Scotty. I have a 2005 ES 330 with 211000 miles which runs like its brand new -- always use Castrol Engine oil and Lucas with every oil change. The transmission shifts a bit hard alot and slips sometimes depending on throttle position. I had the same issue with my 2001 ES 300 and a rebuild did not solve the issue on that car however the tech did a reset of the ecm and for about 50 miles the transmission shifted perfectly after it re learned the shift points and then it went back to the hard shifts and slipping. I brought the 2005 to my transmission shop and the tech did a reset and the transmission is shifting much better for the first 200 miles however it is starting to shift hard again and an occaisional slip -- the tech told me that these cars have an issue with the ecm programming from the factory and I may be able to get the dealer to do an upgrade to the ecm to solve the problem. After ALOT of research online I discovered that reportedly inputs from sensors etc can effect the ecm and cause these transmission issues as well even with no codes. What are your thoughts / experience with these older Lexus/Toyota transmissions?
If getting it updated is fixing the problem each time, then there is definitely a software issue. You can't fix a physical internal problem just by updating the software.
I would go to the dealer as the tech recommended and see if there is an update that you don't have.
It is probably not a direct tranny issues rather needs some kind of software update. See a dealer.
