bclexus

That's good that the CEL came on. That will provide the Lexus technician what he needs to focus on. Sounds like it may be a upshift or downshift solenoid failure.

TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE CHART:
P0705 P0894 P0711 P2714 P0712 P0973 P0713 P0974 P0717 P0976 P0722 P0977 P0729 P0979 P0748 P0980 P0751 P0982 P0756 P0983 P0761 P0985 P0766 P0986 P0776 P2716 P0778 P2757 P0781 P2759

It sounds like the problem may be P0729, or something similar:

Cwang

If you've serviced it at the dealer(it sounds like you may have) then they should look after you regardless of warranty status. I know you have the powertrain warranty but if they still try to pin you for a whole new box, be sure to get a second opinion from a good tranny specialist - someone who can pull gearboxes apart blindfolded.

I can't imagine dealer mechanics would have experience actually working on these and would be just following their checklists. Dealerships are really good at 'this $1200 bit is broken so we'll install a new $9K transmission, we can start this afternoon?'

imjohnphan

Yeah I have serious doubts that those dealer mechanics would know how to work on a transmission. I'm sure they can replace one but maybe that's it. Reading about all the FRS cars where their engines became totaled after a valve spring recall and the dealer not honoring a replacement engine seems scary. Would be nice to get a whole new transmission from the dealer covered under warranty.

bclexus

I feel sure the Lexus technicians are capable of troubleshooting to determine what is wrong with a transmission, and if the fix is to replace something like a defective solenoid they can easily tackle that.

When a vehicle's transmission that is still under warranty needs to be replaced, it's very likely going to be replaced with a used, rebuilt or re-manufactured transmission (unless the car is practically new) and the replacement transmission is warranted until the vehicle's drivetrain warranty expires...so the owner is made whole for the period of the warranty.

gth181a

Thanks for all the input. The one from @bclexus and the TechDoc sounds very likely. It's currently at the dealer and the they told me it may take a couple days before they find out the issue. Will update once I get the news.

imjohnphan

Yeah that's what I am saying that if covered or not their route would typically be to replace the transmission with a new or rebuilt one from somewhere else that rebuilt it. If under warranty coverage and they replace it, awesome. If they won't and want to charge you an arm and a leg to replace it then I'd take it elsewhere to people who actually does transmission work to have it repaired.

bclexus

This brings up another point. Owner of vehicle still in warranty replaces the transmission fluid - transmission has a problem and needs repairing or replacing. Lexus determines the transmission fluid was replaced by owner. Keep in mind that (unlike engine oil or brake fluid for instance) the automatic transmission is a sealed unit, it has 'lifetime' transmission fluid, and Lexus has no recommendation to ever replace the transmission fluid. Does Lexus repair/replace the transmission under warranty?

chinee

Good point... so if one is inclined to change the ATF, do so after warranty has expired.

gth181a

And the results are in!

Bad: I need a new transmission.
Good: It's covered under powertrain warranty.

Based on the call with the service adviser, they don't know what the cause was but just said my entire transmission is messed up. lol. He did mention the bad solenoid as mentioned in bclexus's post.

bclexus

I doubt seriously the 'entire transmission is messed up'. I'm a bit surprised that your Lexus dealer is not willing to troubleshoot with the help of the code(s) and replace a solenoid if that is what is needed, which is no big deal. It sounds like the easiest method is just to replace the transmission. However, I suspect you will receive a repaired/rebuilt replacement that will be warranted for the remaining period of your drivetrain warranty. And, your transmission will be (used as a core of sorts) repaired/rebuilt and likely installed as a replacement for someone else's transmission...whether the transmission is still under warranty, or not.

imjohnphan

It's probably more so that the dealer will make more money by charging the labor hours to Lexus to replace the entire transmission rather than to replace a solenoid alone. I definitely agree if it was just a solenoid, replacement would be wayyy easier than a whole new transmission. I've known several dealer technicians and service agents that have told me this is what they do sometimes to fill their books to keep the techs busy and keep revenue going to the dealer. Sad but true ...

bclexus

Agree! Lexus corporate will never know what the actual problem was with the transmission because it will end up being used as a core in exchange for a repaired/rebuilt one.

bclexus

That's the way I see it - if one is inclined to change the ATF, it's best to do so after the drivetrain warranty has expired.

Cwang

Big win for you, best case scenario!
I wonder whether the next bloke paying cash drives in with a failed transmission component and walks out with a new transmission for $7K plus fitment...'
It's akin to 'Sir, your water pump has failed and 2x coil packs are faulty, please sign here to approve a replacement engine for $16K plus labour.'

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully the dealership doesn't cause any other problems replacing the transmission and is capable of doing the job. Won't all this get reported to carfax? Hopefully they can give a real explanation as to why this happened.