Transmission will not shift into third gear

Tiny
LEX01
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 LEXUS ES 300
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
I got my transmission rebuilt two years ago. First year had no problems. Then when I first start the car in the morning and immediately turn on the AC without warming up the engine/transmission problem starts (not often, three or four times in a year). I start driving, car shifts into first and second with ease, then gets stuck on third (around thirty five mph). I am still able to accelerate past thirty five mph, but the tachometer just keeps increasing without shifting into fourth. Then I turn off the AC, turn off car, wait a few minutes, turn car back on without AC and everything goes back to normal. What is the problem? I am lost, what does the transmission have to do with the AC?
This only happens when I first start driving, when engine/transmission are cold and I do not wait to warm up engine and start driving immediately (with AC on:). I live in TX, FYI.
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 11:24 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
This sounds like you have a engine coolant temperature sensor that is not working right. Here is a guided to help you see what you are in for when changing the sensor with diagrams below to show you how it will be on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

This car has two sensors I would do them both.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 AT 1:00 PM

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