fromundr

I'm up to 167,000 miles on it, The car drove fine until it just decided to quite. I guess the sound should have been a greater warning sign.

Seems these cars have fewer transmission problems than most. Or at least by the forum posts.  If the converter broke a sprag or pump drive or even if the front pump went out....you still have to do the tranny rebuild as all the junk goes through the tranny.

How many miles on the car?

←

I have not had a chance to look at the fluid, I just got it home and had to go to work. Since the car seems to move after a cool down period, I hope the tranny is still good. Thanks for the input though!

If anybody can recommend a place to take it to in Los Angeles, I would really appreciate it!

I think it might be torque converter but not sure. If anybody has any ideas as to possible cause please let me know Thanks!!!

yeah the torque converter would be what i would have looked at first.

sounds pretty severe you could have burned the tranny up though, although tranny problems are not very common with the LS.

what does the tranny fluid look/smell like?

←

For the past month my ls400 was making a "whinning" sound at start up when cold, usually went away when warm. Later it would stay on even after warming up. Sounded like it came from tranny. Last saturday, while getting out of freeway, transmission began to slip from stand still. it would gain speed but would struggle. Finally after a couple more stop and goes, car would not accelerate, rpm would climb but would not move.. I could smell something burning sort of like when you burn the clutch on a manual transmission car. Basically it feels like when the clutch goes out on manual transmission car. After I let it sit waiting for tow truck, it gabbed a little at start up but then began to slip until no movement. I changed shift solenoid valve about six months ago. I think it might be torque converter but not sure. If anybody has any ideas as to possible cause please let me know Thanks!!!

I have a 96 ls400 with about 140000 on it and it is currently doing the same thing when cold and stops once it is warm. I noticed that if the tap on the gas pedal before shifting, it won't do it. Give it a try.

As for the cause of the problem I have read that there is a Techniacl Service Bulletin for this model, here is what it says:

TSIB

Introduction Early Production 1996 Model Year LS 400 vehicles may experience an engine idle speed

reduction just before stopping the vehicle after a continuous long drive. To correct this

condition, the ECM logic has been changed.

Early production 1996LS 400 with VINs before JT8BH22F3T00414045

Parts : Previous part- 89661-50302 New Part- 89661-50303 Part Name ECM

Warranty info

OPCODE DESCRIPTION TIME OPN T1 T2

895011 LS 400 Driveability Improvement 0.8 89661-50302 08 71

Warranty Coverage 4years or 50,000 Miles

This is what the Bulletin says

I found this in another thread so I give credit to Big50Daddy.

Anyway some people claim that once the ecm was switched out, both the idle problem and the lurching were fixed!!

I will try and change the ecm out this summer see how it works. Do a seach and you will find more info on this.

Hope this helps!!

Thanks for the great response! I have had the wheels for approximatly 1 month. I used to work for american racing and was given a set as a going away present. I really was not looking into putting 20's on my Lexus fearing that the ride would really suffer. I figured I would take the set put them on for a couple of weeks (let my boss see them on my car) then sell them. The wheels are a +50 offset and the bolt pattern is the same as a ford Explorer. I figured they would be easy to sell. Well got them on and to my surprise I had to make NO modifications. Clearance is perfect with the closets area being the Bolt on the upper control arm, I have about 3/4" Clearence. The biggest surprise is that my ride did not deterioate as much as I expected. I guess the lexus suspension is good enough to compensate for the change in wheels. I have really warmed up to these wheels and am contemplating keeping them! Before I put these on, I would never have guessed that they would fit so perfectly!!

One Last Picture!

Another Picture!

Here are some pictures of my 1996 LS400 with 20" Wheels

The Wheels are 20 X 8.5 Epic Wheels by American Racing, the tires are Hankook Ventus 255/35/R20

Thanks!! From the detection condtion supplied, it sounds like my lock-up remains on and when i slow down in traffic it does not down shift and vibrates as if in the wrong gear until i pick up speed. Where would I find the valve so I can perform the test? Is it near throttle body or located on transmission? Once again all input really apprerciated and thanks in advance!!

My check engine ligth came on in my 96 LS400, at the same time the Power ECT light started blinking on and off. Read the code and got a P0770 whci the scanner said was a "Shift Solenoid Malfunction" What is this and can I change it myself. Looking for the code online I found a description of "Lock-Up Solenoid Fault." The cars runs fine but ever once in a while when I slow down and then try to speed up, it begins to shudder and vibrate as if it had not downshifted and it has a hard time accerating. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!