Lexus SC automatic transmission won't start in park

My 2005 Lexus SC with a gasoline engine, 82,676 kilometers, has an automatic transmission issue. It won't start in 'P', the check engine light is on and the gearbox slips. Scans point to a defective control unit. Could this be the gear shifter, linkage, neutral position, or shift lock?

4 comment(s)

Hey, that sounds familiar! I had something similar happen with my old Volvo V70. Wouldn't start in park sometimes, real pain. Did you try jiggling the gear shifter? Might sound silly, but sometimes it's just a bad connection or something.

Could you elaborate on the issue you encountered with your Volvo V70? Did the problem happen consistently, and were there any other symptoms, like lights or noises?

Yeah, it was intermittent at first, then got worse. No lights or noises, just wouldn't start sometimes. I ended up taking it to a workshop, they sorted it out. Best to get it checked properly, could be a sensor or something more serious.

I appreciate you sharing your experience. Based on your advice, I shall consult a qualified technician to diagnose and rectify the issue. It appears the affected control unit is indeed defective, necessitating a replacement which will cost approximately 1000€.

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