bwh414

I had hard shifting and loss of overdrive gear on my 99RX with 175,000 miles on it and everyone was telling me it's time to rebuild the transmission for $5,000. I took it to some small transmission shop and the old guy there replaced a "speed sensor" and it works fine, better than ever. I also had him flush the transmission and replace the fluid, but the sensor was the real fix. I'm sure it could use rebuilding after this many miles, but I was thrilled to get by for $200 and still use it as a spare vehicle in the winter and other times. Good luck, Brian

I own a 99 RX AWD with 175,000 miles on it. My transmission starting slipping badly recently, almost like it was slipping into neutral and then shifting into the next gear, very hard shifting. All mechanics around here (Louisville, KY) told me with this mileage it needed to be rebuilt for about $5,000. I drove it to another small town to look at a used car for my daughter and the only good thing the sleazy salesman did for me was to tell me to take it to a small transmission shop in a nearby town, where I left it for 2 weeks. This old guy was going to check into a rebuilt tranny for about $2500 plus labor, but also said he would check out some other possibilities. He replaced the speed sensor and it worked like new. I think there is more than one sensor. He later flushed out the old fluid and replaced it and it shifts as good as new. All for about $200. So ask your mechanic or transmission shop to check out the sensors first. The only problem with this is that you are at their mercy to be honest and not sell you some repair you don't need. By the way, the repair shop I used was Transmission Exchange in Monticello, KY, out in the boondocks, but it was worth it for what they saved me.

I own a 1999 RX AWD and always used Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil. I have used it in all of my vehicles for many years. I later learned that the synthetic oils do not form sludge, and I don't know whether my 99 with 175,000 miles on it has any sludge, but I've never had any problem with it. So I would recommned using the syntheic oil if you keep the truck. Brian

I'm having the same problem with my 99 RX after a bad trailer connection blew the tail lights and replacing the bulbs and fuse didn't help. Where is the ECU control unit located, assuming that is what is blown? Thanks, Brian