Help ! Advice On Gearbox Problem

[Spike Miller]

Hi, currenly have a 2001 Mk 1 RX300 with 82k on the clock. Only bought the car around 8 months ago after owning an old Mk 1 GS for 3 years of faultless motoring. I'm aware - now - that the Mk 1 RX has a gearbox issue after reading numerous posts, so could do with a bit of advice as to my next move.

Buzzing whine apeared a few weeks ago. Car was still driving and changing gears correctly. Took it to a Toyota specialist whom I've used for servicing over the last few years. He flushed the gearbox and replaced the fluid. Didn't make any difference to the whine.

Asked around and was told by quite a few people that it was probably the filter ( I presume the pick up filter?). Transpires my mechanic did not replace the filter.

I was still driving the car at this stage. Malfunction Indicator Lamp and VSC warning lamp came on whilst driving on a 30 mile round trip and the gears started jumping from 3rd to 4th.

Rang up my mechanic and organised for him to replace the filter. Only used the car for shot local trips. Although very noisy, especially when cold, it seemed to change gears OK.

Left the car in and was rang up by my mechanic and told that I needed a new gearbox. He informed me that he had spoken to a mechanic who works (or did work for) the main Lexus dealership in Belfast. He told me that the gearbox does not have a filter, and that he was told not to go any further replacing solenoids etc. or any repair as it would be a waste of time, but to replace the box. He was also told that there are currently two Rx's awaiting gearboxes at the main dealers. Also the very same day, another local owner had been on to him with no drive from his RX auto box.

Had to use the car earlier this evening ( no choice) for a 40 mile round trip. I barely got home. Jumping through the gears and towards the end of the journey - no gears.

As I live in Northern Ireland, my options are limited. My mechanic informed me that there are no auto box specialists that he is aware of in Northern Ireland and the numer of salvage yards are limited. I've searched on the web - he seems to be right. Not many Mk 1 Rx300s on the roads here - plenty of Mk 2s.

Is it a forgone conclusion that the box is shot or do I have ay other options open to me, rather that paying £2k+ through the nose to Lexus?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Appologies for the essay.

[ColinBarber]

Hi, I would post on the US forum as they have more experiences with this issue and auto transmissions in general.

[novak]

Hi, currenly have a 2001 Mk 1 RX300 with 82k on the clock. Only bought the car around 8 months ago after owning an old Mk 1 GS for 3 years of faultless motoring. I'm aware - now - that the Mk 1 RX has a gearbox issue after reading numerous posts, so could do with a bit of advice as to my next move.

Buzzing whine apeared a few weeks ago. Car was still driving and changing gears correctly. Took it to a Toyota specialist whom I've used for servicing over the last few years. He flushed the gearbox and replaced the fluid. Didn't make any difference to the whine.

Asked around and was told by quite a few people that it was probably the filter ( I presume the pick up filter?). Transpires my mechanic did not replace the filter.

I was still driving the car at this stage. Malfunction Indicator Lamp and VSC warning lamp came on whilst driving on a 30 mile round trip and the gears started jumping from 3rd to 4th.

Rang up my mechanic and organised for him to replace the filter. Only used the car for shot local trips. Although very noisy, especially when cold, it seemed to change gears OK.

Left the car in and was rang up by my mechanic and told that I needed a new gearbox. He informed me that he had spoken to a mechanic who works (or did work for) the main Lexus dealership in Belfast. He told me that the gearbox does not have a filter, and that he was told not to go any further replacing solenoids etc. or any repair as it would be a waste of time, but to replace the box. He was also told that there are currently two Rx's awaiting gearboxes at the main dealers. Also the very same day, another local owner had been on to him with no drive from his RX auto box.

Had to use the car earlier this evening ( no choice) for a 40 mile round trip. I barely got home. Jumping through the gears and towards the end of the journey - no gears.

As I live in Northern Ireland, my options are limited. My mechanic informed me that there are no auto box specialists that he is aware of in Northern Ireland and the numer of salvage yards are limited. I've searched on the web - he seems to be right. Not many Mk 1 Rx300s on the roads here - plenty of Mk 2s.

Is it a forgone conclusion that the box is shot or do I have ay other options open to me, rather that paying £2k+ through the nose to Lexus?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Appologies for the essay.

I had a similar problem. the gearbox certainly does have a filter as does every automatic so far as i'm aware. i replaced mine along with the correct toyota fluid and have had no problem for the past 4k