ECT PWR Light Flicker
11-05-22, 04:58 PM
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
ECT PWR Light Flicker
Hello friends,
I wanted to describe a condition with my 1995 LS400 and see if anyone has any ideas. When I press the switch next to the gear shifter to turn ECT PWR mode on, the green light comes on and stays on steady. Never goes off and stays on as it should. When I turn it off it will initially turn off but then flicker back on erratically (no discernible pattern, not cyclical). In either case, the car drives and shifts well. Smooth shifts, no hesitation. No other issues with the cluster ie all other lights on the cluster function as they should and speedometer etc completely fine. It was doing this both before and after I had the ECU repaired for leaking capacitors. So in short, WTF? I am buying Deoxit D5 to see if I can open up the center area around the gear shift and spray down the connector for the ECT PWR switch but other than that, I have no idea. I see a lot of reference to solenoids going bad and needing to be replaced in the transmission from time to time but I am still at the 101 level with this stuff and do not have a detailed understanding of the transmission. When I google for l help about this I see people reporting cyclical flashes of this button but not this weirdo random flickering. Any thoughts? Many thanks!!
I wanted to describe a condition with my 1995 LS400 and see if anyone has any ideas. When I press the switch next to the gear shifter to turn ECT PWR mode on, the green light comes on and stays on steady. Never goes off and stays on as it should. When I turn it off it will initially turn off but then flicker back on erratically (no discernible pattern, not cyclical). In either case, the car drives and shifts well. Smooth shifts, no hesitation. No other issues with the cluster ie all other lights on the cluster function as they should and speedometer etc completely fine. It was doing this both before and after I had the ECU repaired for leaking capacitors. So in short, WTF? I am buying Deoxit D5 to see if I can open up the center area around the gear shift and spray down the connector for the ECT PWR switch but other than that, I have no idea. I see a lot of reference to solenoids going bad and needing to be replaced in the transmission from time to time but I am still at the 101 level with this stuff and do not have a detailed understanding of the transmission. When I google for l help about this I see people reporting cyclical flashes of this button but not this weirdo random flickering. Any thoughts? Many thanks!!
12-15-22, 04:47 AM
#2
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Replying to myself in case anyone searches and finds this thread…
The issue appears to have resolved itself after I did a drain and fill of about 2.5L of the transmission fluid which was dirty from prior owner (didn’t seem to have metal pieces though..) Not instantly but gradually after driving a few hundred miles with the somewhat cleaned up fluid did the light finally stay off when switched to off. Which makes me think maybe something got dirty, stuck or gummed up related to this system causing it to spazz and the fluid gradually cleaned it…Against the advice of the dealership I’m going to continue to drain and fill the fluid over time with Toyota Type IV and maybe I will be crying in my soup at some point with a slipped transmission but since the car had 127k miles I am making the bet the transmission has life left, especially since prior and original owner was older gentleman and not some kid beating the crap out of it. Drove car at 75-80mph this morning for an hour for morning commute and such a pleasure to drive on the highway.
The issue appears to have resolved itself after I did a drain and fill of about 2.5L of the transmission fluid which was dirty from prior owner (didn’t seem to have metal pieces though..) Not instantly but gradually after driving a few hundred miles with the somewhat cleaned up fluid did the light finally stay off when switched to off. Which makes me think maybe something got dirty, stuck or gummed up related to this system causing it to spazz and the fluid gradually cleaned it…Against the advice of the dealership I’m going to continue to drain and fill the fluid over time with Toyota Type IV and maybe I will be crying in my soup at some point with a slipped transmission but since the car had 127k miles I am making the bet the transmission has life left, especially since prior and original owner was older gentleman and not some kid beating the crap out of it. Drove car at 75-80mph this morning for an hour for morning commute and such a pleasure to drive on the highway.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GB90LS400
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
7
05-10-17 07:18 AM