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Lexus RX 300 funny new noise

20 messages,  Last post on Feb 18, 2009 at 9:39 AM

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

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 300, Lexus RX 330, Lexus RX 350, Steering

Messages Page 2 of 2

#11 of 20 Re: 2001 Lexus RX300 vibration [sostabarak] by la4mead

Dec 15, 2008 (10:54 am)

Replying to: sostabarak (Dec 15, 2008 7:37 am)
I doubt if you're offering enough information to figure this out over a forum. A vibration at idle could be caused by any number of reasons including transmission wear (vibration in gear?).
 
But my suggestion is check your transmission fluid for a clear red color and non-burned smell. Does the vibration occur only at an idle in gear? What happens when you shift into neutral? Is there a noise or other symptom?
 
And try a different dealer.

#12 of 20 Re: 2001 Lexus RX300 vibration [la4mead] by sostabarak

Dec 15, 2008 (5:15 pm)

Replying to: la4mead (Dec 15, 2008 10:54 am)
Thanks for the feedback on my admittedly weak attempt at explaining the symptoms in one sentence. The vibration is only when the car is in gear (Drive, and less in Park) and has gotten progressively worse over the last year. Shifting the car into neutral smooths it out completely, no vibration, no noise.
Fluid is ruby red and doesn't smell burned.
As far as another dealer, that might be very good advice.

#13 of 20 Re: 2001 Lexus RX300 vibration [sostabarak] by wwest

Dec 16, 2008 (11:53 am)

Replying to: sostabarak (Dec 15, 2008 7:37 am)
The '01 RX300 most DEFINITELY has a problem with localized overheating of the ATF. The factory recommended scheduled maintainance period in the owners manual for ATF drain/fill is that no maintainance is required for the life of the vehicle, certainly in excess of 100,000 miles.
 
Within a year or so of initial sales this was changed to every 15,000 miles. But that resulted in such an owner outcry that this was revised to say the ATF condition should be inspected along with every oil change. But any dealer worth his salt, and many owners, would have installed NEW/PRISTINE ATF in an '01-'03 RX300 before reselling it.
 
Your RX does not downshift into 1st until you come to a COMPLETE stop. Due to the history of these vehicles at 78,000 I would fully expect you need new 1st range clutches.
 
Absent the firmware fix applied to the '01 and later RX300's the '99-'00 transaxles were failing prenmaturely in this mileage range, 80,000-100,000 miles. The fix involved "holding" the ATF line pressure at a higher level. That in turn resulted in localized heating, OVER-heating, of the ATF for which no cooling provisions had been made, and could not be retrofitted.
 
Most, if not actually ALL, of the vehicle's shipped of this era came with the extra ATF cooling as a part of the towing package but that proved to be of little help since it wasn't the "average" temperature of the ATF that was the problem.
 
Lexus (and Toyota) went to DBW to help alleviate this problem but the result of that was to put the passengers at risk in certain situations.

#14 of 20 Re: 2001 Lexus RX300 vibration [wwest] by sostabarak

Dec 16, 2008 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Dec 16, 2008 11:53 am)
I take it this is something the service manager of a lexus dealership should know? Is a "1st range clutch" a major repair?
Thanks for the insight, I will certainly be armed with your comments next week.

#15 of 20 Re: 2001 Lexus RX300 vibration [wwest] by sostabarak

Dec 31, 2008 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Dec 16, 2008 11:53 am)
Problem solved. Fortunately it had nothing to do with the transmission. Idle air control valve is what the problem was. Lexus is offering to pay half as it is now out of warranty but was originally reported while still under warranty. Wish me luck on arguing for the other half. Thanks for all the input.

#16 of 20 Re: 2001 Lexus RX300 vibration [sostabarak] by wwest

Jan 03, 2009 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: sostabarak (Dec 31, 2008 3:23 pm)
As a general rule all that is needed for correcting an idle air control valve problem is cleaning the (smallish) air bypass port/channel. Clean the port/channel/orifice, unplug the battery so the engine ECU is forced to "relearn" the PWM setting for the valve's control solenoid, and be on your way.
 
The Lexus service shop should know this. You may be getting a "refurbished" control valve removed from some previous "service" and then cleaned in preparation for "cleaning" the next victims pockets.
 
If, sometime in the past, you have used, experimented with the use, of a K&N engine air filter, or the like, I wouldn't tell the Lexus folks.

#17 of 20 Whistling at 40 by robcanaz

Feb 17, 2009 (2:17 pm)

Whistling sound at 40 mph only in cold weather starts at 39mph stops at 41mph it isn’t a problem just a little annoying…anyone…

#18 of 20 Re: Whistling at 40 [robcanaz] by tidester

Feb 17, 2009 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: robcanaz (Feb 17, 2009 2:17 pm)
Can you tell where the sound is coming from? Engine? Doors? Roof? Ventilation? Other?
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#19 of 20 Re: Whistling at 40 [robcanaz] by neumie2000

Feb 18, 2009 (6:36 am)

Replying to: robcanaz (Feb 17, 2009 2:17 pm)
Your whistling noise is likely caused by the positioning of the luggage rails.....try repositioning them more toward the back of the vehicle or, to be sure of the cause, remove all together and test drive. I have a 1999 with the exact same whistle and it proved to the be rails.....good luck!

#20 of 20 Re: Whistling at 40 [neumie2000] by la4mead

Feb 18, 2009 (9:39 am)

Replying to: neumie2000 (Feb 18, 2009 6:36 am)
I took my luggage rails off from the beginning. I haven't had a reason to put them back on since. I wonder about trivial things like why anyone keeps them on when not in use in any vehicle. Someday I'll use them again, perhaps. But I'd remove them when done. It's easy. I also wonder how much the small amount of wasted fuel from leaving them up there would add up to after all this time.
 
Perhaps that's the wind noise you're experiencing, and it's worth looking at.

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