# 2005 Lexus RX 330 - Balks

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** lexus\
**Created:** [November 30, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818 "2019-11-30T21:05:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JohnMadison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@JohnMadison](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JohnMadison)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818/1 "2019-11-30T21:05:19Z")

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Transmission balks when I step on gas from a stop. Finally catches a split second later. Dangerous at intersections.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818/2 "2019-11-30T22:13:01Z")

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Then take it in for transmission service ASAP.

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818/3 "2019-12-01T21:19:30Z")

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Are you sure it’s the transmission and not the engine hesitating?

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**Author:** ![JohnMadison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@JohnMadison](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JohnMadison)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818/4 "2019-12-01T21:38:02Z")

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Nope. Engine revs and then transmission catches with a jerk.

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818/5 "2019-12-01T21:46:21Z")

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Okay, first check your transmission fluid. Is it low? Dark in color? Smell burnt? If it’s low but okay otherwise, check your owner’s manual or call a Lexus/Toyota dealer to find out what type of transmission fluid it needs and add some until it’s full when warm. If that solves the problem you’ve dodged a bullet. Then have your transmission serviced. Otherwise you need transmission work.

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**Author:** ![JohnMadison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@JohnMadison](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JohnMadison)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818/6 "2019-12-30T17:19:07Z")

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Thanks, Dave. I’ll give it a shot. John

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**Author:** ![Jessica-48](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@Jessica-48](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jessica-48)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-lexus-rx-330-balks/153818/7 "2020-05-22T04:56:01Z")

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What happened with the car?