Lexus ES300 - Motor revs, but car doesn't move

condor_222 · 2009-07-01T09:52:47+00:00

Dear Experts,I'm hoping to find someone who might have heard ofthis problem/symptom, and know the solution.I have a 99 Lexus ES300 Coach Edition, with about 86K miles now.Automatic transmission. Very similar to a Camry XLE V6.Bought used last year.This past week, it wouldn't start without a boost.So today, I changed the battery. And installed apowerful 800 cold cranking amp battery. The oldbattery had a bad cell.But even before I did this, I noticed that thetransmission wasn't engaging the way it normallydid. On the way to the battery shop, the enginestarted. I put my foot on the brake and put the carin gear. But the familiar push from the idle was notthere. I had to rev the engine before it moved.And tonight, when I was driving home, I had torev the engine to about 5 or 6 thousand RPMbefore it accelerated.And soon when I was driving down the highway,any more gas (RPM) would not make the car goany faster. I was just coasting, and coasted overto the side of the road. After that, it wouldnot go forward or backward. Even if the enginewas running at a few thousand RPM.So, the symptom is that the engine seems to runfine. Up to 6K rpm fine. But when you put thecar in gear, it won't go at all. But there areno new lights illuminating the dashboard, suchas the check engine light. There doesn't seem tobe any strange mechanical sound.Only 86K miles! My Camry went to 180K and thetransmission worked fine.Does anyone know what would be the cause and/orsolution would be? I'm hoping that it will besomething simple like an electrical issue.Perhaps the NOX sensor?Thanks a lot!

Jul 01, 2009 27 Replies

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josesamano131055 11 years ago

Heyy my Lexus 1993 ES300 is doing the same problem that you came across. Now it won't drive or reverse even when the rpms increase. I was wondering if you ever fixed the problem, if you did how, or if you just sold it.

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