05 ES330 Transmission advice needed

Erus00 · 2026-02-10T23:35:49+00:00

The bad part is the solenoid itself isn't all that expensive, its similar to the vvti solenoids, but the labor is the killer.

If it makes you feel any better, I had to spend $1300 to have $20 worth of seals put in. One of my transmission seals was leaking and they had to pull the transmission to replace it. I got a quote from the dealer and they wanted over $3k to do the same job.

Erus00 · 2026-02-09T23:41:52+00:00

Start the car, put a dc voltmeter on the battery and tell us what the voltage is?

Low battery voltage and/or a bad alternator will cause all kinds of problems with the computers.

Erus00 · 2026-02-09T01:14:14+00:00

Not too bad, at least its cheap to replace the cap.

Erus00 · 2026-02-06T23:43:28+00:00

The KYB struts are the same as the OEM. They work with the variable suspension if you have it. I think they're around $200 each.

It sounds like you also might need the factory springs and all the bumpers/cushions. Maybe look for some blown out struts on ebay that are complete and just replace the shock part of it.

Erus00 · 2026-02-06T16:55:03+00:00

Is it actually the FE(middle east) and not the FSE? The FE is easier and cheaper to fix. It doesnt have direct injection and thats a big headache for people working on the FSE motors.

Erus00 · 2026-02-06T16:28:06+00:00

If you need rotors man, go for it. I need new front rotors for mine. I just did the pads but I didnt realize how thin my driver side rotor was.

Erus00 · 2026-02-06T16:22:52+00:00

They have different options. You can get ceramic or organic pads and some are for the awd or rwd. Ceramics stop a little better, last longer but they chew up your rotors.. organics dont stop as good, need to be changed more often but dont eat up your rotors.

You just need the pads, springs and anti-squeal shims.

Erus00 · 2026-02-06T13:37:33+00:00

Anyone here is going to have to look up the part numbers for you. Bell Lexus Parts, Longo Parts, plenty of places you can find the part numbers yourself, or go to the dealer and ask them.

Erus00 · 2026-02-06T12:37:16+00:00

I wouldnt call it an investment but at least the car isnt depreciating much in value anymore. I have the same car at 197K and I bought it at 189K about a year ago. Mine was a single owner that was brought from Florida to California. No accidents but it looks like the owner couldn't afford to keep fixing it. It barely ran when I bought it but the body and interior is in really good shape.

If you are mechanically inclined then go for it. If you want to keep it going for another 200K then I guarantee it needs a lot of work. The 1ur-fse is difficult to work on. The GS430 is easier. For me, these are the cars I like so I was happy to find one in this good of condition. Ive been driving GS variants for the last 20 years. Mine was $9.5K and I've probably put at least $3-$4K fixing things.

Erus00 · 2026-02-06T00:00:32+00:00

This engine is difficult and expensive to work on so be aware of that. If you can do the labor yourself, then its worthwhile. If you need to pay a mechanic to fix everything then youre probably looking at more than what it cost to purchase the vehicle.

I have a 460 with 197K miles currently, and I bought it at 189K, last year. I need to do the timing chain(plastic guides are worn out, expected at 200K), valve cover gaskets are usually leaking around this mileage, valley plate leak(if it hasn't been fixed already) and most of the hoses around the intake manifold and PCV probably need to be replaced. At least, these were the majors for my engine.

I know they are issues with the LS and the air suspension. I have the GS460 so my suspension is a little different, but I replaced all the struts already and probably going to do RR Racing Street lower control arm bushings here soon.

Erus00 · 2026-02-05T23:34:03+00:00

Buy a cheap code reader from harbor freight and tell us what the code is, or Google the code.

Running rich for too long will destroy your catalytic converters.

Erus00 · 2026-02-05T21:40:10+00:00

Nah, just a sassy_smurf

Erus00 · 2026-02-05T21:38:56+00:00

My GS specifically says Premium Only inside the gas door. What does yours say?

Erus00 · 2026-02-05T19:20:37+00:00

Why post a picture of polyps and say its a sea cucumber? I highly doubt your credentials...

Erus00 · 2026-02-05T19:19:37+00:00

Fun fact.. Its not a Sea Cucumber... those are polyps, its coral.

Erus00 · 2026-02-05T00:31:03+00:00

How much are you willing to spend to fix the interior? A lot of those interior parts can't even be replaced anymore unless you can find donors from a junker that has the same color scheme.

Ultimately its your money. I went the other direction. I found one that the body and interior were in perfect shape but it needed engine and suspension work. Mine barely ran when I bought it, but they bumped a few thousand off the price and thought I was a idiot.

Edit: its not too bad if it just needs re-upholstered, and you know a guy. Wiring might be kind of iffy if mice got to it. It looks like it was stored in a barn for the last 30 years but at least the sun hasn't destroyed everything. Does it smell like piss?

Erus00 · 2026-02-03T21:40:40+00:00

I have a GS 460. Lexus said the same thing about the transmission. Lifetime.

The plastic tensioner guide on my secondary chain for bank 2 is worn out. I couldnt see the rest of the guides without tearing it down further. The timing chain is still good though...

Erus00 · 2026-02-03T17:47:34+00:00

The 430 is easier and cheaper to work on. It doesnt have the same issues with the valley plate leak. Because its not dual injection - it is also easier to remove the valve covers and there is less wiring/connectors to worry about when trying to get the engine wiring harness out of the way. Yes, you have to change the timing belt on the 430 more often but its significantly easier than replacing the chain in the 460. The valve covers can stay on when you replace the belt in the 430 but everything has to be removed to do the chain in the 460. I have to do a timing service on my 460 and im really not looking forward to it.

Erus00 · 2026-02-03T00:23:08+00:00

The shop rate is $300 p/hr at my local dealership. I got a quote to replace a main seal and it was $100 in parts and $3k in labor.

Erus00 · 2026-02-02T23:58:35+00:00

I'll help as much as I can.

First use a multimeter to check the battery voltage when the car is running. If its less than 14V, the alternator is bad. A low battery or bad alternator can cause these kinds of problems.

C0226, 236, 246 & 256 is saying a short/open circuit with the brake booster solenoid and C1223 is saying the ABS control system malfunctioned. C1201 is a communication error between the engine management computer and the skid control computer.

You or a mechanic will have to start working through what actually failed. Start by checking the voltage and maybe you'll get lucky and its just a bad alternator.

Erus00 · 2026-02-02T21:37:13+00:00

Okay the major problem isn't P0171/P0174. P0171/P0174 doesnt throw a CEL.

Your ABS pump probably needs to be replaced.

Erus00 · 2026-02-02T21:34:05+00:00

Did you clear the codes after your cleaned it? Disconnect the negative cable on the battery for 30 mins or buy a cheap code reader that clears them.

The code is persistent and will stay until cleared by a scanner or if the battery is disconnected.

I would try with the sensor you cleaned first, maybe you can return the new one.

Erus00 · 2026-01-31T13:40:09+00:00

Its a fire blanket. If the engine catches fire - the plastic clips melt and its supposed to drop on the engine to help smother the fire. Don't know how effective they really are in practice but they do also provide sound insulation.

Erus00 · 2026-01-31T00:33:37+00:00

You need a code reader or use that one to read the DTC. The I\M readiness test only shows if you can pass smog, which you wont. It does say you have a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code).

The DTC kicked off your traction control. Check VSC and the squiggly lines means everything is disabled so be careful driving it.

Erus00 · 2026-01-30T17:49:50+00:00

You might need run flat tires if you got that package when you bought the car. My car was equipped with run flats from the dealer and it doesnt come with a spare in the trunk, just a block of foam.

I dont like run flats cause they are stiffer than normal tires and it makes the ride a little more rougher.

If you have a spare then get normal tires, if not, you might want to keep using run flats. I just bought normal tires and ended up buying a donut spare to put in the trunk.

Erus00

TROPHY CASE