Hi Scotty!
So I have a Lexus ES 300 99, and it has been a good car overall. Only 186K on it. I had someone install a reman lexus transmission (u140e, from the dealer, so I know it is good) in December of last year, and it has about 3000 miles on the new transmission. I initially put DexIII in it, but I more recently put in Toyota IV because that’s the correct fluid (although I may do one more drain and fill just to make sure the DexIII is mostly gone, as I think some DexIII is still in the transmission). Shifting between most gears seems more smooth now, and overall, I think the new fluid helped.
Still, however, there’s a weird behavior that I don’t know what to do about. Sometimes, although not every time: maybe every couple of days or every week, when I put the car into reverse shortly after getting into the car, it jerks a few times. This is fixed if I put it back into drive and then back into reverse. It tends only to happen right after I start the car and does not happen at all if I wait for a bit before actually putting the car into gear. It does not happen in any other gear.
What should I do here? I want to post a video, but it does not happen enough to get a video, and it does not last very long either. Should I take it back to the guy who installed the transmission? Was it poor installation? Or maybe the issue will disappear once I put in another round of Toyota IV?
Thank you
I'd certainly talk to the mechanic who installed it first. If they are responsible, they will want to stand behind their work.
Let me verify this somewhat unusual sequence of events . The transmission came from a dealer, but an independent mechanic installed it but didn't fill it with the Toyota specified fluid, and presumably didn't road test it because it had no fluid? And you filled it at the mechanic's shop and drove it home?
Hi there, and thank you for your reply. I purchased Dex III because my owners manual said that, and I brought the fluid and the transmission to the mechanic. He replaced everything, and it seemed to be fine, but I noticed this issue would happen every week or two. More recently, I realized Type IV is the right fluid, as it is stated on the dipstick. But For some reason my owners manual is wrong. So I drained the pain and put in type iv.
OK - with automatic transmissions, draining them will only remove part of the fluid, so you now have half and half. So, maybe doing another drain and refill will do something - or not. Similarly, if you hook the car up to a high-end scan tool, you could see if one of the solenoids is sticking or some other problem was the cause. I would put this in your mechanic's lap, as I bet you pad some substantial $ for the trans and installation. They should help you with this.
Thank you for your reply. I will do another drain and fill and then reach out to my mechanic if there’s no change. Thank you.
There’s also a pretty good chance I overfilled the transmission fluid and need to drain some of it.