FiveSeven

iTrader: (3)

Hello Everyone,

My transmission has been acting up lately.. Coming from a complete stop the car would hold onto first gear instead of shifting.. Its like the car is holding onto 1st gear too long so when it does shift it jerks into 2nd gear.. could this be a sign of a failing transmission? I haven't had the tranny fluid changed in awhile.. could this remedy the problem? anyone else experience this problem?

kevin3344

The transmissions on these cars (like the motor) are pretty much bulletproof. I know that when my car is cold, the transmission takes a little longer to upshift/downshift, but after normal driving for a few minutes it's fine. I had my transmission fluid changed at 100,000 miles back in 2008 IIRC, and I have just over 227,000 miles now. I do check the fluids regularly as the car is 18 years old, but I've really never had a problem.

FiveSeven

iTrader: (3)

My indy shop said the samething.. he said it most likely needs a ECU reset. he hasn't seen a blown out tranny on a gs300 ever.

lextout

maybe your indy shop only ever seen 1 gs

FrankT

Very similar issue on my daughter's 1998 GS300 w/ 219k, it had a P1755 that referrers to the "Lock up Linear Solenoid". Before I sold the car I tried to fix it by changing out the tranny fluid then dropping the pan and replacing the associated solenoid. No fix...

The for sale ad had this disclaimer...
"Transmission shift hard into 2nd gear when cold and has check engine light with P1755 code. When car warms up it drives normal."
It sold cheap and fast.

I have not had much experience with automatic transmissions; but if I had to guess, the torque converter went bad; but that's just a guess.

FiveSeven

iTrader: (3)

My shop is very reputable here on clublexus.. anyway I got the fluid changed and reset the ECU, problem is gone for now, I'll report back if it comes back up.

JonGS3

What's the procedure for resetting the ECU? Just disconnecting the battery for a few minutes? Sometimes mine will downshift into first less smoothly than usual. I wouldn't call it harsh or jerky...you just feel it a little more.

FiveSeven

iTrader: (3)

Mine was a sharp jerk, very noticeable.. It has not come back since the transmission service / ecu reset. My indy shop said it wasn't a mechanical issue.

Vogel1118

my 98 gs400 does the same thing. and while it is stuck on first gear it revs up real high on the rpm gauge . then will jerk before it finally shifts into second gear

KTGS300

Same thing happens on my '02 GS3. It doesn't happen all the time though. I also tried changing transmission fluid and ECU reset but did not help fix the problem.

quietman

Have a similar problem with my 2005 GS 300. Not 1:st to 2:nd gear but 3rd to 4th. Transmission sort of hesitates, if that makes any sense, and the car shudders a bit. Doesn’t happen all the time but does occasionally wheter the engines cold or warm.
If I just slightly step off the gas the tranny does what it should and goes in to the next gear.
Only had it for a week and it is my first Lexus and I am far from a car expert. Any ideas of what to check/do?

La2472003

ECM is confused. Eventually you’ll experience 3rd gear lockout (failed trans) Lexus wants 3/5k to replace it actually a faulty ecm/ solenoid can we sue Lexus?

Peacebay

If you disconnect the battery for a minute and then reconnect (resetting the trans adaptation) does the car shift normally?

jettate

I have strange tranny issues sometimes, Usually when car is cold and tramny fluid not up to temp yet. Not consistent, so not a worry for me at this time. I have been good about changing the fluid by a tranny shop that drops the pan. If you have that service or do it yourself, change your pressure dial to III.