Don't know what to do

Felix814 · June 8, 2017

I have a 95 Lexus es300 automatic . I am currently on my 4th tran smission since September of 2015. So far all 4 transmission continue to have shifts slipping. Just today I was driving down the road and I was going about 50 mph and suddenly the car shuts off but the radio and windows still work. I had to crank it a couple times before it turned back on. I have been told that it may be the ecu. I went to orileys auto parts to get my check engine light checked and it won't read. The employee tried it about 5 times and every single time failed. Is this a sign of a bad ecu?

gbhrps · June 9, 2017

Felix814,

First off, there aren't many wrenchers on this site who have a lot of knowledge of the specifics of these cars. Many here do their own brake jobs, etc., but not a great deal beyond that. And Lexus holds their factory service manuals close so they are expensive as he** to buy. So I wouldn't bet that anyone here can give you an absolute and correct answer.

That said, 4 trannies in 3 years says you are either beating that car to death with racing and drifting, or you are getting a lot of bad advice from people who really don't know, but are willing to take your money and hopefully correct the issue, which they haven't done so far. You need to find a GOOD independent mechanic (Why pay Lexus prices when the guy who fixes Camry's can do the same job without the high overhead?) who you can trust, and have him or her trace the issue down. It may well be the ECU or perhaps the tranny module, or even a bad wiring harness that some mouse decided to lunch on. Spend the money to get a proper diagnosis from an expert. Good Luck!

pj8708 · June 9, 2017

Felix814

Hi and welcome. Gene makes some good points and I would encourage you to follow up on those. Also, as Gene also said, there is a major problem some where with your trany. But, am I correctly understanding that all of your electrical parts go out (except radio and windows) when this slip happens? Do you have to replace fuses or alternator fuse? Has anyone been able to pull down the codes? It sure sounds like something other than the trany.

For the best technical information on Lexus, I suggest going to Toyota Information Service - TIS.com. This is Toyota's main site for tech info for Lexus, Toyota, an Scion. They charge $15. for 48 hours of use. Everything you need is probably there.

Let us know how things are going.

Paul

Felix814 · June 9, 2017

Felix814,

First off, there aren't many wrenchers on this site who have a lot of knowledge of the specifics of these cars. Many here do their own brake jobs, etc., but not a great deal beyond that. And Lexus holds their factory service manuals close so they are expensive as he** to buy. So I wouldn't bet that anyone here can give you an absolute and correct answer.

That said, 4 trannies in 3 years says you are either beating that car to death with racing and drifting, or you are getting a lot of bad advice from people who really don't know, but are willing to take your money and hopefully correct the issue, which they haven't done so far. You need to find a GOOD independent mechanic (Why pay Lexus prices when the guy who fixes Camry's can do the same job without the high overhead?) who you can trust, and have him or her trace the issue down. It may well be the ECU or perhaps the tranny module, or even a bad wiring harness that some mouse decided to lunch on. Spend the money to get a proper diagnosis from an expert. Good Luck!

I bought the ecu Wednesday and I get it today do you think I should put it in? I paid 300 for it brand beenew

Felix814 · June 9, 2017

Felix814

Hi and welcome. Gene makes some good points and I would encourage you to follow up on those. Also, as Gene also said, there is a major problem some where with your trany. But, am I correctly understanding that all of your electrical parts go out (except radio and windows) when this slip happens? Do you have to replace fuses or alternator fuse? Has anyone been able to pull down the codes? It sure sounds like something other than the trany.

For the best technical information on Lexus, I suggest going to Toyota Information Service - TIS.com. This is Toyota's main site for tech info for Lexus, Toyota, an Scion. They charge $15. for 48 hours of use. Everything you need is probably there.

Let us know how things are going.

Paul

No relays or fuses are replaced car starts back up right away or sometimes there's a delay and I have to wait about 5 minutes

Maison · June 9, 2017

Yeah that's really a lot. You gotta take to the real specialist I guess cause 4 trannies, that's a lot and yo don't beat this car do you?
My uncle just served himself this one: https://dsrleasing.com/car-listings/2017-lexus-gs-350-awd-lease-519-mo/ Damn, it's lovely and you are guaranteed from those things to not happen, but not every got that kind of dough though.