Lexus Repair: Lexus ES 300 Transmission won;t shift, montville new jersey, lexus es 300

Question
Lexus looked at my car and told me that the speed sensor for the transmission was identified (the cheaper one to replace).  When they drove the car, the car did not have the problem.  They tested the car for wire shorts etc., but there were not shorts.  Their advise was to drive it and see if it happens again and not to replace the sensor.

What would you recommend?

I also told them about the transmission issue where the car does not coast after you take your foot off of the gas and they told me the car was performing as it was designed to and that that particular issues was part of the transmission design.  Any thoughts?

Last few items, Lexus told me that the car needs the lower control arms/bushings and was do for a timing belt change.  I bought the car new and it is a 1998 with 79,000 miles.  When I originall bought the car this past January, I called Lexus and they told me to replace the timing belt at 90,000 miles.  Which is it?

I can do most of the work my self with a buddy of mine who is very experienced with cars.  Where is the best place to get parts for the Lexus ES 300?  If I change the timing belt, what other parts should I replace (water pump, other seals, etc.)?  In my Nissan and Honda, I always replaced the water pump but Lexus told me they normally don't change the water pump unless it seemed in poor coniditon.  I also want to change the brakes in the near future so I will probably change the rotors rather then cut them and what other parts do you recommend replacing when I do the brake job?

Is there a good repair book for the 1998 Lexus ES 300 that I should purchase?

Thanks again for your reponses and great help!

Peter Rippa
Montville, New Jersey




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Followup To
Question -
My 1998 lexus ES 300 with 80K miles had the check engine light come on while driving the other day.  With that warning light, the speedometer failed (the needle went to zero miles per hour & then came back on but indicated the wrong speed).  The next day the check engine light was off0 and the car ran fine for a few hours that day.  During a long drive later the same day, the cruise control worked and then started to act up by speeding up and slowing down within a few miles an hour in a jerking movement.  Then the transmission started to act up and would not shift out of first gear.  Now I need to obviously get the car to a mechanic and since I bought the car used, I guess my only option is to take the car to my nearest Lexus dealer.  Any thoughts on what is causing the issue, a sensor or something?

Thanks

Peter Rippa
Montville, New Jersey
bigkidz@optonline.net




Answer -
Hello, It sounds like a speed sensor but yes I would take it to Lexus or Toyota for it. You may save a few dollars at Toyota.

Answer
Hello, I would say let it go and see what happens on the trans sensor. The timing belt is good for 90k miles and at that point I would put in the waterpump also. The seals should be fine and you can get the parts from Toyota also which should save you a few bucks. The lower control arm bushings are only sold with the lower control arms from lexus but I do have aftermarket replacements that you can press in for $100pr.