NewStats: 3,260,855 , 8,172,821 topics. Date: Tuesday, 27 May 2025 at 09:04 PM 5c3l5p

Hi Guys, greetings.
I am looking for people who have experienced this, or have an idea on how to solve this issue.

My lexus RX330 2005 drives very fine. It doesn't throw up any error code as regards to it's drivability. Currently, the only error codes it is throwing up is 0430 and 0420 code "catalyst system inefficiency below threshold bank 1 and bank 2". I know it has to do with the China catalysts I installed in the bank 1 and 2 port as I don't have money for the original direct tokumbo ones. Mine was stolen.

Back to the subject, at every cold start up, mostly in the morning, when I put it in reverse, it moves fast and quickly as it should, but when I put it in drive, the car only revs as you pedal it but doesn't move, it will look as if it is in park or neutral. It doesn't move, it only revs and revs, then after about 8-10mins of the car idling and steaming (the car has become warm) then you pedal it, it will gradually and hesitantly start moving slowly and then pick up within some seconds and drive very fine all throughout the day. The gear selects very fine. This situation only happens when the car is cold (like 7-8hrs of parking). If it is warm, it doesn't happen. Me and my mechanic has inspected the selenoids in the gear body valve, inspected the gear shift sensor, the gear speed sensor, the 13 pins, all are okay. The right gear oil is what I use and it is gauged.

I have exhausted my research, me and my mechanic has run out of ideas, the mechanic is advising me to get a direct tokumbo japan 13pin gearbox and replace it, that the problem is from the gearbox drive fiber, that the gear is also old, since it is 2005; That if I don't change the gear, it will affect my engine. My engine is barely a month old (direct Japan tokumbo 3MZ). I just changed it after a failed oil pump destroyed the old one.

This gear box is very expensive, I can't afford it now and I don't want to jeopardise my 'new' japan tokumbo engine. Anyone have similar experience or have an idea of solving this problem?

Sorry for the long write up, I needed to detail this situation. Thanks for your expected input.

If I ever want to buy lexus. It will never be their suv.
U have changed engine without even firing it,now it remains gear .alaye put it up for sale at 4
2m and move on kexus is not for u and its scrap. We should not even be driving 05 models,even 2012 models sef na nonsense.tho old lexus models engines are stronger. Sell it at 2m .its a scrap..no matter how beautiful the Interior is,a car without a functioning gear is a carton.
A smokey engine can be tamed and treated,and sold instantly
But a car with changed engine and non functional gear can only be bought as scrap and butchered.

Take it to owode onirin
OK
Quick butchering for figures

HENRYFORDmmeje:
Hi Guys, greetings.
I am looking for people who have experienced this, or have an idea on how to solve this issue.

My lexus RX330 2005 drives very fine. It doesn't throw up any error code as regards to it's drivability. Currently, the only error codes it is throwing up is 0430 and 0420 code "catalyst system inefficiency below threshold bank 1 and bank 2". I know it has to do with the China catalysts I installed in the bank 1 and 2 port as I don't have money for the original direct tokumbo ones. Mine was stolen.

Back to the subject, at every cold start up, mostly in the morning, when I put it in reverse, it moves fast and quickly as it should, but when I put it in drive, the car only revs as you pedal it but doesn't move, it will look as if it is in park or neutral. It doesn't move, it only revs and revs, then after about 8-10mins of the car idling and steaming (the car has become warm) then you pedal it, it will gradually and hesitantly start moving slowly and then pick up within some seconds and drive very fine all throughout the day. The gear selects very fine. This situation only happens when the car is cold (like 7-8hrs of parking). If it is warm, it doesn't happen. Me and my mechanic has inspected the selenoids in the gear body valve, inspected the gear shift sensor, the gear speed sensor, the 13 pins, all are okay. The right gear oil is what I use and it is gauged.

I have exhausted my research, me and my mechanic has run out of ideas, the mechanic is advising me to get a direct tokumbo japan 13pin gearbox and replace it, that the problem is from the gearbox drive fiber, that the gear is also old, since it is 2005; That if I don't change the gear, it will affect my engine. My engine is barely a month old (direct Japan tokumbo 3MZ). I just changed it after a failed oil pump destroyed the old one.

This gear box is very expensive, I can't afford it now and I don't want to jeopardise my 'new' japan tokumbo engine. Anyone have similar experience or have an idea of solving this problem?

Sorry for the long write up, I needed to detail this situation. Thanks for your expected input.

^^^
I have similar problems with a RAV4 of a similar age.

No problems with 'R' gear but very slow to warm up in 'D' gear in the morning...but fine for the rest of the day etc. I have lived with the problem for about 3 years now and nothing has happened to my engine (so far). I was told the problem is low/poor friction in the clutch bands? upon cold start up.

I was a bit concerned when the mechanic told me (at the first signs of the problem) that the transmission could give up on me at any time - but its been 3 years now and it still works. I avoid revving the engine at start up in the morning - I let the transmission warm on its own before it slowly moves - and we are fine till the next morning. I also thought of getting a replacement transmission but I don't know how much life is left in any replacement/tokunbo transmission I may decide to buy.

Seek a second opinion about whether your engine is truly at risk from delayed transmission engagement. This is the first time I am hearing of this.

HENRYFORDmmeje:
Hi Guys, greetings.
I am looking for people who have experienced this, or have an idea on how to solve this issue.

My lexus RX330 2005 drives very fine. It doesn't throw up any error code as regards to it's drivability. Currently, the only error codes it is throwing up is 0430 and 0420 code "catalyst system inefficiency below threshold bank 1 and bank 2". I know it has to do with the China catalysts I installed in the bank 1 and 2 port as I don't have money for the original direct tokumbo ones. Mine was stolen.

Back to the subject, at every cold start up, mostly in the morning, when I put it in reverse, it moves fast and quickly as it should, but when I put it in drive, the car only revs as you pedal it but doesn't move, it will look as if it is in park or neutral. It doesn't move, it only revs and revs, then after about 8-10mins of the car idling and steaming (the car has become warm) then you pedal it, it will gradually and hesitantly start moving slowly and then pick up within some seconds and drive very fine all throughout the day. The gear selects very fine. This situation only happens when the car is cold (like 7-8hrs of parking). If it is warm, it doesn't happen. Me and my mechanic has inspected the selenoids in the gear body valve, inspected the gear shift sensor, the gear speed sensor, the 13 pins, all are okay. The right gear oil is what I use and it is gauged.

I have exhausted my research, me and my mechanic has run out of ideas, the mechanic is advising me to get a direct tokumbo japan 13pin gearbox and replace it, that the problem is from the gearbox drive fiber, that the gear is also old, since it is 2005; That if I don't change the gear, it will affect my engine. My engine is barely a month old (direct Japan tokumbo 3MZ). I just changed it after a failed oil pump destroyed the old one.

This gear box is very expensive, I can't afford it now and I don't want to jeopardise my 'new' japan tokumbo engine. Anyone have similar experience or have an idea of solving this problem?

Sorry for the long write up, I needed to detail this situation. Thanks for your expected input.

Your problem may stem from the Chinese cat you installed. Start by taking it out. It may have blocked the exhaust.

Also, get a more competent mechanic with capacity for scan & data stream. He may be able to ascertain the issues from running a live data.

I had this same issue with a 2004 Toyota Matrix few years ago. I kept on driving it that way for about 2 years, until it later became worse. I took it to a gearbox specialist, and he fixed it within 2 days. The vehicle drove perfectly thereafter.

A defective transmission will not damage the engine, Transmission sends the power from the engine to the wheels of the vehicle, that is its function, if it can't do that due to some fault then the engine continues doing its job.
You know your transmission is bad and you don't have money to replace, continue using as is and start driving the car very gently, hopefully it serves you until you have saved enough money for a replacement.
It Can also be wise to seek the opinion of another mechanic with a good scan tool, see if total replacement isn't needed and the issue can be fixed, for now keep using as is, drive it gently and start saving.

AlvinOO7:
I had this same issue with a 2004 Toyota Matrix few years ago. I kept on driving it that way for about 2 years, until it later became worse. I took it to a gearbox specialist, and he fixed it within 2 days. The vehicle drove perfectly thereafter.

Please can you link me with Gearbox Specialist? My phone number is 08058047663

Try another scanner from a different person

HENRYFORDmmeje:
Hi Guys, greetings.
I am looking for people who have experienced this, or have an idea on how to solve this issue.

My lexus RX330 2005 drives very fine. It doesn't throw up any error code as regards to it's drivability. Currently, the only error codes it is throwing up is 0430 and 0420 code "catalyst system inefficiency below threshold bank 1 and bank 2". I know it has to do with the China catalysts I installed in the bank 1 and 2 port as I don't have money for the original direct tokumbo ones. Mine was stolen.

Back to the subject, at every cold start up, mostly in the morning, when I put it in reverse, it moves fast and quickly as it should, but when I put it in drive, the car only revs as you pedal it but doesn't move, it will look as if it is in park or neutral. It doesn't move, it only revs and revs, then after about 8-10mins of the car idling and steaming (the car has become warm) then you pedal it, it will gradually and hesitantly start moving slowly and then pick up within some seconds and drive very fine all throughout the day. The gear selects very fine. This situation only happens when the car is cold (like 7-8hrs of parking). If it is warm, it doesn't happen. Me and my mechanic has inspected the selenoids in the gear body valve, inspected the gear shift sensor, the gear speed sensor, the 13 pins, all are okay. The right gear oil is what I use and it is gauged.

I have exhausted my research, me and my mechanic has run out of ideas, the mechanic is advising me to get a direct tokumbo japan 13pin gearbox and replace it, that the problem is from the gearbox drive fiber, that the gear is also old, since it is 2005; That if I don't change the gear, it will affect my engine. My engine is barely a month old (direct Japan tokumbo 3MZ). I just changed it after a failed oil pump destroyed the old one.

This gear box is very expensive, I can't afford it now and I don't want to jeopardise my 'new' japan tokumbo engine. Anyone have similar experience or have an idea of solving this problem?

Sorry for the long write up, I needed to detail this situation. Thanks for your expected input.

Your transmission issue is with hardened bonded pistons, particularly the forward clutch piston. Because of hardening (becoming like plastic) over the years, they can't hold the supplied hydraulic in place and therefore can't apply the clutches. After they warm up, they soften and expand to spec and start building pressure. The only repair way is to find a competent tech who can get good replacements and do a good job. Because good replacement parts are not readily available new, he must remove from a junk box and check for softness before replacing.

To ensure you don't have only two kilometers of drive after this repair, he must apply the cleanest work ethic he can muster during this repair. It's advised the transmission is washed thoroughly after detachment before It's opened. Pressure (car) wash is best, since he wont have a parts washer.Common sense should know to cover the shaft hole before washing. He must ensure that not even a grain of sand gets in. If not, you'll need another valvebody soon afterwards.

Follow these and your transmission will be back soon.

But rest assured though, that this issue gat nothing on your engine. If you can't find a competent tech, you can be managing it like that until you can replace it. Just make sure the pressure is up before driving, else you'll wear out the friction plates fast. All the best!