Nothing wrong with double checking the work, but the symptoms don't look like engine related at this time.

Salim

 

I will try to get the live data later today and post it.

Thanks
Bob

 

Hi Margate330
I am going out to get the data you asked for but just to let you know the scanner I have is a older Actron that is about 20+ years old trying to get ahold of another one and am looking to purchase a new one. If you have any suggestions for a new one that would be great. I work mainly on brakes and suspension on the side and only do driveablity on mine and family cars so I need one that will do engine, transmission, ABS, SRS, and resets for all. Just don't want to break the bank.

 

Hi everyone,
I hope this post will help someone else out that has this issue. I would like to thank Salim and Margate330 for their help with this problem. So here is what I did to fix the shift problem. Drive it. It seems to me that when I disconnected the battery and ran a jumper between the positive cable and ground cable the computer lost its programing. After driving about 40 miles total and not all at the same time the computer relearned its values and now the thing shifts fine. The only thing I don't like is at 60 mph it runs about 2400 rpm. This is my sons SUV not mine but it feels like it is going in all the gears and O/D. So hopefully this will help out anyone who has the shifting issue after replacing the knock sensors and harness. I have seen other post where you jump the wire at the computer and it takes care of the problem but I would like to point out one thing about that. It is a temporary fix and it could cause problems for the next person working on the vehicle. It is definitely worth fixing it right and not worrying about it. If you do the temp fix you could be left stranded in the middle of no where in limp mode. Also the knock sensors control more than the transmission like ignition timing and who knows what else so do the job right the first time and enjoy your vehicle. Thanks again to all the people that helped me with this you know who you are and this is a great forum for getting info to keep these vehicles on the road. If anyone needs information on brakes and suspension please feel free to reach out to me I have over 30 + years in that stuff. I am a retired Mechanic with experience in Ford and Volkswagen I specialize in pre 1985 and older domestic brands oldest restoration of a 1923 Overland sedan.
Thanks again
Bob

 

I use a combination of 2 scanners.

Techstream is what I use for anything requiring more than a simple live data scan(ebay) but I don't like using it because I have to hook up my Windows 7 laptop, etc but it is the only scanner I trust for scanning anything dealer level deep like modules, ABS, Airbags, etc.

There was a member just recently who warned about using the newer full featured expensive scanners when it threw codes and changed his Yaw Sensor settings upon plugging it in because of communication protocol backwards compatability issues- and- many of the scanners that claim to read ABS codes, etc you will usually be disapponted because they wil not deliver on most of the promises- that's where Techstream comes in and saves the day. lol

Also, I use a ICarsoft Toyota scanner for simple OBD2 live data and reading simple codes- nice scanner but I have heard many success stories on here about much, much cheaper scanners that can do same thing for little$$$ and some are bluetooth!- so I hope others will chime in and let us know what they are using these days.

>> PS- I know Techstream works on 2004 RX330 and newer but hopefully someone can confirm it will work on the older RX300 too.

 

Hi everybody,
Well took the RX out last nite to pick something up and guess what! Yep you guessed it the problem came back. check engine light is on and VCS light is on and the surging and hard shifting. So today I am going to a U pull r parts yard and I'm going to see if they have a ECM if they do it will cost $20 so I'm not out that much and I will have one to send in if it needs repair. Margate330 thanks for the advice on the scanners will let you know which one I grab.

 

Hopefuly others can chime in and help because I heard there are lots of inexpensive great scanners that work for these cars- with live data too.

 

Hi everyone,
Well I thought I would update everyone on the hard shifting issue. So I did not replace the ECM but used a different scanner. The scanner I used was a friends and he got it at Harbor Freight it is a Zurich ZR13 and I was Quite surprised by it being a cheaper scan tool. It does OBD2 but it also has a manufacture enhanced reader in it and that is what I used. Went in found alot more codes than using the enhanced for Lexus RX300 cleared them test drove. The first 2 shifts were a little hard not as bad as before and after that it shifted perfect every time down shift into passing gear was fine O/D worked great so with that being said it works. I drove it for 3 days and it never missed a beat no lights everything working as it should. Gave it back to my son and the last time I talked to him he said it was working great. I am great-full for all the input from everyone involved. This site is great to find out solutions and to bounce ideas around for fixing your 300 without going to a shop.

Thanks again to all that helped
Bob

 

Hi Bob,
Thank you for sharing your fix.

Were the codes for engine or transmission?
What were the codes?