Fisher503

I have a 2001 GS 430 with 70000 miles. When I take off slow for the first 5 or 6 times it bangs into 2nd gear. I warm it up every time. Has anyone had or heard about this problem?

SeattleGS400

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like the engine hasn't fully warmed up yet. My car, from a cold start, will hold first gear a bit longer than if it were fully warmed up. That is, it will rev up to about 3500 rpm in 1st, then shift to 2nd. Being that the rpms are bit high when it's cold, it will seem like it "jumps" into 2nd, but it's just that the car develops a lot of power at that rpm. As you've noticed after about 2 minutes, it doesn't do it any longer: 1) the engine (and coolant) is warmed up a bit, and 2) the ATF fluid is warmed up--giving you smoother upshifts.

If it's unnecessarily harsh, I'd take it in to the delaer--you still have 10K miles on your powertrain warranty.

Good luck.

joshoowa

iTrader: (1)

change ATF fluids.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

I think it's the 2nd to 3rd shift that's held when the tranny is cold, not 1st to 2nd.

SeattleGS400

iTrader: (1)

You could very well be right about this. . . but it definitely does hold the lower gears when cold. Joshoowa's suggestion of replacing the ATF is also a good one, if yours is a bit discolored.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

It never hurts to replace ATF, but it won't change the cold shifting at all, which is by design to warm the car up faster and thus lower emissions.

Fisher503

I have had the ATF changed every 15000 miles at the dealer (at least they say they changed it). Also, I warm the car up for at least 10 to 15 minutes every time before driving ( Temp guage is always in middle before driving). It never used to shift like this it sort of bangs into second not jump.

SeattleGS400

iTrader: (1)

Doesn't sound right. . .

Also, being that it sounds like it's a new issue, take it into the dealer for a check-up as you've still got 10K left on your 70K warranty (or 7 years). . .

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

That's a huge waste of gas, polluting, and not necessarily good for the car to idle 10 to 15 minutes every time before you drive. Also, the temp guage is for the engine, not the tranny, so you're not warming up the tranny at all.

PHML

iTrader: (33)

If new ATF don't work....try removing the relays for the ENG MAIN and ABS. This TSB is for the 300, but maybe it'll help for the 400/430.

https://www.clublexus.com/index.php/...iew/1826/1/60/

Pete