leon3536

Hi there,

I just got this car not long ago with 130k on it. I'm had a mechanic (just some guy, not a shop) checking it out and he claims there the transmission "is going" by driving and feeling it. And he recommends me to dump it or send it back to wherever I got it from. I personally felt no major problem with transmission, it's sluggish at times when shifting up 2-3. It's not that smooth, but shifts at right time. And sometimes during a break it shifts down 2-1 causing the engine to revs up. I thought it has to do with the timing belt which isn't much of a problem to replace. Additionally, I've never heard anyone with 1st gen TL having transmission problem. Consumer report shows excellent repair record for transmission... but each car is different.

I'm going to have a auto shop to check it out tomorrow but I'm really anxious to know whether I should believe this guy. It's a lot of time wasted if he's right.

Thanks

Ken1997TL

Take it to a Honda or Acura dealership. Try to get a free diagnosis.

It could be as simple as a transmission flush.

theloweman

You know, I have never owned a car that shift like my 97 2.5TL does. It does all of the things you mentioned. And I think most people here will agree, the 1st gen is far from a normal car... I would have to say what your mechanic buddy expirienced was just a honda tranny doing its job...

TLM

TLBaller

flush the tranny and do an oil change.

spooky3ce

you can't say it better than that...

leon3536

Hey I'm doing that just today and the shop says they will also check the transmission if anything needs repaired they'll let me know. I'll keep it updated here. Thanks for the help guys.

spooky3ce

Make sure you are watching them when they are checking your tranny...

if i were the mechanic and i was checking it just because i made you think i was a good guy, i'd unscrew a bolt and say your tranny is messed up and that it needs adjustment... but to adjust it it'll cost your $300.00 flat... then i'll ask if you would like to do it now... ... so you wouldn't have a choice but to pay me $300.00, so then i'll just go back sit down and drink a beer for 2 to 3 hours then tighten the bolt... just an example... you see where i'm getting at though...

Just letting you know because it happened to me with the exhaust thing... I knew my exhaust manifold was damaged somehow and i went to an Import Specialist (specializes on imports)... they told me they ran it through this new high tech machine etc... well they told me that it was my intake manifold gaskets that were torn/broken... i ended up paying about $250.00 to $300.00 for nothing... but i did get the new gaskets in the intake manifold... but my exhaust still sounds like crap...

Well, good luck... hope everything turns out well... keep us posted on how it goes...

leon3536

Awesome, they say no tranny problem. Fluid flush worked well. Shifting feels much more smoother with normal acceleration. But when I accelerate harder - say halfway down with the accelerator, I can still feel all the shifting when the engine drops from 3.5k to 2k rpm. I assume older cars can't be as good as new ones, and most automatic drivers releases the accelerator to hint the car to shift gear. I'm not going to worry about it now. I hope to get 3 more years out of this car though Thanks all for the help.

98AcuraTL2014

I'm having the exact same problem with my 98 TL. Has just over 133,XXX / miles, just got an oil change, but when I got to get a transmission flush no one wants to service my acura. A little sluggish when accelerating, and changing gears when rpm is above 2500. Everything else is in very good condition, very well taking care of. I've been to 3 different auto repair shops, and two shops just took it for a test drive and when they returned they tell me it needs a transmission replace with a cost of $4,500. The other shop didn't even look at my car they told me they could not flush the transmission. I'm obviously not a mechanic, but I've experienced transmission failures from all sort of cars to trucks. I wouldn't say it has a slip, it has a minor delay when the rpm is around 2500, to 3500, but as I let off It shifts so smooth I don't feel it. And one more thing is once the car warms up and I'm driving in 3rd gear on a incline it loses power or if I'm on a flat surface driving in 3rd gear as I maintain speed there's a vibration. I understand this post was a very long time ago, I would appreciate any one who could maybe help out as to if it's a trans flush or a new transmission. As I was reading the original post, and was thinking this is the exact same problem I'm having right now . I want to fix it before I really do need a transmission. Please help me.

main70072

Drop the pan, change the screen, o-ring, gasket, and do a 3x drain and fill with Honda fluid and you should be good to go. Look in the DIY database for help. Welcome to the forum!

adventurecrv

main70072 has said it all and it is a very easy job, although it can be a bit messy. The part that took me the longest was getting the old gasket off the pan and transmission housing without damaging the soft aluminium.

Older Honda's sometimes do not like the flush machine and there is no need for that expense.

Don't forget to use ONLY HONDA fluids in your transmission.

TLMichelle

Hey, my '98 TL has a vibration sometimes, too. I haven't verified what causes it, though, but it's like it hits a sweet spot and starts vibrating. When that happens, I just let off on the accelerator a little until it gets smooth again. I sure hope it isn't definitely tranny-related.

I used to drive a '94 Chrysler LHS until the timing chain broke and left me stranded between two highways on a bridge with a cop who didn't know what to do (that car was a piece of junk if ya ask me). It would shake like crazy at highway speed and I thought the front end was going to fall off, lol. But after it got past 75-ish MPH, it would improve, but would have a seizure again if it slowed down. I can't remember what the cause of that was, but I don't think it was the tranny.

main70072

Vibration problems are most difficult to track down because it could be anything from tires being bad or improperly balanced, wheels untrue, blown shocks/struts, ball joints, cv shafts, tie rods, etc... Doesn't necessary have to be the transmission and hopefully not the transmission. And yeah, it must be something if the timing chain broke on that car, lol.

champyboy28

My car won't go in drive help

champyboy28

My 96 acura tl 2.5 goes in reverse but not in drive! I just bought car for 300 and I'm wondering if I need a transmission? I empty the differential fluid and tranny fluid but I don't want to put new transmission filter and honda atf. Along with dif fluids. If i am going to need a new tranny. I took of the solenoids but they are 500 to replace. So I'm going to clean old ones and out back. What to do. Should I fill up with fluids and hope she goes or drop the tranny and pay 1000 to rebuilt???? Car has 195000 miles and runs good

brandyhope2016

I have a 96 tl 2.5 automatic tranny it runs great all the time and the tranny shifts good an like it should when the rpm gauge is working but sometime the rpm gauge doesn't move and it's delayed and a ruff shift but only does it when rpm gauge isn't working I do all my own mechanic work myself but ive always had American made cars this is my first import an I honestly love the car I myself thinks that it is a sensor or maybe in wiring cause like I said it don't do it all the time I took it by a acura dealer ship and told them what it was doing an they wouldn't even drive it or put on rack an look underneath at tranny mybe check wires an sensor but them said it was a waste of time it needed a tranny but I don't believe it been around cars my whole life an never seen one shift fine for a week or so an all a sudden rpm gauge not moving and it shifts funny any suggestions or maybe advice on what to check or do