Mystery Problem

[2007neil]

Hi.  Consulted mechanics at 3 Lexus dealers, and no one had ever heard of this problem.  It occurred on and off for 3 weeks and then disappeared.  

2007 RX350, running fine.  Then, while driving, I shifted from D to P, and the engine just stopped. I was able to immediately restart with no problems, drove and shifted many times, then shifted from R to D after backing up, and the engine just stopped again.  Once again, I was able to immediately restart with no problem.   When the engine cut off, the check engine and VAT lights came on.

This occurred for 3 weeks--sometimes 1x/day; sometimes 5x/day; sometimes R to P; D to R, D to P, etc. .  There was never a clear pattern in terms of frequency, time of day, weather or  the gear I started in or shifted to.    

Then,  after 3 weeks of this irregular problem, it entirely disappeared: I've now been driving for a month and shifting gears with nothing unusual happening.   But, there is obviously a problem that should be attended to, but what is the problems?  Any thoughts about this would  be much appreciated.

Neil 

[RX400h]

I believe a Lexus mechanic can plug a test instrument into the OBD port and then try to duplicate the problem. Have you left your RX there for the mechanic to try to do this?

 

[2007neil]

Thanks for your response, Dave!   Since I live 80 miles from the nearest Lexus dealer, I have not done that.   I've just been contacting, via phone, mechanics at Lexus dealers who are used by friends in those cities.  Might give that a try.

Neil