Hi,
My 2008 RDX with 98K has problem with transmission.
It is shifts fine between the gears. It engages fine from Park to Drive or Reverse, fine from Netrual to Drive but when moving shifter from Netrual to Reverse nothing happens for about 3 second following with violence engagement. All car jumps from that engagement. Very weird.
Any ideas???

 

Please provide full info - car cold, warm, before driving, after driving (how far), ambient temp, etc. When and why would you be shifting from neutral to reverse, without going immediately into PARK? We are not mechanics (well, most of us are not), plus we simply cannot diagnose by web-link, without *more* info than your dealer, because he at least has direct access to the car

Also provide full service records for the trans, if any. Then we might be able to make an educated guess. My guess is that you have never changed the trans ATF, and the original crappy Z1 is in there, and worn out.

You should look at one of the many TL trans threads on this forum, for reasons to change the ATF sooner, rather than later. More TL threads simply because that model is older than the RDX.

There is also a thread for RDX trans fluid change in DIY section.

And finally, your problem may have nothing to do with ATF, there are 20 other possible reasons for a problem. But without complete info from you, no one can guess.

 

Check tranny fluid level.

Drive until the car is warm, park car, wait 30-60 seconds, remove yellow dip stick, wipe and replace, remove again and check level.

 

ATF was changed every 30K from new with Castrol Import. Did 3X change every time.
Last change 6K ago. Level is good right now, clean and bright red.
When problem happened ( see initial post) I put it to park and back to reverse and it was fine. Moved to neutral and to reverse and violence engagement again. After that I stop playing with it.

 

Please verify full level oil, by allowing car to sit overnight, then check the level *BEFORE* starting the engine. This is a COLD check.

This check is not quite as "accurate" as checking while warm, BUT ... it is a lot more repeatable, and less susceptable to error. Most people find it very difficult to get an accurate level check when the engine is warm.

If the ambient temp is around 80-90 degrees, and the COLD level is at least 1/2 between the bottom and top holes on the dip stick, it is OK. Just slightly too high is much better than below the bottom hole.

Remember, there is only a difference of 8 ounces between the top and bottom hole on the dip stick. Which is why an accurate level check is so important. Too low can damage the trans, and cause the type of symptom that you have reported. Too high is very unlikely to damage the trans, the most likely symptom is simply that the car will try to move forward without throttle, at idle, in DRIVE. Check your OM (owner manual) for a description of specific symptoms of over/under filling of the trans.

A correct HOT LEVEL READING is so difficult, that I wrote a thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=801122

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Sorry, but you are still not supplying sufficient info for helpful responses - did this happen when the car/ trans was COLD or HOT? any specific conditions? etc.

please think carefully, and explain *exactly* what happened.

----------------------------
What exactly is CASTROL IMPORT? what exactly does the bottle/ can of oil state as the applications for this ATF? Sorry, but I am not familiar with all of the various types and brands of ATF. Please report ALL of the applications on the bottle, as that will give us an idea of the type of ATF. Is HONDA specifically listed as an application on the Castrol Import bottle? as a Z1 replacement?

I personally would only use a DEX-III type ATF, if not using Honda ATF (DW-1). I personally use RedLine brand D4, which is a DEX-III type ATF.

Again, it is frustrating to continue asking many questions - please respond with every thing that may be relevant to your problem.

 

+1 on the fluid. Castrol says the import formula meets Honda spec, but caution is advised. Honda ATF scarcely costs much more.

Take note if the "D" in your shift indicator is flashing. This would mean that the computer has stored a transmission fault code.

There are many trans fault codes. Some will show a flashing D accompanied by an MIL light, and others do not include the MIL light.

The trans fault code will identify specifically what is wrong. Get the code read or you can pull it up yourself.

How to pull up the System Diagnostic:

1. simultaneously press "Map/Guide" "Menu" and "Cancel" until it enters the Select Diagnosis Items screen.
2. click on XM (HIP) lower right, then XM (HIP) ECU to reach the Select Telematics Diagnosis screen.
3. six items should be displayed; choose number 3, Diagnostic Info
4. click on your trouble message to read it.

CAUTION: DO NOT futz around in those menus; you can screw stuff up. Just write down the fault message and "Return" out.

 

I am guessing that this *self diagnostic test procedure* is only available with the NAV system, which my own 2009 RDX does not have. Regardless, I cannot find a description of this procedure in the 2009 FSM (factory service manual). Is it there, or is this procedure described elsewhere? just wondering - and the procedure is quite nice as most people will not have an HDS (honda diagnostic code reader), but also I guess those of us w/o NAV cannot read the trans DTCs.

 

In my service manual it's in the Navigation System chapter (23) under System Diagnostic Mode.

It's purpose is to automatically report DTCs via AcuraLink, if the owner enables that. I have never enabled AcuraLink, so I use it to read/clear DTCs myself.

I have not found anything similar in the manual for non-nav cars and I've never seen a non-nav set-up, so I'm not sure what capability they have.

ps. Not sure if a free code reading from the auto parts stores will pick up transmission DTCs or not. But certainly worth a try.

 

OP,

Is the Castrol really less expensive? Why wouldn't you use a HMCo oil/fluid?

 

Acuralink ?? Sorry for the Hi-Jack
My 07 Wont go into reverse, I have the Shop manual. The first time I started my car, on the Nav screen it said, go to Acuralink, I hit "Yes, but it wouldn't goe to Acuralink. I filled all fluid (Honda trans fluid) I stopped and started my car about 8 times, and the Nav screen wont show that Acuralink again ? I also noticed the "VSC" was still turned off each time I re-started my car. Usually it I have to put the "VSC" Button each time I start my car, so I don't have the VSC engaged
So the Trans Will show its In "R" But the "D" Drive light on the dash blinks, no matter what gear or "R" . It will drive forward, but No "R" and the VSC with the Triangle (shows VSC is off ) Now stays on. I tried to push the VCS button to Engage the VSC, but its not working ? I checked some fuses, filled the trans (it was low about a pint) Still ??? A man is coming to drive it sunday Jan 19, 2014. Maybe GOD doesn't want me to sell it ??? Please help. And again "SORRY FOR THE HI-JACK" I am searching all over to find an answer ??

 

The flashing "D" indicates that there is a transmission fault code stored. If you have a tech model, see the instructions above (post #6) to retrieve the fault code.