You are here: Forums SUVs Lexus RX 300/330/350 Lexus RX 330 Maintenance and Repair

Lexus RX 330 Maintenance and Repair

1742 messages,  Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 11:48 AM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 330

Messages Page 6 of 175 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 175 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#51 of 1742 AWD Transmission Problems by mtx Jan 03, 2004 (10:24 pm)
The transmission in my Japan-built 04 AWD is reluctant to down-shift when slowing and up-shift when accelerating between first and 3rd gears. When I lightly touch the gas paddle and let go for brakes, I can feel and hear the gears banging, not to mention the "normal" clunking noice from the rear axle. At my 1000-mile service on 12/18/03, the dealer acknowledged the Tech Service Bulletin for the ECM, but said the software wouldn't be available for two weeks. I do mostly city driving and this vehicle is quickly becoming the most annoying vehicle I've ever driven.   I'm very busy and don't have the time to call Lexus directly. Does anyone have the official email address for either Lexus Zone Office (Washington D.C. area) or its Headquarters? Thanks.
#52 of 1742 Sound System by rx330owner Jan 04, 2004 (1:24 pm)
Has any one tried to upgrade their sound system? I was told it wound make a big difference if I had a subwoofer installed.
#53 of 1742 mtx by lovemylexus1 Jan 04, 2004 (1:44 pm)
I would call your dealer back and ask them again about the ECM TSB. It was issued months ago...and I had it performed on my RX in September. Sounds to me as if your dealer just didn't want to work in the week before X-mas.
#54 of 1742 ESM TSB by rx330owner Jan 04, 2004 (1:48 pm)
What is the ESM TSB ?
#55 of 1742 TSB info by lovemylexus1 Jan 04, 2004 (6:54 pm)
TSB #TC00503 deals specifically with the power train and is the one often cited on this and other Edmunds Lexus RX330 boards.   This is the one I had performed on my RX in September and my RX now shifts perfectly.   For more info on this and all of the TSB's currently out for the 2004 RX330 (there are eight, I think)...go to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
#56 of 1742 Down-shift when slowing.... by wwest Jan 04, 2004 (8:07 pm)
This is just my opinion.   I noticed shortly after I purchase my 01 AWD RX300 that engine braking was oftentimes practically non-existent. It appears that if you get off the gas in order to coast down to a stop the transmission actually up-shifts. The feeling is as if it shifts into neutral.   Some have complained of the "slingshot effect" or as if being bumped from behind just before coming to a full stop.   My own suspicion is that this is the method Lexus has chosen to simulate the over-running clutch GM is now using in their upscale FWD cars to avoid loss of control due to engine braking on the front on a slippery surface.   Others have complained of a downshift "delay" when entering a turn during acceleration. Explainable yet again regarding FWD dynamics. It can often be bad news in a FWD vehicle to be asking the front tires to stand up to lots of lateral force and suddenly also have lots of engine torque applied.   Or it could be that all of the above is really the result of a few thousand lines of "C" code in the VSC ecu.   Vehicle STABILITY Control.   Get it?
#57 of 1742 TSB #TC00503 Warning by gardencar Jan 05, 2004 (9:00 pm)
Well, managed to put 1,086 miles on my RX in a little over two weeks and only had three instances of tranny hesitation. However, two of those times led to some hairy situations during lane changes. The cars behind me got a little too close for comfort when I mashed the accelarator and there was no response.   I took the car in for its 1,000 mile service today and was surprised to get a disclaimer about the ECM update. The service advisor warned me cryptically that once the update was done, there was nothing they could do about it if I subsequently did not like the way the car drove. He continued by telling me that it might be thirty days before the car then relearned my driving style.   He was so adamant in his warnings that I had to pause and think about it. I asked him if anyone who had had the update in either the RX or ES had ever complained about the change. He said that no one had. I also remembered the helpful post #37 by kcr2, and gave him the go ahead.   Will report on any differences following the ECM update after I pick up the car tomorrow. Sure am looking forward to having those Lexus guys wash my car for me!
#58 of 1742 Does anyone... by wwest Jan 05, 2004 (9:11 pm)
know of a non-volatile memory design that can only be over-written once?? If there isn't one then this issue of only being able to update once is a red herring.
#59 of 1742 re: TSB #TC00503 by rx4me Jan 06, 2004 (3:24 pm)
Took my vehicle in for 1000 mile service this past weekend and mentioned the occasional transmission jerkiness I've had. The service advisor recommended that I not get it (TSB #TC00503) done. He said that currently, my shifts take longer, whereas once the TSB is applied, it'll make it shorter and even more jerky and the computer will have to relearn my driving pattern. He also went on to say that once the TSB is applied, it cannot be reversed. He even showed me some complaints from customers who had the TSB done and weren't happy with it. I decided not to get it done, since the current transmission jerkiness isn't really that much of a problem right now (though as gardencar mentioned, I too experienced an occasion when I mashed the accelerator with no response). He said if I decide to change my mind, I can get it done anytime during the warranty period.   Btw, I've experienced intermittent problems with my power rear door not working with the remote (sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't). They took a look at that and reset the computer. So far so good with no probs. Replies to this message: fulflaps (May 24, 2006 6:19 pm)
#60 of 1742 wwest by clpurnell Jan 06, 2004 (3:25 pm)
It could be that Lexus/Toyota will not give them the old code to reprogram with. In many spaces in IT once a piece of software is desupported the vendor will not release the old copy of the code. So in essence if he does not have the old code in hand there is no going back. Like buying a pc with Win98 installing XP when you do not have the original disk. I doubt it has anything to do with the type of data storage as I am sure the can, will and have released multiple ECM updates for their vehicles.

Messages Page 6 of 175 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 175 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums SUVs Lexus RX 300/330/350 Lexus RX 330 Maintenance and Repair