So I bought this es at auction and only got a few miles before I noticed she would only free rev past 3rd gear. If I threw it over into sport mode I might grab 4th or 5th. VSC lights come on, Traction control, and CEL. I pull the codes and they are all for solenoid issues. I bought a Refurb set and switched them out.

OH MAN what a mess now. Initially a hard shift into reverse that smoothed out. Once underway I notice she is stuck in 2nd or 3rd hard to tell Then a very lazy Upshift to 4th That was at 10 oclock last night I turned around and came home All warnings lights came back on I haven't hooked her up to the scanner yet to see what i got this time. So frustrating. But Black trans fluid! what do u expect! 1 owner car dealer service every time all the way to 200k then traded back into the same dealer

Transmission never serviced according to service records I mean geez!

When I get new codes pulled I will report back I really do not want to pay for a rebuild. Maybe a swapped used one?

 

How much did you pay for the car? It is probably not worth putting a used transmission into it with 200,000 miles. The rest of the trans is surely toast in addition to the solenoids.
Makes me wonder about the conditon of the engine etc.
But price it out. I think you will be shocked at what they want for a used transmission. I think at least $1,500 to $3,000 from a quick scan of eBay. Local yards may be better. They know which vehicles have the same transmission.
Note that a V6 Camry or Avalon transmission is the same.

Then there are installation costs, unless you plan to do it.
Make sure to change the fluid on any used trans!

 

Mine had the exact same problem, it's not the solenoids for this failure mode. The issue is the direct drum frictions or apply servo piston leaking too much, you will need to replace/repair the drum

 

Been away for a week. Just now seeing these I appreciate the input! I will be investigating further I have $6500 in the car now. auction price was $5600 Green light. It was sold with a guarantee and I could have arbitrated the sale. Stupid me did not realize until a month later when I was balancing some books. Rookie oversight. I may just go all in at this point and put a kid in it. The car is NEW other than this. Seriously. Lexus service every 5k. original mats with plastic under them. The rear seat buckles had foam on them still. never unwrapped. I have never seen anything like it condition wise and I have been a dealer a long time. Thanks again. Joe

 

My 2007 with 154k miles just did the same thing. I replaced the solenoids and nothing, took it to a few transmission shops to get second opinions and they all said the same; to replace the transmission but I honestly just want to get another car. Other than that, the car is in excellent condition.