I’ve owned my 1999 ES300 for a few years and driven it 40K, up to 108K. It always had a hesitation under part throttle shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. After all this time I finally found the tech service bulletin that speaks directly to my issue. It states that:
“Some 1999 RX 300s & 1999 ES 300s may exhibit an intermittent shudder during the 2-3 shift under the following conditions:
* Engine and Transaxle at operating temperature. * Light throttle acceleration (30% throttle opening or less).”
The fix is to replace the transmission valve body but the warranty period is six years or 70K, and I’m outside both of those.
Questions: 1. Is this “intermittent shudder” actually causing excessive clutch plate wear that will lead to premature failure. 2. How involved a job is it to replace the valve body with a new one? I removed and modified a valve body in my ford 4R70W transmission ten years ago. Not sure I’d want to spend the time doing it again now. I imagine the local Lexus dealer is not going to want to do the work for free. 3. Anyone have luck negotiating a reduced rate for out of warranty TSB work? 4. Would a local shop be able to perform the work for reduced cost if I brought them the valve body from Lexus?
TSB info:
TC002-99 SHUDDER DURING 2-3 SHIFT
1999 Lexus RX 300
ARTICLE BEGINNING
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SHUDDER DURING 2-3 SHIFT
Model(s): 1999 Lexus RX 300 & ES 300 Section: Transmission & Clutch Bulletin No.: TC002-99 Date: August 6, 1999
INTRODUCTION
Some 1999 RX 300s & 1999 ES 300s may exhibit an intermittent shudder during the 2-3 shift under the following conditions:
* Engine and Transaxle at operating temperature. * Light throttle acceleration (30% throttle opening or less).
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION
The Transaxle Valve Body was improved in production to correct this condition.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Part Name 3 3
Body Assembly, Transmission Valve 3 Body Assembly, Transmission Valve 3
Friday, November 12, 2004 08:22PM Page 1
TC002-99 SHUDDER DURING 2-3 SHIFT
1999 Lexus RX 300
APPLICABLE WARRANTY:
REPAIR PROCEDURE
This repair is covered under the Lexus Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 72 months or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer’s specific complaint.
Replace Transaxle Valve Body. Follow Transaxle Valve Body Replacement Procedures as outlined in the U140E Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM633U) or U140F Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM632U).
NOTE: NOTE: NOTE:
All valve bodies in parts stock were produced after the Production Change.
Shown in Fig. 1 are corrections to the U140E and U140F Repair Valve Body Installation Procedures.
After replacing the Valve Body, perform the “Reset Memory” Function as outlined in TSIB TC005-98 dated December 25, 1998.
Fig. 1: Revised U140E/U140F Valve Body Installation Procedure