robz

Thank you very much for the detailed instructions, decriptions (VERY tight Phillips #3 screws on throttle body, etc.), AND very clear pictures. I would have thrown in the towel if I was doing this without your expert help. I have been dealing with the intermittant no-idle for at least a year. Looking forward to not braking with my left foot while keeping the accelerator pressed to keep the car running. Rob Z 2000 RX300, 162,000 miles

I, too, have had sudden transmisson failure on my 2000 RX300 AWD wih only 71,813 original owner miles. When I took it to my service dealer in Santa Rosa for a left wheelwell noise and slow/slipping shifts, they diagnosed the noise problem as a starter gear staying on the flywheel ring. After replacing the starter the noise was still present and then they diagnosed a FAILING Transmission. The starter repair estimate was about $600, the transmission was 10 times that! Before I could even catch my breath, the service rep said they had already contacted Lexus and because I had a regular servce history, and the vehicle was only 1800 miles beyond the 70,000 mile powertrain warranty, for goodwill they would replace the transmisson with a rebuilt unit (warranty: 12,000 miles/1 year). They would cover the cost of the tranny, I would be respnsible for the labor. So for about $1260 in labor (4 wheel alignment & oil/filter change, too) I had my vehicle rehabilitated. I also had a brand new RX350 as a loaner for four days. This all occurred over the last New Year's holiday. (I read much info here, but did not have time to register/write until now.) I consider myself lucky after reading most of the posts from the past couple of years. I did also post a complaint to the NHTS website since there does seem to be a trend in these early transmission failures and only by having the numbers can any analysis be prompted or performed. Thank you to all that have supplied their stories and suggestions on this forum.