RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003) Discussion topics related to the 1999 -2003 RX300 models

Trans guy blames RX300 ECU for CEL

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Old 08-15-18, 01:46 AM
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CharAloha
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Default Trans guy blames RX300 ECU for CEL

Took my 2000 RX300 to a transmission shop a few weeks ago and my transmission was rebuilt at a tune of $2700 — but within 15 minutes of driving, the CEL went on so I brought it back. Code returned is repeatedly P0765 Shift Solenoid D. Trans guy said he replaced D valve twice. CEL and P0765 continues after returning to the shop two more times and test driving with OBD hooked up, which showed the shift gears operating. Trans guy suggests its electrical, specifically the ECU. He even suggests the CEL stays on because of a burned out marker lamp at left front tire. Because he is so insistent, we take it to an auto electronics specialist and he checks it out and says the electrical is intact and it’s an intermittent problem somewhere within the transmission. He also test drove it from Kalihi to Pearl City (25 miles RT) with the OBD hooked up. The trans guy is reluctant to honor the warranty and keeps reiterating that he replaced the D Solenoid twice! Which beg the questions: 1. where did he get the rebuilt transmission? 2. How many miles was on it? 3. Did he use new or used parts in the first and second replacement for the Solenoid D/valve? 4. Aren’t these valid questions to ask a mechanic? I paid the $2700 plus another several hundred to the auto electronics specialist.
Anyone on island experience a similar problem with their RX300?
(I love my car and originally bought it for the utility, i.e., no transmission hump in the back seat which makes it so practical for interior design and staging. It had been very well maintained and was at 198K miles before trans started to go. I owned a newer model RX350 for a year and an ES300 sedan for 3 years and sold both of these back to dealer but always held onto my RX300.

Last edited by CharAloha; 08-15-18 at 01:47 AM. Reason: Addition
Old 08-15-18, 01:51 AM
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CharAloha
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[QUOTE=CharAloha;10279489]
Took my 2000 RX300 to a transmission shop a few weeks ago and my transmission was rebuilt at a tune of $2700 — but within 15 minutes of driving, the CEL went on so I brought it back. Code returned is repeatedly P0765 Shift Solenoid D. Trans guy said he replaced D valve twice. CEL and P0765 continues after returning to the shop two more times and test driving with OBD hooked up, which showed the shift gears operating. Trans guy suggests its electrical, specifically the ECU. He even suggests the CEL stays on because of a burned out marker lamp at left front tire. Because he is so insistent, we take it to an auto electronics specialist and he checks it out and says the electrical is intact and it’s an intermittent problem somewhere within the transmission. He also test drove it from Kalihi to Pearl City (25 miles RT) with the OBD hooked up. The trans guy is reluctant to honor the warranty and keeps reiterating that he replaced the D Solenoid twice! Which beg the questions: 1. where did he get the rebuilt transmission? 2. How many miles was on it? 3. Did he use new or used parts in the first and second replacement for the Solenoid D/valve? 4. Aren’t these valid questions to ask a mechanic? I paid the $2700 plus another several hundred to the auto electronics specialist.
Anyone on island experience a similar problem with their RX300?
(I love my car and originally bought it for the utility, i.e., no transmission hump in the back seat which makes it so practical for interior design and staging. It had been very well maintained and was at 198K miles before trans started to go. I owned a newer model RX350 for a year and an ES300 sedan for 3 years and sold both of these back to dealer but always held onto my RX300.

Anyone anywhere experience a similar problem? Appreciate any feedback or info concerning as I learned a lot about my car reading through posts on the clublexus site. Mahalo!
Old 08-19-18, 01:09 PM
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sktn77a
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Take it to a dealer (Lexus or Toyota). Their Techstream systems is more sophisticated than a simple code reader. I suspect it is something to do with the solenoid, maybe a bad connector, wiring bushing, etc?
Old 08-19-18, 11:32 PM
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CharAloha
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Default 2000 RX300 Transmission rebuild CEL resolved

Mahalo for your response. I finally took my car into an auto electronics specialist and he did a diagnostic on the computer and electrical outside the trans. He suspected it was the wiring within the harness of the trans leading to Solenoid D Valve, throwing code P0765. Electronics specialist spoke with the trans mechanic and subsequently a new harness was purchased from the dealer and trans reinstalled.
Problem fixed, no more CEL and no codes! Going on Day 3.
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