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Lexus RX 330 Maintenance and Repair

1861 messages,  Last post on Apr 27, 2013 at 1:00 PM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 330

    
 
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Messages Page 180 of 187

#1784 of 1861 2004 Lexus RX 330 by mcmillian712

Sep 30, 2010 (9:49 am)

I live in VA so the shop in CA won't be much help to me, but thanks anyway.
The car is an hour and a half away right now at my cousin's repair shop. They didn't really think it was going to be a big deal until they hooked it up to the computer and found out that the shift solenoid is inside of the transmission (I'm not totally sure that it is, but hey what do I know), so they wouldn't even touch it and said the transmission would have to be dropped to replace it. They did, however, replace the battery so that will probably reset some stuff. I will have to drive it home about 75 miles so most likely the lights will come back on. I'm taking it to a shop on Monday and based on what I've given them (VIN, code problems) they are fairly confident they can fix it. Of course, I'm prepared for them to run the diagnostics and then go "Ummm, nevermind." If they cannot fix it, then I will take it to the local Toyota dealer (the car dealer I bought this from 3 months ago wants me to do that before they'll even remotely consider helping me out) and hopefully they can do something with it. I hope it doesn't come to that because their hourly rate is waaaay higher. The shop I'm taking it to Monday says if it is indeed the solenoid then it's a 4 hour job and the transmission will not have to be dropped. Evidently, the car dealer called the local Toyota dealer service center and the mechanic there said something similar. However, neither of them have seen the car yet, they're just going off of specs. So, we'll see. Hopefully I'm not out a couple thousand bucks in the next few weeks.
Thanks for the responses, I'll post the result.

#1785 of 1861 Re: Rx 330 with 93,000 miles [jbumstead] by mcmillian712

Sep 30, 2010 (9:59 am)

Replying to: jbumstead (Jul 18, 2010 10:42 pm)
I just bought a 2004 RX 330 (had 97K on it) and my reasons for it are very similar to yours. I've had it a little over 3 months and it's sitting in a shop right now with a shift solenoid problem. It basically won't shift into overdrive, but otherwise drives/shifts perfectly. I've been told a few things--1) the shift solenoids are inside the transmission and therefore the transmission will need to be dropped for the repair and I'm looking at about $2,000 and 2) the shift solenoids are not so far in that the transmission will need to be dropped and it should be about a 4 hour job. The first possibility is from the shop where the car is now and they're essentially like a jiffy lube and the second possibility is from an actual automotive shop nearby that has not actually seen the car yet, they're just going off the VIN, the P0766 code and the specs that they ordered. So I'm not really sure what's up, all I know is that I don't have my car right now and probably won't have it for at least another week and am looking at potentially a $2,000 (maybe more) repair. I love the way the car looks but I'm pretty heartbroken over this. This is my second Lexus and I'm disappointed in the brand. My suggestion is to do tons of research (which I did) and make absolutely sure that you are prepared to spend a couple thousand dollars in case something goes wrong. I plan on keeping mine once it's fixed, but wow, I hope this is the only major issue we have with it.

#1786 of 1861 2004 Lexus RX 330 Shift Solenoid Problem - UPDATE by mcmillian712

Oct 14, 2010 (5:53 am)

I finally got the car back yesterday...after putting a new transmission in it. I took it to a transmission shop nearby and they said the fluid was black and suggested a rebuild ($3500). The dealer I bought the car from was able to find a transmission with 29K miles for $1100 and then agreed to split the bill with me 50/50. I ended up paying $1000 and may be getting a little money back, but that's not a guaranteed. I was somewhat shocked the solution to my problem of not going into overdrive was to replace the transmission. I'm guessing the person who had it before me did not take care of it, which is always a possibility when you buy a used car. I'm happy to have it back, but man I hope this is the only major issue we have with it.

#1787 of 1861 Re: 2004 Lexus RX 330 Shift Solenoid Problem - UPDATE [mcmillian712] by la4mead

Oct 14, 2010 (9:59 am)

Replying to: mcmillian712 (Oct 14, 2010 5:53 am)
Suggestion: Check the transmission fluid condition very regularly, and have it serviced with the correct fluid by a trusted transmission shop (not a quick lube place). Avoid the dealer's transmission "flush". Don't expect that dealer service includes any transmission service.
 
The black fluid is the result of an internal problem that spread to all other components of the system. It's likely been brewing for a while.
 
Just my $.02, but free to you.

#1788 of 1861 Re: Poor Service [quattroporte12] by maximafan

Oct 20, 2010 (8:28 am)

Replying to: quattroporte12 (Jan 19, 2008 9:55 pm)
Quattroporte12, sorry that I'm two years late replying to your message. I somehow missed it. When I rented a Murano, it was at Enterprise Leasing. The location that I went to in Tampa, Florida just happened to be across the street from a Nissan dealership. So it appeared pretty easy to get one at that time. There was also a Mercedes Benz dealership nearby, and one time I rented a Mercedes Benz C300 Sport sedan.

#1789 of 1861 Re: Headlight condensation problems [tdtibbetts] by gking1

Oct 25, 2010 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: tdtibbetts (Apr 01, 2009 9:03 am)
Hi There, Did you find a source for the molding? Mine blew off as well and I haven't been able to find a replacement part. Thanks!

#1790 of 1861 2008 RX 350 Warning Light by buckalov

Oct 26, 2010 (8:44 am)

Hi folks
  New to this forum. My wifecalled me and has a warning light she only described as a "circle that is open at the top" with an exclamation point next to it? Without the manual for me to find out what this is, can anyone fill me in? I'd appreciate it, as she works 65 miles away from me and I can't get to her car. Thanks
Buck

#1791 of 1861 Warning light by mmm1

Oct 26, 2010 (9:12 am)

Try this link. https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/info/my-lexus/resources/download-o- wners-manual.do?docURI=http://tis.tmsnet.toyota.com/t3Portal/resources/jsp/sivie- wer/index.jsp?dir=om/OM48579U&href=xhtml/OM48579U_0011.html&locale=en

#1792 of 1861 Re: Warning light [mmm1] by buckalov

Oct 26, 2010 (9:20 am)

Replying to: mmm1 (Oct 26, 2010 9:12 am)
Hi and thanks for your help, but the link didn't work. Could you please post it again?
Thanks

#1793 of 1861 Re: Warning light [buckalov] by steve_ HOST

Oct 26, 2010 (10:06 am)

Replying to: buckalov (Oct 26, 2010 9:20 am)
I can't figure out the link either, but the symbol sounds like the tire pressure monitoring system indicator. Low tire pressure?
 

Messages Page 180 of 187

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