'94 LS400 Still

[JDee]

When I put the car in any gear, it revs up to 3,000 and 4,000 RPM, but goes nowhere.  What's wrong?  How much will repairs cost?

[Exhaustgases]

Transmission fluid is way low. Or a mechanical problem like a bad oil pump.

[jamesm182]

Sounds like a transmission fault to me

[JDee]

Thanks for the replies.  I should have mentioned that the Transmission Oil level is fine.

This morning I tried putting it in gear to see if there was a whiring sound when I rev it, but it worked just fine.  I was told it could stop working again when the car warms up.

What does that indicate?

[Exhaustgases]

It could be something to do with the shifter/ switch, or shift solenoid. It worked then the oil / fluid pump must be working okay.

[JDee]

Thanks for the comments you all sent.  Unfortunately, I have learned that my transmission has died. 

I am devastated!  And, Lexus has let me down by not making a new transmission available.  I love my car, and feel like a best friend has died.  I am retired and living on social security, so my budget will only support an older model used car -- NOT a Lexus.  I am hoping to find a car with an actual key, not a computer.  Computers crash and can be hacked, not what one wants in a vehicle.  Wish me luck!

[Exhaustgases]

You could go with a low mile used transmission or a rebuilt one or rebuild yours.

[JDee]

Bob Exhaustgases,

My Lexus was purchased in California.  It's transmission meets California emissions specs which are much more stringent than the east-coast state in which I currently reside.  My Lexus dealer will not or cannot rebuild it, and the possibility of finding a used one with California specs is unlikely.  I am in mourning, but I have survived loss before.  It will just take a little time.

If a used transmission can be located, I will repair it.  I understand from the Lexus dealer that given its clean, excellent condition, I should be able to get $5 or $6 thousand for it.

Thank you for your kind suggestions to salvage my beloved Lexus.  I will not allow Lexus let me down again, so farewell to the Lexus Owners Club.  My Lexus has provided me with a wonderful ride for 23 years, but it is over.  Time to move on.

[VBdenny]

You should be able to find a nice used one around your year for $5000 or less. People keep them a long time. First Lexus transmission failure I've ever heard of. Who pronounced it dead?

[sha4000]

 The dealer will not rebuild a transmission they will just put a USED rebuilt one in if they had to do the repair. I doubt that they even want to be bothered with such an old vehicle. You could find a used one in the junk yard and have a shop that will use OEM parts change the rear main seal as well as flush the fluid before putting it back in your car. Or just rebuild yours it should not cost more than 2-3k depending on what shop you use. Most of that would be labor removing, opening and putting the tranny back in the car. You HAVE to be careful about who you get to perform this work and be sure to get at least a 12 month warranty if you can. These trannies usually don't break unless they have been run low on fluid and/or the fluid has never been changed. I understand the fixed income part so this might not even be an option.

[JDee]

Denny,

Thanks for your comments.  In the first place, Lexus has let me down once so I will not be giving them another chance to do the same.  Get me once, shame on you - get me twice, shame on me.  No thanks!

I must admit that, other than the transmission fluid being darkish, the fluid level had always been fine and I had no problems with the trans until after the Lexus dealer said the trans had a small fluid leak.  I had the seals replaced and that is when things started going downhill.  After I started having serious issues with the transmission, I did some research on general transmission failure symptoms and causes.  I discovered I had experienced almost everything several sources reported, so when the Lexus dealer told me the trans had failed I believed them.

Now, it has crossed my mind that they may have sabotaged my Lexus.  Maybe they didn't want to have to work on it anymore.  Maybe they didn't want to have to keep telling me they could not get parts I might need in future.  Maybe they thought I would purchase a new Lexus from them.  Maybe there was no sabotage.  Maybe it is time for me to get a new car.  In the end, done is done.  Time to move on.  I wish that next time I purchase a new car I could afford to buy 2, and run the second one only occasionally to keep it viable.  That way, I would always have parts available.

[Exhaustgases]

If it was what I'm looking for condition wise and options color, year  etc. I would be interested in it. Only looking for 90 to 92.