Possible Transmission Problem
#1
Possible Transmission Problem
I have a 2005 GX470 with 133,000 miles. On Saturday evening I pulled up to a friends house and was talking to him through the window with my foot on the break. I tried to shift back in to park and the shifter moved but my transmission only moved to neutral. I then could move the shifter anywhere I wanted but the car wouldn't go to any gear or park.
I had it towed by AAA to one of their shops and they called me Monday morning saying I definitely needed a new transmission. I could not believe it since they'd only been open 45 minutes, didn't drop the pan etc. I then had it towed to AAMCO.
AAMCO ran tests and decided it was the transfer case. They took the transfer case off and there is no problem with it and they could look in the back of the transmission and there is no problem there either. They are now trying to figure out what the problem is. I have no idea. I have not had a car for 4 days now - been using rental - and am really tired of it.
I also called the Lexus dealership and they have no clue what it might be after talking with me on the phone. They said its highly unlikely the transmission is out given the mileage and the fact I keep it serviced. I'm about to just pay for another tow and have them do a diagnostic.
Anyone have any ideas? It would be greatly appreciated.
I had it towed by AAA to one of their shops and they called me Monday morning saying I definitely needed a new transmission. I could not believe it since they'd only been open 45 minutes, didn't drop the pan etc. I then had it towed to AAMCO.
AAMCO ran tests and decided it was the transfer case. They took the transfer case off and there is no problem with it and they could look in the back of the transmission and there is no problem there either. They are now trying to figure out what the problem is. I have no idea. I have not had a car for 4 days now - been using rental - and am really tired of it.
I also called the Lexus dealership and they have no clue what it might be after talking with me on the phone. They said its highly unlikely the transmission is out given the mileage and the fact I keep it serviced. I'm about to just pay for another tow and have them do a diagnostic.
Anyone have any ideas? It would be greatly appreciated.
#2
I have a 2005 GX470 with 133,000 miles. On Saturday evening I pulled up to a friends house and was talking to him through the window with my foot on the break. I tried to shift back in to park and the shifter moved but my transmission only moved to neutral. I then could move the shifter anywhere I wanted but the car wouldn't go to any gear or park.
I had it towed by AAA to one of their shops and they called me Monday morning saying I definitely needed a new transmission. I could not believe it since they'd only been open 45 minutes, didn't drop the pan etc. I then had it towed to AAMCO.
AAMCO ran tests and decided it was the transfer case. They took the transfer case off and there is no problem with it and they could look in the back of the transmission and there is no problem there either. They are now trying to figure out what the problem is. I have no idea. I have not had a car for 4 days now - been using rental - and am really tired of it.
I also called the Lexus dealership and they have no clue what it might be after talking with me on the phone. They said its highly unlikely the transmission is out given the mileage and the fact I keep it serviced. I'm about to just pay for another tow and have them do a diagnostic.
Anyone have any ideas? It would be greatly appreciated.
I had it towed by AAA to one of their shops and they called me Monday morning saying I definitely needed a new transmission. I could not believe it since they'd only been open 45 minutes, didn't drop the pan etc. I then had it towed to AAMCO.
AAMCO ran tests and decided it was the transfer case. They took the transfer case off and there is no problem with it and they could look in the back of the transmission and there is no problem there either. They are now trying to figure out what the problem is. I have no idea. I have not had a car for 4 days now - been using rental - and am really tired of it.
I also called the Lexus dealership and they have no clue what it might be after talking with me on the phone. They said its highly unlikely the transmission is out given the mileage and the fact I keep it serviced. I'm about to just pay for another tow and have them do a diagnostic.
Anyone have any ideas? It would be greatly appreciated.
Good luck
#5
I'm in no way an expert but I would think since you didn't get a check engine light it would be something mechanical and simple like the linkage coming loose. I'll leave this up to Mann777.....Mann777 where are you!??
#6
The obvious sounds like some disconnect between the shift linkage and transmission. If you open your cup holder and pull straight up on it will come out then you will be able to look into the console at the shift linkage as well as the parking brake cabling. That would of been my first place to look. Report what lexus finds It does not sound like its a serious problem imho.
Good luck
Good luck
#7
Attached is the solenoid you need to look. This is one possible area.
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#8
The AAMCO guys took the transfer case out and saw nothing was wrong. They then looked inside the transmission and saw nothing was wrong. They put the transfer case back in to the car and it all of the sudden worked. Crazy deal. I guess it was something electrical?
Either way I went from thinking I had a $3,000 - $4,000 problem on my hands to $0.00. I did appreciate their honesty and effort so I am having them do about $1,000 worth of work on my car - replace hub bearings on one wheel, transmission filter and fluid, and another minor item.
I have 133,000 miles on it and want to drive this thing to 200,000 and then keep it as a third car. When do you all think I should get the timing belt changed? I looked at it and had them look at it and it looks fine but I am pretty paranoid about it.
Any other advice you all have to keep this car running? This potential problem scared me pretty bad and I want to do whatever preventative maintenance I can. I have the money so don't be bashful. I really want to take good care of this car.
Either way I went from thinking I had a $3,000 - $4,000 problem on my hands to $0.00. I did appreciate their honesty and effort so I am having them do about $1,000 worth of work on my car - replace hub bearings on one wheel, transmission filter and fluid, and another minor item.
I have 133,000 miles on it and want to drive this thing to 200,000 and then keep it as a third car. When do you all think I should get the timing belt changed? I looked at it and had them look at it and it looks fine but I am pretty paranoid about it.
Any other advice you all have to keep this car running? This potential problem scared me pretty bad and I want to do whatever preventative maintenance I can. I have the money so don't be bashful. I really want to take good care of this car.
#9
Either way I went from thinking I had a $3,000 - $4,000 problem on my hands to $0.00. I did appreciate their honesty and effort so I am having them do about $1,000 worth of work on my car - replace hub bearings on one wheel, transmission filter and fluid, and another minor item.
If it's never had a timing belt change at 90K you're long overdue. I'd replace it asap. Our engines are interference engines so if it breaks when the engine is running you're going to have a pretty hefty bill to fix / replace your engine.
#10
AAMCO didn't charge you a dime for doing all that? That amazes me because i hear nothing but horror stories from those guys. Maybe you got one of the good stores!
A think the problem with many repair shops is they actually don't diagnose anything, but will simply see if the part works or not and then suggest a full replacement if it doesn't!
For example: I have an LS400 as well, and one of the guys in that forum bought a 98 model with a non-functioning CD changer. the prior owner told him the Lexus dealer looked at it shortly after it quit working and said it was gonna be a $2000 something job to replace the CD changer, to which they declined.
The new owner on the forum simply poked his hand into the CD changer slot, and noticed that a hair pin was stuck in the magazine bay. He pulled it out, and bam, it worked fine afterwards! The technicians probably took two seconds to just see if it would turn on, and "diagnosed" it as non-functional
A think the problem with many repair shops is they actually don't diagnose anything, but will simply see if the part works or not and then suggest a full replacement if it doesn't!
For example: I have an LS400 as well, and one of the guys in that forum bought a 98 model with a non-functioning CD changer. the prior owner told him the Lexus dealer looked at it shortly after it quit working and said it was gonna be a $2000 something job to replace the CD changer, to which they declined.
The new owner on the forum simply poked his hand into the CD changer slot, and noticed that a hair pin was stuck in the magazine bay. He pulled it out, and bam, it worked fine afterwards! The technicians probably took two seconds to just see if it would turn on, and "diagnosed" it as non-functional
Last edited by YoshiMan; 11-18-13 at 07:35 AM.
#11
You need to use Toyota World Standard "WS" fluid. Even if they can use that fluid I would rather have Toyota / Lexus mess w/ it.
I think you're talking about the accessory belt. You can't see the timing belt unless you tear into the engine which if you do that you'd be replacing the timing belt & water pump due to labor costs it takes to look at it.
If it's never had a timing belt change at 90K you're long overdue. I'd replace it asap. Our engines are interference engines so if it breaks when the engine is running you're going to have a pretty hefty bill to fix / replace your engine.
I think you're talking about the accessory belt. You can't see the timing belt unless you tear into the engine which if you do that you'd be replacing the timing belt & water pump due to labor costs it takes to look at it.
If it's never had a timing belt change at 90K you're long overdue. I'd replace it asap. Our engines are interference engines so if it breaks when the engine is running you're going to have a pretty hefty bill to fix / replace your engine.
#12
Nope what you saw is the serpentine belt. My best advise would be to use the Lexus dealership when it comes to engine transmission etc. The trans oil does not need to be changed unless you are doing heavy duty towing.
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#15
If you care about your vehicle, then RCsGX is someone you definitely want to listen to...