Can Anyone Help With Rx300 Transmission Problem

Rx300-SE · March 7, 2011

Hi all, I have a RX300 SE 2004REG, UK SPEC, 41K miles, The car runs on LPG have LPG since 25k mile, Now 42k miles, 1prev owner

The engine managment light + VSC light is on

One morning the car will not move forward nor move backwards, Ill have to floor the acceleration to get a slight movement either way.

I abandoned the car for two weeks while I search for solution, went back into the car 2weeks later and I manage to drive it all day as if nothing had happened.

Took it straight to Lexus Sidcup for full service and diagnosis/Investigation

Lexus could not find what the problem 'cos:

1.They claimed that the they can only diagnose/fix this issue whilst the problem is active{sounds like bull **** to me}

2. They claimed the engine managment light + VSC light cannot be cleared and its a known issue with LPG fitted Lexus RX300

I've got the car fully serviced with transmission fluid changed but I still have this intermittent transmission failure.

SYMPTOMS OF MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE:

Unable to drive off from temporary stop once in a while, i.e while a traffic stop/light and Ill have to switch off the engine, restart the car to get it moving again

The car drive slowly early in the morning like a cold engine warming up and get normal after a while

Ill drive into a car park normally, and while trying to reverse park

becomes impossible or Ill have rev sooo high to reverse park the car

This is so worrying for me 'cos I dont wanna get stuck on the motorways one day, although I have AA backup

Could it be the transmission Shift solenoid ?

ANY ONE ELSE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE

Stuart 123 · March 8, 2011

hi

Run a 2001 rx300,104 thou,on lpg.

Had a problem when cold start as you knowon petrol,starts ok but power is poor until warms up switches to LPG then all good.

I tied a few things messing with a/f sensors ( cause of mil on dash)butnot a real engine power problem .

Stripped and cleaned petol pump blue out all petol lines (had to take pump out of tank now ok,

Not sure if you have problem on LPG as well but if just petrol this work above might help

Stuart

stuart.law60yahoo.com

arkamz · July 4, 2013

Hiya,

Were you able to get your car sorted? And what was the exact problem? As I am having the same trouble, moves forward but won't reverse, just got fitted with LPG and i bought it with 101k on the Clock, had Lexus Service History upto 90k, LPG got fitted exactly at 100k, drove fine in the first few drives, Shock absorber was not as good, got it changed, paid 300 for a used pneumatic shocks absorber. And all of a sudden reversing from the garage on a slope, Engine Check Lights illuminated, drove around came back, tried reversing again but no reverse, moves forward but would not engage in reverse at all, tried everything. Please any help on what you did would be of a great help.

Cheers!

Mo

jasons · July 4, 2013

Mo, the original poster hasnt been on the site in 2 years, so I suggest he isnt going to respond....

By the sounds of it, are you sure you havent bought his car!!??

J

arkamz · July 4, 2013

Hi J,

Lol, at first I thought i did. But no i didn't. As the LPG on this just got fitted a 1000 miles ago. Well it was a c1201 error, tried looking around. Showed it to a mechanic, he's doing some checks, to me it looked like a small thing as if the ecu is messing it up, or some other electric component. But after his diagnostics he tends to insist that its the gearbox itself, and needs a reconditioning. He is a gearbox specialist, so i don't know he wants to fix the small bit and make money off me with the reconditioning. Just can't figure out whats right and true, lol.

Mo

ColinBarber · July 4, 2013

you would normally get more error codes in addition to a c1201 which is an ECU communication error. When you get that error the vehicle will normally go into a limp mode and shut down traction control etc so that could explain the issues you experienced.

At this stage I'm not sure you could attribute this to a transmission fault, not unless you had other error codes to support that.

arkamz · July 4, 2013

Hmm, Thanks for your reply. But I have no clue now. He thinks its 100% gearbox and wants to recondition it.

Rx300-SE · July 31, 2013

@ arkamz , The issue with my Lexus is not related to the Prinz LPG system but more too do with the transmission fluid level,

The transmission fluid was low due to leakeage on the CV joint seal, but im still using it like this till date - I just regularly top up the fluid.

And I still get intermitent failure once in a while, in mornings the car will not just move from a cold start, especially during winter periods. During winter periods, Ill need to wait for 5-10 minutes for the car to warm up before I start to drive

I'm due to change the CV joint seal this week and hopefully the transmission fluid leakeage will stop and Ill see if there is any more failure

Can anyone recommend a very goood garage to do repairs on Lexus RX300 (04reg)Cars

I've just been quoted by Lexus Sidcup :

Rear brakes -- --£390 (Supply & fitted)

Front Brakes --- £390(Supply & fitted)

Spark Plugs ---- £390(Supply & fitted)

Cv joint seal -- --- £390(Supply & fitted)

@ arkamz ,Please advice me where you bought the Pneumatic shocks absorbers from and how to go about replacement

Thanks

ColinBarber · July 31, 2013

can you clarify what is required with your brakes? Essentials pricing for front brake and discs should be no more than £325, less for the rear - those are prices set by Lexus GB and dealers shouldn't go above those prices

http://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/lexus-servicing/#/FixedPricePromise