Transmission Problems Caused By Etc Snow?

[alessie04]

So I have had my much-loved '99 RX 300 AWD for about 3 years now. About 9 months ago, I noticed that the car wasn't shifting after 3rd gear. Took it in and eventually learned that it was probably the sensors that had gone bad. Apparently, Lexus had faulty sensors and the car needed new ones, including a new wiring harness. The cost of this was MUCH less than a new Transmission so I thought I would give it a shot. I paid about $500 for the new sensors (part and labor included), and the car started shifting normal again.

I was estatic that I didn't purchase a whole new tranny. Welll....I'm in Colorado and today and yesterday have been VERY cold days. I let the car warm up for about 20 minutes. On my way home yesterday I used the "snow" button (for the first time in a LONG time) to get out of a parking lot, turned it off when I got to clear roads,and then the check engine light came on and the car would shake everytime I was stopped, like it was idling very high. I made it home though. Today, I let the car warm up (it's -6 degrees today), and then tried to drive, and it is not shifting AT ALL.

I can't get the car to go past 20mph without it whining.

I'm beginning to wondering if the SNOW button has anything to do with this problem.

I hope that I don't need a new Transmission...I still owe $7k on the car and have already put $3k into it this past year (for normal wear and tear issues).

Any help or info is greatly apppreciated!!!!

[Pia]

So I have had my much-loved '99 RX 300 AWD for about 3 years now. About 9 months ago, I noticed that the car wasn't shifting after 3rd gear. Took it in and eventually learned that it was probably the sensors that had gone bad. Apparently, Lexus had faulty sensors and the car needed new ones, including a new wiring harness. The cost of this was MUCH less than a new Transmission so I thought I would give it a shot. I paid about $500 for the new sensors (part and labor included), and the car started shifting normal again.

I was estatic that I didn't purchase a whole new tranny. Welll....I'm in Colorado and today and yesterday have been VERY cold days. I let the car warm up for about 20 minutes. On my way home yesterday I used the "snow" button (for the first time in a LONG time) to get out of a parking lot, turned it off when I got to clear roads,and then the check engine light came on and the car would shake everytime I was stopped, like it was idling very high. I made it home though. Today, I let the car warm up (it's -6 degrees today), and then tried to drive, and it is not shifting AT ALL.

I can't get the car to go past 20mph without it whining.

I'm beginning to wondering if the SNOW button has anything to do with this problem.

I hope that I don't need a new Transmission...I still owe $7k on the car and have already put $3k into it this past year (for normal wear and tear issues).

Any help or info is greatly apppreciated!!!!

On the opposite side of the same button is the ECT Power. I find that the acceleration is much more "normal"then. I.E. my Lexus RX 300 1999 will accelerate at the same pace as most other cars or SUVs. But also check the manual since I have not done that yet.