Transmission not shifting properly?

BECKY PARKER

MEMBER
1999 LEXUS RX 300
3.0L
6 CYL
AUTOMATIC
156,000 MILES

Have to put pedal almost to floor to get into reverse and then it's quite a jerk. Doesn't want to shift right, was able to get up to 40 MPH to bring it home. Have had to let it warm up for the last year before driving as it didn't shift into higher gear until 6 or 7 minutes of driving. New fluid and everything a year ago. My mechanic said transmission is bad. Listed for sale on marketplace and have had a few people say it could be in limp mode for a different reason and to check with you guys. I'm not interested in throwing a bunch of money at it, it was my winter car and I've bought a different one but a guy responding on marketplace advised checking with you before selling it for parts. I don't feel that it would jerk like that into reverse if it was just in limp mode, but figured I would ask. Thanks!

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,380 POSTS

Hi Becky,

The first thing we should do is scan for codes, here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

I would also check the fluid level because it sounds like it is low. Here is a guide to help with instructions for your car in the images below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

Automatic Transmission Fluid Type

Type .................... ATF Type T-IV or equivalent
Capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity L (US qt)

Capacity (Drain and Refill) U140E .................... 3.5 (3.7)

Capacity (Drain and Refill) U140F .................... 4.1 (4.3)

I have seen a dirty throttle body cause the car to go into limp mode, please go over this guide to see what I am talking about:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

Image (Click to make bigger)