96 T&C has occasional shifting problems. This morning it wouldn't shift out of 2nd. I stopped, turned off the engine, turned it back on and it shifted normally...although I've noticed a few more "jerks". I've heard of simple electrical fixes. Any advice?

Hi,

First, congrats on the most detailed problem description I have ever seen! Seriously, it does assist us.

All this is completely consistent with your clutch not releasing properly, meaning that the gearbox is still turning when the pedal is depressed. The syncros in the gearbox will then keep you out of gear, that is what they should do. You can indeed shift into higher gears however when driving as the gearbox revs more nearly match to what is needed. The jerking forward when you hit the starter is due to the poor old starter motor having to move the whole car instead of just the engine, because the clutch has not released !

Now as to why, it is likely that the clutch release fork has broken, inside the housing. I had this once with a Mazda, and symptoms were exactly as you describe. The gearbox has to be removed if this is the problem, and you should also then take the chance to renew the clutch, pressure and driven plate both, unless quite new.

Also a possible cause is a complete loss of clutch fluid if a hydraulic clutch, or a broken cable if that type of clutch. Loss of fluid in a hydraulic clutch can be easily checked in the fluid reservoir, and can occur if a hose splits
..

change trans oil and new filter if problem still there it most lickely the shift modual

Soooo...some of you that have seen my posts and responses may be able to tell that I am a "Hot-Head"!! I graduated from Montclair State university this past semester and had my graduation at the IZOD center at the Meadowlands yesterday..long story short, I was in a really rough mood for whatever reason and when Im in one of those moods, I shouldn't be driving especially in north jersey. Anyway, I was ripping my car around in sports shift mode because i have a 2010 Forte Koup 2.4l Automatic 5-speed trans. I'm used to driving it and ripping it around in sports shift since i got the car a couple years ago. To explain this correctly, I drive the sports shift kind of like it has a clutch (but we all know it doesn't) meaning when I go from 1st to 2nd I remain on the gas but sometimes when i like to hear the shifting take place, i will let go of the gas and shift the sports shifter up into 3rd gear. this is definitely NOT needed in an automatic, I'm supposed to keep my foot on the gas while shifting into a higher gear. So after a while of screwing around and driving like a mad man trying to get to my graduation, i came to a red light and for some reason the tip-tronic would not let me downshift to 1st gear nor would the engine automatically downshift to 1st like it is supposed to and usually does. At this point I would only be able to take-off in 2nd or 3rd gear (very weird I know). So i pulled over, turned the car off and restarted it and it seemed to be fine, then I put it in tip-tronic again and it did the same thing: wouldn't let me shift down to first while coming to a stop and remained in 2nd gear. when i finally arrived to my graduation the Engine Malfunction (AKA check engine light) came on. i know this can be due to more than 100 reasons but has anyone ever experienced this before driving their automatic KOUP while driving in tip-tronic? I have an appointment at my dealer for Monday morning and can't wait to see whats wrong with it. Also when i was leaving my house this morning, i put the car in tip-tronic and took off it seemed to be fine, then when i came to a stop sign the same thing happened again where i couldn't downshift to 1st and when i took off in 2nd and shifted to 3rd the car threw itself forward whereas if someone was close to me in front i probably woulda hit them from behind (thank god I didn't). After that happened this morning, I pushed the shifter knob back into regular automatic drive and the engine seemed to lose almost all power meaning when I pushed the gas and even floored it, the car did not pick-up or go anywhere. What could be happening here?!?! Please someone HELP!!!

shift solenoid needs to be replaced or the speed sensor

P1776 is the only code you need to be concerned with it a problem with the solenoid back (not the transmission valve body) Also did you recieve the transmission reflash that the dealer are supposed to do? And this is why you are dealing with a delay engagement (by the way its not second gear its 3rd)
NUMBER: 21-004-05
GROUP: Transmission
DATE: January 22, 2005
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 21-007-04, DATED MAY 11, 2004, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDES, ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.
SUBJECT:
Transmission Delayed Engagement

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves replacing the front pump assembly in the transmission and checking the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for the latest software revision level.

The transmission solenoids are not working properly. Probably requires a transmission rebuild.
I don't think it's in the ground strap or wiring.
It's an internal problem with the transmission.

That sounds like the 1st thing to check is the transmission fluid.Start the car ,warm it up,now shift through all the gears and stop in (N).With the engine running,check the fluid level.Top up if needed.If you do,look for leaks.Hope this helps

The 1999-2003 Lexus RX300 models have a common failure of the engine computer that causes the harsh shifting of the transmission. You need to get the computer (ECM - Engine Control Module) rebuilt or replaced before it causes permanent damage to the transmission. Even if the transmission is already ruined, the ECM will still need to be repaired. Most often, the transmission is fine though, and rebuilding the ECM will restore the smooth shifts that the Lexus should have. Circuit Board Medics can rebuild the ECM and reprogram it so that you only have to plug it back in when you get it back. See the link below:

http://circuitboardmedics.com/1999-2003-lexus-rx300-hard-transmission-shifting-ecm-ecu-computer-repair/

SHIFT solenoid

I have a 94 lexus es 300 and I have the same problem the check engine and o/d light is on and it drives slow in first or second and then it will shift into 3rd with no problem i went to a tranny shop and they replaced the p0753 Shift Solenoid A Electrical and the p0773 Shift Solenoid E Electrical and drove around the block and after 15 mins the lights came back on and car acted the same way and got the same codes so he didnt charge me anything and was like he didnt know what it was so now im stuck with a car that doesnt have 1st or 2nd gear so if anyone can help im open for anything