I have a 2004 Lexus ES330 with only 130,000 miles on it. Recently the car has begun to slip or stutter a little going into third gear. Is this a bad transmission issue, solenoid, or something else? I don't want to take it in for repair yet because I don't want to get sold on a new transmission if it is not necessary and there is an easier and cheaper remedy. Thank you.
I should add, the stutter is very quick, and the motor is not reeving high. It's more like the car has to quickly think about what it wants to do for a half second, which is followed by a very short and slight jerk, and then the car is in third gear.
Not sure it ever was, although I did have a solenoid replaced so it may have been serviced at that time, around 70,000 miles. The check engine light is NOT on.
Chances are fluid was changed when the solenoid was replaced since that involves dropping the pan - unless they put the old fluid back in. Even assuming it was changed back then it is due (perhaps overdue) for another change now. Just be sure fluid is not burnt and gritty which indicates excessive internal wear - in that case the suspended grit may be all that's permitting the transmission to work at all.
A transmission fault will not necessarily trigger the check engine light. It would really need to be scanned for codes with a professional-grade scan tool that can read transmission codes and do bidirectional testing.
Thank you! Really appreciate the reply.
I don't want to take it in for repair
Talk to a specialist. Have him evaluate it. You don't have to buy anything. He's not going to hold a gun to your head. You can always get second opinion somewhere else.
He might say you need new tranny, or he might say something else. (keep in mind that you may ACTUALLY need a new tranny.)
You won't find out much sitting on your tukus though.
There isn't a lot you can do. You can try changing the fluid and filter (which you should have been doing regularly), and that's about it.
If the problem is internal then the transmission's gotta come out regardless.
Thanks. Much appreciated.
When is the last time the transmission was serviced?
Not sure it ever was, although I did have a solenoid replaced so it may have been serviced at that time, around 70,000 miles. The check engine light is NOT on.