Newest U660E transmission TSIB
05-18-07 | 08:45 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: AL
Newest U660E transmission TSIB
I don't have a copy but quoting a post on TN:
I'm gunna go ahead & guess they finally decided to eelectronically up the line pressure in the valve body lol!
Well... Yall go get your ECU flashed & let us all know how it goes...
Toyota just released a new TSB (TC007-07) for the infamous U660E transmission to correct the flare (slipping) problem. This is, of course, applicable only to the V6 Camry (and Lexus ES350).
The TSB calls for reflashing the transmission computer with new firmware to fix the problem. It also states that if the new firmware doesn't do the trick, the transaxle needs to be replaced (of course, that was in the older TSBs, and didn't solve my problem nor that of numerous other posters).
My conclusion is that they identified two problems with the transmission: one mechanical and one related to programming. The mechanical one was identified months back when they released the valve body replacement TSB and the subsequent R/R transaxle TSB. The firmware update is what's new this time.
What's interesting is that the list of flares the TSB is supposed to fix involves more than just the 3-4 shift flare that's so obvious. Other shift flares that I see mentioned less on discussion boards (with the exception of Edmunds, which has a number of complaints about these) were listed. Also, the TSB says the flares are most noticeable after a cold soak, implying they can occur when the car is warmed up (something many of us already knew from experience).
* 3-4 upshift during first 10 minutes of operation
* 2nd - 3rd upshift
* 4th - 5th upshift
* 5th - 4th downshift when accelerating from coast or decelerating between 30 - 40 mph
Note that the last one may be related to the odd engine braking effect this transmission has.
Let's hope this fixes the problem in these expensive cars.
-Doug
The TSB calls for reflashing the transmission computer with new firmware to fix the problem. It also states that if the new firmware doesn't do the trick, the transaxle needs to be replaced (of course, that was in the older TSBs, and didn't solve my problem nor that of numerous other posters).
My conclusion is that they identified two problems with the transmission: one mechanical and one related to programming. The mechanical one was identified months back when they released the valve body replacement TSB and the subsequent R/R transaxle TSB. The firmware update is what's new this time.
What's interesting is that the list of flares the TSB is supposed to fix involves more than just the 3-4 shift flare that's so obvious. Other shift flares that I see mentioned less on discussion boards (with the exception of Edmunds, which has a number of complaints about these) were listed. Also, the TSB says the flares are most noticeable after a cold soak, implying they can occur when the car is warmed up (something many of us already knew from experience).
* 3-4 upshift during first 10 minutes of operation
* 2nd - 3rd upshift
* 4th - 5th upshift
* 5th - 4th downshift when accelerating from coast or decelerating between 30 - 40 mph
Note that the last one may be related to the odd engine braking effect this transmission has.
Let's hope this fixes the problem in these expensive cars.
-Doug
Well... Yall go get your ECU flashed & let us all know how it goes...
05-18-07 | 10:41 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,806
Likes: 6
From: californication
deja vu?
maybe everyone will go through the same thing amf1932 did the last 4 years.
maybe instead, you'll get harsher shifts and poorer gas mileage.
maybe everyone will go through the same thing amf1932 did the last 4 years.
maybe instead, you'll get harsher shifts and poorer gas mileage.
Last edited by dunnojack; 05-18-07 at 10:46 PM.
05-19-07 | 03:04 AM
#3
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 35
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From: ma
This is perfect.
I'm sending them a lemon law demand letter giving them one last chance to fix it. For those of you who have been through multiple trips to the dealer, be careful of the statute of limitations of your state's lemon law. You can still pursue them under federal law (Magnuson-Moss) for breach of warranty, but some states may limit your ability sue after a certain number of miles or months.
In MA, you need to have the car in for the same repair three times within the first year or 15,000 miles.
I hope it works, but if you've been through a valve replacement and a transmission replacement, and then this doesn't work, they'll have a hard time denying a buy back. Otherwise, get a lawyer and sue.
I'm sending them a lemon law demand letter giving them one last chance to fix it. For those of you who have been through multiple trips to the dealer, be careful of the statute of limitations of your state's lemon law. You can still pursue them under federal law (Magnuson-Moss) for breach of warranty, but some states may limit your ability sue after a certain number of miles or months.
In MA, you need to have the car in for the same repair three times within the first year or 15,000 miles.
I hope it works, but if you've been through a valve replacement and a transmission replacement, and then this doesn't work, they'll have a hard time denying a buy back. Otherwise, get a lawyer and sue.
05-19-07 | 03:35 AM
#4
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 70
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From: CT
I am due for my second transaxle replacement next week. I guess this is why they wanted to get my car back in again - to do this firmware flash.
I've already reached out to lemon law lawyers......so I'll be ready if it doesn't work.
I've already reached out to lemon law lawyers......so I'll be ready if it doesn't work.
05-19-07 | 04:44 AM
#5
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
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From: Florida
On the good news note, this TSIB, UNLIKE all others issued on this transmission, acknowledges multiple gear slipping...FINALLY...and indicates other than just first few minute slipping of other gears exactly as our members have been reporting for nearly a year.
As to the viability of this TSIB to correct the problems, only time will tell, but they now do have listed many of the behaviors they did not seem aware of in the past.
I think that is thanks to auto forums like Club Lexus.
Since Lexus has people review auto-forums...
I think it would be good for them look up all Lexus corporate people I was subjected to dealing with and have them all at a round table and ask each and every one of them why they went out of their way to deceive me. In doing so, awareness of and acknowledgment of multiple gears involved in the transmission issue, other transmission behavior, was delayed by more than 8 months and subjected many to experiencing it in newer built cars up to presently manufactured. Minimally haul the corporate field tech I was subjected to before you and demand answers from him for you could have addressed 2 to 3, 3 to 4, harsh downshift, other, over 8 months ago saving Lexus a ton of money and at the same time avoid putting owners through the hassle experienced in dealing with this.
As to the viability of this TSIB to correct the problems, only time will tell, but they now do have listed many of the behaviors they did not seem aware of in the past.
I think that is thanks to auto forums like Club Lexus.
Since Lexus has people review auto-forums...
I think it would be good for them look up all Lexus corporate people I was subjected to dealing with and have them all at a round table and ask each and every one of them why they went out of their way to deceive me. In doing so, awareness of and acknowledgment of multiple gears involved in the transmission issue, other transmission behavior, was delayed by more than 8 months and subjected many to experiencing it in newer built cars up to presently manufactured. Minimally haul the corporate field tech I was subjected to before you and demand answers from him for you could have addressed 2 to 3, 3 to 4, harsh downshift, other, over 8 months ago saving Lexus a ton of money and at the same time avoid putting owners through the hassle experienced in dealing with this.
05-19-07 | 05:35 AM
#6
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,792
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From: Brooklyn, NY
I remember the excitement from all tranny plagued owners whenever Lexus
came out with a new TSIB. In the end, these reflashes were only a trade off
to keep these owners ('02-'06 ES') happy, but at the expense of losing the
status of a ULEV vehicle, plus as dunnojack said, harsher shifts and poorer
gas mileage.
I'm sorry that I sound somewhat skeptical, but I went through 3 years of
aggrevation, until I decided to trade my '03ES for the ES350.
I certainly hope that this TSIB will correct the problems in a satisfactory
fashion, and than, maybe, we'll get ES350Bob to once again become a Lexus
owner.
05-19-07 | 05:46 AM
#7
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I'm sorry that I sound somewhat skeptical, but I went through 3 years of
aggrevation, until I decided to trade my '03ES for the ES350.
I certainly hope that this TSIB will correct the problems in a satisfactory
fashion, and than, maybe, we'll get ES350Bob to once again become a Lexus
owner.
aggrevation, until I decided to trade my '03ES for the ES350.
I certainly hope that this TSIB will correct the problems in a satisfactory
fashion, and than, maybe, we'll get ES350Bob to once again become a Lexus
owner.
And don't be so sure I do not own a Lexus
Unless the only way you qualify is if it were built within the last decade and other than used as if it were an el-camino
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05-19-07 | 12:16 PM
#13
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From: WA
05-19-07 | 12:58 PM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,491
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From: MD
I called it!! I said there would be a flash update!!
I agree with Alan, we had a flash update done on my wife's old Sienna. Once we got it back, it solved the hesitation issue, but it drove like a totally different animal. There were other drivability characterisics that I did not like. So, it is a trade off. And, as you can see we don't own it anymore...enough said.
So, who is going to get the flash update first??? I am interested to see if it works.
I agree with Alan, we had a flash update done on my wife's old Sienna. Once we got it back, it solved the hesitation issue, but it drove like a totally different animal. There were other drivability characterisics that I did not like. So, it is a trade off. And, as you can see we don't own it anymore...enough said.
So, who is going to get the flash update first??? I am interested to see if it works.
05-19-07 | 01:17 PM
#15
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From: CT