apply the brake and shift the gear lever while some one can see the linkage move from below [just make sure that you do that without the engine running].

The release you mentioned, is to override the need to press the brake pedal.

Salim

 

Right below the gear level column, or the transmission?

 

I would also empty the tank and put fresh gas before starting the engine.

 

If the gear-box lever moves with every step of the shifter movement, then you need to trace the shift_lever end. I have only come across on post where the member posted about the problem at the shifter end.

Salim

 

Alright, so I did that, and I saw nothing. Nothing below the car, nothing in the engine compartment. How can I get past the plastic/leather bit that's below the shifter?

 

I am looking for the post but have not found it yet.

For the time being you can refer to these pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/11062...CL2vsJeU7o-HGw