94 Es300 Won't Shift Into Overdrive

[94 es300]

Ok guys drove the care about 40 miles on the interstate today stopped for awhile went to come home and the car will not shift into overdrive shifts smoothly into all the gears but no overdrive and yeah I checked the overdrive button and it is pushed in.

What to check. ???????????????

[wwest]

Depending on miles/years/wear rate the engine may not be able to produce enough HP/torque to move you forward at interstate speeds before descenting into the "lugging" zone. Are you may have fueled with an unusually low fuel grade, below tolerance, the engine started pinging and even before your ears detected it the engine ECU took over and said no overdrive.

[94 es300]

Depending on miles/years/wear rate the engine may not be able to produce enough HP/torque to move you forward at interstate speeds before descenting into the "lugging" zone. Are you may have fueled with an unusually low fuel grade, below tolerance, the engine started pinging and even before your ears detected it the engine ECU took over and said no overdrive.

The car has 54,000 mile on it and runs like a champ. Shifts through all the gears fine just no over drive.?????

[Ren]

I had simliar problem on my 94 ES300 at 171K mileage. At first Lexus did a diagnostic which revealed that both the speedometer sensor and the ECU were having issues. They determined the cost to replace the speedometer sensor was less and thought the other code malfunction (might) go away if the speedometer sensor was replaced. They were wrong: The changing of the speedometer sensor did nothing. In the end they replaced the ECU and the issue has gone away.

The codes were P0500 and P0720.

Other symptoms which I experienced was the OD indicator light would flash if the OD button was depressed. If not depressed, no flashing. This is because it never left 3rd gear. Also, my check engine light came on intermittently.

The dealership did agree that the ECU should have been replaced first and not the speedometer sensor, therefore the cost of the first job was credited against the final cost.

[94 es300]

I had simliar problem on my 94 ES300 at 171K mileage. At first Lexus did a diagnostic which revealed that both the speedometer sensor and the ECU were having issues. They determined the cost to replace the speedometer sensor was less and thought the other code malfunction (might) go away if the speedometer sensor was replaced. They were wrong: The changing of the speedometer sensor did nothing. In the end they replaced the ECU and the issue has gone away.

The codes were P0500 and P0720.

Other symptoms which I experienced was the OD indicator light would flash if the OD button was depressed. If not depressed, no flashing. This is because it never left 3rd gear. Also, my check engine light came on intermittently.

The dealership did agree that the ECU should have been replaced first and not the speedometer sensor, therefore the cost of the first job was credited against the final cost.

I don't have any check engine lights, no blinking o/d light nothing out of the ordinary. I think it may have something to do with the braking senor or something may the system thinks the brakes are being applied???????????

[94 es300]

I had simliar problem on my 94 ES300 at 171K mileage. At first Lexus did a diagnostic which revealed that both the speedometer sensor and the ECU were having issues. They determined the cost to replace the speedometer sensor was less and thought the other code malfunction (might) go away if the speedometer sensor was replaced. They were wrong: The changing of the speedometer sensor did nothing. In the end they replaced the ECU and the issue has gone away.

The codes were P0500 and P0720.

Other symptoms which I experienced was the OD indicator light would flash if the OD button was depressed. If not depressed, no flashing. This is because it never left 3rd gear. Also, my check engine light came on intermittently.

The dealership did agree that the ECU should have been replaced first and not the speedometer sensor, therefore the cost of the first job was credited against the final cost.

Ok what about the Vechile Speed Sensor, could it be bad. Today the car shifted into overdrive and had no issues on the way to work on the interstate however coming home air on the car came out of overdrive then back in and back out three times then was fine again. ??????????????

[94 es300]

I had simliar problem on my 94 ES300 at 171K mileage. At first Lexus did a diagnostic which revealed that both the speedometer sensor and the ECU were having issues. They determined the cost to replace the speedometer sensor was less and thought the other code malfunction (might) go away if the speedometer sensor was replaced. They were wrong: The changing of the speedometer sensor did nothing. In the end they replaced the ECU and the issue has gone away.

The codes were P0500 and P0720.

Other symptoms which I experienced was the OD indicator light would flash if the OD button was depressed. If not depressed, no flashing. This is because it never left 3rd gear. Also, my check engine light came on intermittently.

The dealership did agree that the ECU should have been replaced first and not the speedometer sensor, therefore the cost of the first job was credited against the final cost.

Ok what about the Vechile Speed Sensor, could it be bad. Today the car shifted into overdrive and had no issues on the way to work on the interstate however coming home air on the car came out of overdrive then back in and back out three times then was fine again. ??????????????

Could I have an air conditioning issue that would cause this it doesn't happen when the air is off. ???

[BUTCH003]

Depending on miles/years/wear rate the engine may not be able to produce enough HP/torque to move you forward at interstate speeds before descenting into the "lugging" zone. Are you may have fueled with an unusually low fuel grade, below tolerance, the engine started pinging and even before your ears detected it the engine ECU took over and said no overdrive.

The car has 54,000 mile on it and runs like a champ. Shifts through all the gears fine just no over drive.?????

I went through exactly the same problem for 2 months took it to Lexus in Hawaii and they told me it would cost about $1,300 to replace the computer. Found a mechanic who rebuilt mine for $450

the name of the his shop is ML Autotronics in hawaii. Car has been running perfectly since then.

[94 es300]

Depending on miles/years/wear rate the engine may not be able to produce enough HP/torque to move you forward at interstate speeds before descenting into the "lugging" zone. Are you may have fueled with an unusually low fuel grade, below tolerance, the engine started pinging and even before your ears detected it the engine ECU took over and said no overdrive.

The car has 54,000 mile on it and runs like a champ. Shifts through all the gears fine just no over drive.?????

I went through exactly the same problem for 2 months took it to Lexus in Hawaii and they told me it would cost about $1,300 to replace the computer. Found a mechanic who rebuilt mine for $450

the name of the his shop is ML Autotronics in hawaii. Car has been running perfectly since then.

Butch003 did your's ever through a code.? Did your's shift fine through all the gears and overdrive for several days then not shift into overdirive say in the morning then after sitting work fine again??? This is driving me crazy I love this car but I have to have overdrive you know what I mean. Can a person order a new computer and replace it themselves.?

[BUTCH003]

Depending on miles/years/wear rate the engine may not be able to produce enough HP/torque to move you forward at interstate speeds before descenting into the "lugging" zone. Are you may have fueled with an unusually low fuel grade, below tolerance, the engine started pinging and even before your ears detected it the engine ECU took over and said no overdrive.

The car has 54,000 mile on it and runs like a champ. Shifts through all the gears fine just no over drive.?????

I went through exactly the same problem for 2 months took it to Lexus in Hawaii and they told me it would cost about $1,300 to replace the computer. Found a mechanic who rebuilt mine for $450

the name of the his shop is ML Autotronics in hawaii. Car has been running perfectly since then.

Butch003 did your's ever through a code.? Did your's shift fine through all the gears and overdrive for several days then not shift into overdirive say in the morning then after sitting work fine again??? This is driving me crazy I love this car but I have to have overdrive you know what I mean. Can a person order a new computer and replace it themselves.?

When Lexus Diagnosed my car it gave 8 different codes, Vehicle speed sensor, Overdrive sensor, along with 6 other meaningless codes. My car did the exact same thing as you mentioned.

When I took it to Mike at ML Autotronics he said if the Brain of the car is not working properly

it can't be diagnosed properly. You can call around places like Redline Automotive or Checkers,

They give a one year warranty where Mike at ML Autotronics gives a 2 year warranty but in any case you do have to send yours in and it takes about 1 week to 10 days. The ECU is located under

your glovebox beneath the panel. If you are mechanically inclined, you can do it. My car has been running perfectly ever since then. No more Squeezing my --- anymore when I drive. You can call

Mike at ML Autotronics Specialist at (808)596-9888. Hope this helps