1993 Lexus ES 300 Two things

USFCIRE

MEMBER
1993 LEXUS ES 300
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

A while back I changed out the battery, but the guy at the store gave me the wrong one with the terminals reversed. I blew some fuses, but once replaced everything seemed fine. Then about a month ago, the car started to have an idle issue where it would shut down if the gas pedal wasn't pressed to keep it running, I replaced the fuel filter and I cleaned the IACV but it still has the issue. Then shortly after the transmission wouldn't shift into 2nd from first unless the engine had warmed up some. I found that kind of odd, especially since I had no problems over the winter when it was much colder. Then, about a week and a half ago I noticed that the car would start out in the first gear! I am able to get the car into first gear if I manually drop it to "L" on the shifter, but anytime the car is in "D" I have this problem. If I do not move the shifter to "L" the O/D off light begins to blink on the dash. The first day I had the issue with the first gear needing to be manually shifter to, I replaced the transmission filter in case that had to do with it.

So my question is three fold:
1. Could these engine/transmission problems be caused by the battery screwing up the ECM?
2. What other problems should I look at before I consider replacing the transmission?
3. Am I doing anymore damage to the transmission by driving it this way where I manually shift to the "L" and then into "D"?

If it helps, there are no noises or issues other than this, the engine does not smell of exhaust or gas, and there are no leaks that I can find in oil, transmission, or coolant systems.

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi usfcire,

Thank you for the donation.

It is possible for the battery to cause the ECM to fail but before jumping to conclusion, we can perform some test to determine if it is the cause. The ECM and ECT ECU are 2 different components so it might be something else.

When the OD light flashes, an error has been detected by the ECT ECU and here are the diagnostic procedures.

ECT ECU Codes
1. Turn ignition on. DO NOT start engine. Depress OD switch on shift lever to ON position.

NOTE:
Codes can only be retrieved with OD switch on. If OD switch is off, OD OFF light will be on continuously and will not blink codes.

2. Install jumper wire between terminals TE1 and E1 of DLC1 or DLC2 connector. See Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

3. Note number of flashes from OD OFF light on instrument panel. If normal system operation exists, OD OFF light will flash once every .25 second. See Fig. 7.

4.If system is operating correctly and no code exists, turn ignition off and remove jumper wire. Perform MANUAL SHIFTING TEST under TRANSMISSION SHIFT TESTING to determine if problem is a electrical or mechanical transmission problem. Check system by
the symptom. See appropriate symptom under SYMPTOM TROUBLE SHOOTING.

5. If code exists, OD OFF light will blink once every .5 second. Number of flashes equals first digit of code. After a pause of 1.5 seconds, second digit will be displayed. See Fig. 11.

6. If more than one code exists, next code will be displayed after pause of 2.5 seconds. See Fig. 11. Smallest number code will display first and system will progress to largest code. Codes will be repeated.

7. Once code is obtained, determine probable cause and symptom. See CODE IDENTIFICATION table. For diagnosis and repair of codes, see DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. Turn ignition off and remove jumper wire.

NOTE:
Once repairs have been performed, codes must be cleared from ECT ECU memory.