I have a 99 RX300 that has been running just fine. Today I used it to tow some bamboo to the dump (very light). I actually made two trips, backing into the stall each time and backing into it's parking location on my property. Everything was fine.

I then went to use the car a few hours later and the strangest thing is happening. It doesn't matter what gear I am in, the car wanted to go in reverse. I shut the car off and then tried to restart, but it wouldn't even turn over, as if you tried to start while in reverse. I also noticed the backup lights on even when the car is off. Additionally, the light in the dashboard reads "R" when it is in any gear. Is this electrical issue?

I did do some wire work to my trailer recently. Is it possible that maybe I shorted out something? Hopefully not the ECU.

 

Had another thought. Perhaps the shift cable has broken or come off ( ). Anyone ever experienced this before? It would explain why the car thinks it is in reverse, why the backup lights are on, why I can't start the car.

 

Have a helper move the shift lever (safely) and watch the gear selector lever.

 

First check your fluid level for cold without warmup. Smell the fluid too and examine the clarity of the fluid.

As you rove the gear shifter, what election you see in the dash. The dash bulbs will tell you the gear the vehicle thinks you are in. If they cycle through PRND along with the shift gear then it can be transmission, But if they are out of sync then there is problem with the linkage.

Salim

 

Thank you LeX2K and salimshah. I really appreciate your ideas and suggestions at what is probably a pretty late hour. I was able to pop off the fake wood grain shroud and sure enough my shift cable came off the shift lever. So glad it is not something more serious. I'll be buying a replacement cable tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

Thanks for the update. This is the same problem that happens to some years of the ES300 I should have remembered that and posted about it.