Help - "R" Reverse gear does not work
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Help - "R" Reverse gear does not work
Started my 2001 RX300 (81,000 miles), tried to reverse it and did not move, the "D" drive works moves forward .. as it is in my Garage so that does not help, not much room to move forward. I tried pushing it out in "N" and it does not move either .. feels like it's locked up. I have started reading the forum to find out what might be the cause and a solution.
Not sure if the transmission needs replacing? I had to leave the RX home and took my old Camry to work. If it is transmission then I'll have to take it to Toyota since Lexus will be really expensive.. Any clues if could be as simple as a resetting the battery (it's a new battery), any oil levels that may matter. I really hate taking the vehicle in for repairs without knowing what the problems, been burnt many times.
Really stressed .. any suggestions will be really appreciated..
Not sure if the transmission needs replacing? I had to leave the RX home and took my old Camry to work. If it is transmission then I'll have to take it to Toyota since Lexus will be really expensive.. Any clues if could be as simple as a resetting the battery (it's a new battery), any oil levels that may matter. I really hate taking the vehicle in for repairs without knowing what the problems, been burnt many times.
Really stressed .. any suggestions will be really appreciated..
#2
Moderator
It can be as simple as linkage slip to as complex as the transmission needs replacement.
Please check with Lexus .. the following is my personal opinion:
Just be aware that if you want any goodwill from Lexus, the repairs should be performed by Lexus. Toyota might work if, there is no Lexus dealership around.
Salim
Please check with Lexus .. the following is my personal opinion:
Just be aware that if you want any goodwill from Lexus, the repairs should be performed by Lexus. Toyota might work if, there is no Lexus dealership around.
Salim
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Salim, Thanks for the suggestion. Is there something that I can look at before towing it to Lexus, my concern is Lexus will come with long list of work that needs doing and the next thing I know they will get for double what I should be paying, I have lost faith with garages.
#4
Moderator
Other than checking that you have transfluid (check dip stick) and look for leaks below, there is little you can do. Also check that in "N" you can roll the vehicle (jammed brakes/wheels).
Then you have to go for the expert help. Call and consult with the Lexus service and then do a worst case analysis. Check with them the cost of diagnosis (without repair) and add all towing charges if you chose to go some-where else. At dealer you are looking at $4.5K (unless Lexus throws in good-will). Call around the Tshops that you would consider going to and establish their repair cost. I would not be surprised if all tell you that they have to open up the transmission to tell you what will be the real cost of repair .. so mentally be prepared to do the full overhaul.
Personally I would lean towards going to the dealership [lots of ppl may disagree]. You will have to make the choice.
Try PM thomas1.
Salim
Then you have to go for the expert help. Call and consult with the Lexus service and then do a worst case analysis. Check with them the cost of diagnosis (without repair) and add all towing charges if you chose to go some-where else. At dealer you are looking at $4.5K (unless Lexus throws in good-will). Call around the Tshops that you would consider going to and establish their repair cost. I would not be surprised if all tell you that they have to open up the transmission to tell you what will be the real cost of repair .. so mentally be prepared to do the full overhaul.
Personally I would lean towards going to the dealership [lots of ppl may disagree]. You will have to make the choice.
Try PM thomas1.
Salim
#5
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks. I would agree with you Salim about going to Lexus dealership. I have a buddy of mine coming over today or tomorrow give me a second opinion.
I had new rotors, pads (front and back) installed last week, I am looking to keep the vehicle for longer period of time.
I had new rotors, pads (front and back) installed last week, I am looking to keep the vehicle for longer period of time.
#6
Lexus Test Driver
I would be reluctant to call Lexus or Toyota. Due to the history of trans failures on the RX will get the standard short answer that you need a trans for about 4 or 5 k. A trans shop will most likely want to tow it in to diagnose and then tell you you need a trans for anywhere from about 2K to about 4.5K. And you may very well need a trans but there are a number of things you can try first which may fix the problem.
I know you said that you can't push it in neutral, but when you put it in reverse does the engine bog down a little like something is locked up or does the engine just rev like there is no connection from the engine to the drive wheels?
I would first try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a few minutes to reset everything. This is a long shot but it is the easiest to try.
There have been 3 or 4 other instances of owners with the reverse problem (myself included) and we were able to fix the problem by cleaning the speed sensors. Cleaning the speed sensors is no harder than an oil change, maybe easier. So, if you can change your own oil you should have no problem. If not grab a friend who can. Here is a link with a picture of a trans. The speed sensor is black plastic and is on the right. It is held in by a 12mm bolt. In the post just below the pic I have some basic directions.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=speed+sensors
I know you said that you can't push it in neutral, but when you put it in reverse does the engine bog down a little like something is locked up or does the engine just rev like there is no connection from the engine to the drive wheels?
I would first try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a few minutes to reset everything. This is a long shot but it is the easiest to try.
There have been 3 or 4 other instances of owners with the reverse problem (myself included) and we were able to fix the problem by cleaning the speed sensors. Cleaning the speed sensors is no harder than an oil change, maybe easier. So, if you can change your own oil you should have no problem. If not grab a friend who can. Here is a link with a picture of a trans. The speed sensor is black plastic and is on the right. It is held in by a 12mm bolt. In the post just below the pic I have some basic directions.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=speed+sensors
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Hi Mikey00, Thanks for couple of suggestions. When i put it in reverse it does not sound as if it engaged, engine just revs like there is no connection from the engine to the drive wheels. When I put the gear into neutral and try pushing the suv it feels as it's locked, not moving an inch.
Later this evening I try disconnecting the negative battery terminal to reset. Thanks also for the link to the picture of cleaning the speed sensors. I will give it a shot too and keep this board updated.
Later this evening I try disconnecting the negative battery terminal to reset. Thanks also for the link to the picture of cleaning the speed sensors. I will give it a shot too and keep this board updated.
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#8
Lexus Test Driver
Hi Mikey00, Thanks for couple of suggestions. When i put it in reverse it does not sound as if it engaged, engine just revs like there is no connection from the engine to the drive wheels. When I put the gear into neutral and try pushing the suv it feels as it's locked, not moving an inch.
Later this evening I try disconnecting the negative battery terminal to reset. Thanks also for the link to the picture of cleaning the speed sensors. I will give it a shot too and keep this board updated.
Later this evening I try disconnecting the negative battery terminal to reset. Thanks also for the link to the picture of cleaning the speed sensors. I will give it a shot too and keep this board updated.
#9
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I disconnected the negative battery terminal to reset and started the SUV it was the same, no difference, "R" and "N" not working. Next I tried shifting the gears from Park to the lowest gear and up and down few times and I noticed it engage in reverse, reserve worked and then put the SUV in neutral and pushed it and that too worked. I am wondering if the "R" and "N" will stop working again soon, I guess I will find out in next few days.
The next step for me is to clean the speed sensors, hope to do that with my buddy who knows a bit more about cars then I do. I will keep you posted in next few days.
Mikey00, Thanks for your suggestions.
The next step for me is to clean the speed sensors, hope to do that with my buddy who knows a bit more about cars then I do. I will keep you posted in next few days.
Mikey00, Thanks for your suggestions.
#11
Moderator
I hope the fix works for you.
Salim
Salim
#12
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Bernardino, CA
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I disconnected the negative battery terminal to reset and started the SUV it was the same, no difference, "R" and "N" not working. Next I tried shifting the gears from Park to the lowest gear and up and down few times and I noticed it engage in reverse, reserve worked and then put the SUV in neutral and pushed it and that too worked. I am wondering if the "R" and "N" will stop working again soon, I guess I will find out in next few days.
The next step for me is to clean the speed sensors, hope to do that with my buddy who knows a bit more about cars then I do. I will keep you posted in next few days.
Mikey00, Thanks for your suggestions.
The next step for me is to clean the speed sensors, hope to do that with my buddy who knows a bit more about cars then I do. I will keep you posted in next few days.
Mikey00, Thanks for your suggestions.
#13
Driver School Candidate
Started my 2001 RX300 (81,000 miles), tried to reverse it and did not move, the "D" drive works moves forward .. as it is in my Garage so that does not help, not much room to move forward. I tried pushing it out in "N" and it does not move either .. feels like it's locked up. I have started reading the forum to find out what might be the cause and a solution.
Not sure if the transmission needs replacing? I had to leave the RX home and took my old Camry to work. If it is transmission then I'll have to take it to Toyota since Lexus will be really expensive.. Any clues if could be as simple as a resetting the battery (it's a new battery), any oil levels that may matter. I really hate taking the vehicle in for repairs without knowing what the problems, been burnt many times.
Really stressed .. any suggestions will be really appreciated..
Not sure if the transmission needs replacing? I had to leave the RX home and took my old Camry to work. If it is transmission then I'll have to take it to Toyota since Lexus will be really expensive.. Any clues if could be as simple as a resetting the battery (it's a new battery), any oil levels that may matter. I really hate taking the vehicle in for repairs without knowing what the problems, been burnt many times.
Really stressed .. any suggestions will be really appreciated..
Some things still baffles me. I hope replacing the speed sensors took care of the problem and a little "push" helped the vehicle to engage the gear. So the question is, if I pushed the vehicle without replacing the sensors, will I be able to move the vehicle just the same?
Interesting problem. I'll post updates as something developed.
#14
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Join Date: Oct 2009
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Same problem, then tranny failed
I just bought an 02 RXAWD 300 last month, with 94K. Previous owners had all service perfomed at Lexus. I got their repair records, and it showed they had problems with Reverse not working in January...took it Lexus, they couldn't duplicate problem and said everything was fine. Right after I bought it, same thing happened a few times. Then this weekend we're driving to Minneapolis and the car stops working, 300 miles from home. Take it to shop and sure enough, transmission is shot. "No internal pressure" says the mechanic. Now I'm looking at a 4K repair for a car that was religiously serviced by Lexus, and when the transmission problems started they said all was fine. Now I read lots of problems with transmissions, and many start with the Reverse gear problem. We have 3 Lexus' with no major problems...I'm very annoyed. Any ideas? Sensors were checked, they aren't the problem.
#15
Driver School Candidate
How were they checked? Using the magnet and voltmeter procedure? I will replace them just to be sure before replacing the transmission.
Also, when you say the car stops working? Is the forward or reverse not working by pressing the trottle and the feeling is the car is in neutral?
I wonder what will happen if you replace the sensors and give the car a "push"?
Also, when you say the car stops working? Is the forward or reverse not working by pressing the trottle and the feeling is the car is in neutral?
I wonder what will happen if you replace the sensors and give the car a "push"?