lenore

the sensors are mounted on the hub of the wheel assembly. You will see a wire run going to it. The axle shaft has a toothed gear that the sensor reads for speed.. Could be one of them just has debris knocked loose after the tire rotation messing the sensor up...The sensors usually have a 10mm bolt holding them on. Be very careful to not damage the wiring going to the sensor... here is how to do it....read post #9 for a picture I know it is a RX300 but probably is similiar.... http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx300-foru...der-sensor.html

I was two states away, when my tranny went, like you said not a good time....I tried to have it flushed but it was taost... drove it home in 3rd gear, long drive, very nerve racking, so have been there done that. Lexus soaked me for $4300 and then it had to be done again, the replacement was defective along with the idiots in the Roseville,Lexus dealership. Second tranny was and has been fine. I would have taken it to an independent if I had known Lexus wasnt going to give me any assistance. Good luck

Unfortunately there are a lot of newer vehicles that have this weakness. Seems I have seen failures in all brands of cars when the mileage approaches 150k....I hope you took it to an independent shop, yu will save at least $1000 over the chain and dealerships....try to get references from folks you know of a good Tranny shop, not AMMoco etc.....

Too bad, i will admit I lost my transmission, but otherwise it has been a great car. As for repairs, get a hold of yourself, it is expensive everywhere, every brand. You might try a toyota dealership or a toyotas only independent. You will find it cheaper and they have a lot more experience with older used lexus and toyotas so they see the problems faster and usually can fix them cheaper. Otherwise drive the car of your choice, but beware they are mechanical and will have problems. I own two fords and a Lexus, and my friend has all GMC (car and truck) and I will tell you his had more problems than mine, and the parts arent cheap there. If you do your research you can find parts for your Lexus a lot cheaper at places like Rockauto.com or Lexus of Plano TEXAS, etc....Good luck and welcome to a forum that can save you money as well as time. Lots of experienced people here....

Good thing it is a franchise, other wise your local dealership would be paying for it in increased prices.....

Sounds like you have a bad 0xygen sensor ....Have you replaced it...by the way dont be confused with the ones up by the engine, they are air fuel sensors.... If you look under the car from the drivers seat area, you will see it. It has wires coming off it.

I believe others have done the same thing to remove the crank bolt, seems to work well....I would be nervous too about turning the engine to remove it.

Great info, I agree totally, I always make my buys at the end of the month, it really pays off and will save you a bundle.

I agree, 2002or 2003 RX300 would probably be better. Engine sludge could still be a problem. It was never fixed in this engine....Just good maintenance and Full synthetic fluid would be the fix....

If it is the starter it is probably the contacts, Two bolts and unhook the leads and the starter is out. here is info on the contacts of the starter: http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/instructions.html By the way batteries can be bad, I used some Kragens (checkered flag) batteries here and those things were major pain. Failed every 8 months. Best batteries I have used are Costco, Walmart, and Sears diehards/

My neighbor just had this issue, Ordered a imze engine for highlander, got one, but no holes for the crankshaft end engine mount....Make sure to get what will fit. He would have had to drill the engine block, which might have voided the warranty...

Sorry, I tried with the RX300 picture, which is on the Right rear side of the engine (Right side of car next to windshield or firewall) I know some may have them from a hose to the Air plenum... The 1meze engine on the RX the pcv is mounted right through the valve cover. Here it is on the CAMRY, should be the same on yours....

I dont know how similiar your engine is to my RX300, but I was experiencing leaking on the intake manifold between the two cylinder heads. look carefully in that area for dried residue, possibly under the thermostat housing.... good luck...

BillyShaft and RXNC I too am a dissappointed RX300 owner, in that my tranny failed, However other than that it has been a great vehicle. I thoroughly enjoy both of you for your input to this forum and look forward to your future posts. I believe input both positive and negative is great, It gives decision making information available from owners, not some perceived reliability reports. RX and I share our beliefs on the transmission, and I know he is a great guy, does a lot of research, and makes his decisions based on that. I appreciate that, and look for his posts to see whats up. BillyShaft I have seen your posts more recently and welcome your responses. We as a group are creating this data base for future and past owners to fix their cars with hopefully less pain and money. Hope you all have a great day, keep posting, and learn thru knowledge... by the way you both live in some really pretty states, I love NorthCarolina for its southern hospitality, and gorgous beaches, and Utah for its beautiful Salt Lake basin. I will also note the folks in Utah are very conservative and very America first. I appreciate that very much. My first grand daughter was born in Jacksonville NC and I will never forget the wonderful folks in that experience. Utah has been a favorite of mine during the stadium of fire concerts for the last 5 years.

I agree, my train of thought was not good last night, Walmart should buy this one....

lmnop- I don't know what to say- Lenore said he put it through that and used a paper clip somehow to secure it. Is there enough meat to drill above or below that open slot? I can't believe the # of different configurations. If you'll notice, the pictures on the 1st. page of this thread have it through what looks like the same slot, but with it enclosed. ???? My DIL's RX has these beautiful arms with the nice round holes at the end that were unused. Now I feel bad that I thought maybe some of you were missing the arms with the holes because they are on the opposite side of the lock from where the little wires from the door controls are. Dirty pool I'd say. I had to blaze my own trail when I did them but I had the advantage of ideal arms w/holes to work with. I'm sure you could use the slot- just drill 2- 1/16in. holes above and below the slot and to the side a little and use a heavy paper clip like Lenore, to close that opening so that the rod can't come out. Good Luck! I was able to drill a very small hole....The paper clip was the only material that would be firm and fit...sorry no pictures.

Well after reading, I do believe Walmart failed to put oil in the crankcase or didnt fill properlly, The bad, was that you covered your light and didnt stop driving it. I am afraid from my perspective, you both were at fault....Bad mistake, and quite costly....Oil pump is not bad, but the damage that was caused from no lubrication or very little can be a disaster. My neighbor found you can get a rebuilt long block (the whole engine minus all accessories for $3800, but the labor to install is what will kill you.... Sorry to be the messenger of bad news...

You would be looking at a timing belt ,if it has not been done....

I just wanted to tell you that I just removed the intake system for other problem, and If I were to do the plugs again I would remove the throttle body from the intake to change the plugs, It would make it so much easier, and only requires three bolts to do it. Probably 15minutes of extra work, but will save you hours of frustration....plus then you will actually be able to see what you are doing. there is a 12mm or 10mm bolt on the back side of it that attaches to a support rod next to the firewall, but trust me it will give you much better access.

The two mounted on the engine front and rear are air fuel sensors, the one before the muffler is an oxygen sensor. They are not the same on these engines yet they can be screwed into the different positions. Stick with The denso ones at the correct locations...

Just wondering if you found a solution.

probably not, but I would definetly give the tranny some fluid changes, it is cheap insurance....

It is located on the right side of the car, on the back cylinder head under the intake manifold. It is very close to the firewall, facing up from the valve cover. It has a right angle hose leading to it. It is precisly under the air plenum where there are a some wires and a vacuum line.

The oil control valve is listed under engine, camshaft timing, and then control valve..... see here: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...playCatalogid=0

Here is a nice posting from other site: By the way I did change them and yes you need to have proper extensions. http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx300-foru...e-patience.html