Thoughts on LS430 rough shifting and A761e transmission
12-26-20, 05:04 PM
#106
Driver School Candidate
All I can say is running the code and replacing the offending solenoid solved all our problems. The car continues to run excellently. I have no experience to recommend the ECU flash as an alternative. I can't see a mechanic charging more than 2 hours of labor if you describe the problem in detail, and refer to the suggestions in this thread. My solenoid was $135. The transmission gasket and filter were inexpensive eBay OEM. Even if you are not DIY, having Techstream could save someone overestimating the repair if you're not doing it yourself.
12-27-20, 12:33 PM
#107
Finally the LS430 is shifting properly. The cure was sending the ECM to foreignecurepair.com. They found and repaired the cold solder joint(s) for $260.
The car did have an intermittent code indicating a solenoid valve in the transmission. I ohmed the solenoids through the connector to the ECM and didn’t find a issue that agreed with the code. So I decided to send the ECM for repair. I had the unit back in 8 days and the downshifting problem was fixed.
My advice if you have this problem:
The car did have an intermittent code indicating a solenoid valve in the transmission. I ohmed the solenoids through the connector to the ECM and didn’t find a issue that agreed with the code. So I decided to send the ECM for repair. I had the unit back in 8 days and the downshifting problem was fixed.
My advice if you have this problem:
- Do drain and fills or fluid replacement - you may get lucky.
- Check the solenoids using a meter and small copper wires inserted in the transmission ECM plug. You may find a shorted or open solenoid coil. You can find a pinout on the internet.
- If faced with a choice, you can change a solenoid for about the same money as an ECM repair. ECM repair is much easier. Send the ECM out for repair to a REPUTABLE repair facility. Read the reviews. Some are a pain to deal with. Some cannot find the problem.
Last edited by mdpresco; 12-27-20 at 12:38 PM. Reason: Add text
12-28-20, 06:52 AM
#108
Well today I found out my Lexus dealership pretty severely overfilled my transmission. A year ago I did my own drain and fill and then had the dealership do the two subsequent ones a few months apart.
Today I figured it was worth a shot to find out the actual oil level for myself. Once i got the trans to the correct temp I unscrewed the overfill plug and at least a quart extra came out until it started trickling like it should. Took the car for a two hour drive afterwards and everything is now working as it should, smooth as butter.
I’ve worked on cars all my life, done everything from engine rebuilds to oil changes. This was one of the few times ive ever bothered to bring my car to a professional for something as benign as a drain and fill.. yet again I experience the old cliche if you want something done right, do it yourself.
Today I figured it was worth a shot to find out the actual oil level for myself. Once i got the trans to the correct temp I unscrewed the overfill plug and at least a quart extra came out until it started trickling like it should. Took the car for a two hour drive afterwards and everything is now working as it should, smooth as butter.
I’ve worked on cars all my life, done everything from engine rebuilds to oil changes. This was one of the few times ive ever bothered to bring my car to a professional for something as benign as a drain and fill.. yet again I experience the old cliche if you want something done right, do it yourself.
12-28-20, 08:06 AM
#109
Advanced
Thread Starter
Finally the LS430 is shifting properly. The cure was sending the ECM to foreignecurepair.com. They found and repaired the cold solder joint(s) for $260.
The car did have an intermittent code indicating a solenoid valve in the transmission. I ohmed the solenoids through the connector to the ECM and didn’t find a issue that agreed with the code. So I decided to send the ECM for repair. I had the unit back in 8 days and the downshifting problem was fixed.
My advice if you have this problem:
The car did have an intermittent code indicating a solenoid valve in the transmission. I ohmed the solenoids through the connector to the ECM and didn’t find a issue that agreed with the code. So I decided to send the ECM for repair. I had the unit back in 8 days and the downshifting problem was fixed.
My advice if you have this problem:
- Do drain and fills or fluid replacement - you may get lucky.
- Check the solenoids using a meter and small copper wires inserted in the transmission ECM plug. You may find a shorted or open solenoid coil. You can find a pinout on the internet.
- If faced with a choice, you can change a solenoid for about the same money as an ECM repair. ECM repair is much easier. Send the ECM out for repair to a REPUTABLE repair facility. Read the reviews. Some are a pain to deal with. Some cannot find the problem.
Something else I wanted to share here.
I wanted to do some testing on my transmission. I went ahead and connected my OTC adapter to the diagnostic terminal and erased all values in transmission memory.
Now, instead of proper road test which is supposed to “educate” the transmission, i purposefully performed it incorrectly. I only used two gears, and I wouldn’t reach necessary speeds to “lock” in the memory.
It’s been more than a week and I switched to full range D in the gearbox. In 40 mph I get a very noticeable shifting “punch”. Consistently. It doesn’t depend on acceleration speed.
I will go ahead and drive it like that for another week and then I do reset the memory again and do the proper road test this time. I will update on the results.
04-09-21, 07:48 PM
#111
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Just wanted to provide an update to my situation above while I was on vacation in Los Angeles. I took it to a top-rated transmission shop who immediately knew it was the ECM. They had it rebuilt and two days later I got my car back. Good as new. Not the way I wanted to start ownership of my car but the important thing is that it's now fixed.
04-12-21, 09:40 AM
#112
Driver School Candidate
Hi there, it's more in the 'greater LA area' than LA proper, but it was Leon's Transmissions at7528 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335. I believe they have other locations in the area, but the older man who helped me there (I forget his name) was great.
04-12-21, 09:57 AM
#113
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Much obliged. Will check it out. Haven't been that far into the valley before but could be worth a shot.
04-12-21, 10:05 AM
#114
Driver School Candidate
04-12-21, 11:58 AM
#115
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Definitely not as bad as what some experience but some of the shifts feel like they could be smoother. I have the 2004 model at 86k. Last time I had the battery removed the car felt extra buttery for the first ride. Did they do the rebuild and the reflash? I don't particularly want to send it in to SIA and have to wait.
04-13-21, 09:12 AM
#116
Hey @Kodawari and @excels430 , thanks for revisiting this. I had asked this earlier. I am also experiencing the 2-1 jerk. I have tried the accelerator pedal-key reset, but like others said, it doesn't last very long. I am in Washington, and my LS is my only car so I do not have a week and a half to rent a car whlle I FEdex overnight my chip to SIA, but a road trip to LA for vacation is easy, and I used to live right off of Reseda Blvd. Thanks again for the info.
@Peacebay , still there? Any thoughts on my previous question to you?
All the better would if anyone knows a shop who knows this fix in the Seattle, WA vicinity??
Nathan
@Peacebay , still there? Any thoughts on my previous question to you?
All the better would if anyone knows a shop who knows this fix in the Seattle, WA vicinity??
Nathan
04-13-21, 12:41 PM
#117
Driver School Candidate
Definitely not as bad as what some experience but some of the shifts feel like they could be smoother. I have the 2004 model at 86k. Last time I had the battery removed the car felt extra buttery for the first ride. Did they do the rebuild and the reflash? I don't particularly want to send it in to SIA and have to wait.
04-15-21, 09:34 AM
#118
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Cool - thank you for sharing all of this. Glad to hear things are working on your end 6 months later. Figures that arguably the biggest issue with the car at this age is electronics..
04-15-22, 09:40 AM
#119
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Oh cool! Well keep me updated too then.
But the tech did hook up his techstream to my car so we could check for any codes and nothing came up. I let it go for a while, but while the car sits for the winter I figured it would finally be the perfect opportunity to send it out. 87k miles on my 05 fwiw
04-16-22, 11:48 AM
#120
Driver School Candidate
Abrupt Transmission downshifts are cured with DAT
Digital Auto Technology DAT in Riverside, CA. send in a box with your trans computer bubble wrapped with prepaid copy/printout $ 275 and return ship $15 See their webpage for instructions. 1 year warranty. We had a 4 day turn around : boxed it and usps shipped on April 4 then on April 8 on our doorstep. Reinstall takes about 3 minutes easy.
https://stores.digitalautotech.com/
Confirming our 2004 with 205k here in So. Cal. recently developed abrupt downshifts 2 into 1 at about 25mph while slowing ; also at about 40 mph slowing the abrupt downshifts.
100% happy with this vendor and our LS430 is back to classic smoothness.
https://stores.digitalautotech.com/
Confirming our 2004 with 205k here in So. Cal. recently developed abrupt downshifts 2 into 1 at about 25mph while slowing ; also at about 40 mph slowing the abrupt downshifts.
100% happy with this vendor and our LS430 is back to classic smoothness.