I have a 2004 6MT TSX and I took it in to the dealership today for it's 85,000 Mile service. As I was leaving the dealership after my oil change, I shift into 2nd gear and I knew that there was something definately wrong with my transmission. As I was waiting at the stop light on my way back to the dealership, I rowed through all my gears while waiting for the light to turn green.

From my self diagnosis at the light, the gears 1, 3, and 5 went into place normally whereas gears 2, 4, 6, and reverse went in really soft and felt like there was no real engagement. Also, when shifting into gears 2, 4, 6, and reverse there was about an inch or two of play after going into gear..it looked like my shifter was hyper-extending or my shift knob was going to touch my center arm rest.

So I brought it back and they took it in right away. After about 15 minutes of their diagnosis, they concluded that it was my shifter cable that had broken or come loose or something. They basically came up with the analogy of a worn out brake cable on a bicycle. They said it was flexing and didn't have enough tension on the cable.

Like any other skeptic to dealerships, I made them show me the so-called "broken cable" and sure enough it was bending and flexing very weird.

So now, to fix the problem they are asking about $110 for the part plus labor.

Does anyone know if this part usually gets broken or did mine just break prematurely? And also, why did this happen to me? Has it happened to anyone else? Is it something I can replace on my own?

Thanks for reading and any advice and comments are greatly appreciated.

PS: Sorry for the long read.

 

It should be under warranty if you are still within the warranty mileage.

 

he took it in for his 85,000 miles service

 

You're right! I even had an extended warranty which ended at 75,000 Miles

 

Since you're out of warranty, what about fixing it yourself? The cables (as a set) are $103.xx from www.acuraautomotiveparts.org and probably other online dealers as well.

If you don't have the Helm's manual, it's about $80 and WELL worth it in this case especially. Get the cables and the Helm's and bring a set of wrenches out to your car and DIY. IMO, it can't be that hard to do, really.

The Helm's will pay for itself instantly (as I can guarantee the dealer wants what, $350-$400 for this job at the minimum?). Plus you'll be able to prevent scratches and stuff yourself.

Again, I'm sure it isn't too hard a job.

If you're in a realy hurry, PM me and I can scan the section of the Helm's that has the instructions on how to replace the shift cables -- otherwise, like I said, it's a VERY worthwhile investment.

 

I have the Acura TSX Service Manual...that's equivalent to the Helm's manual right?

If I do it myself...do you think all the components will be hard to get to?

...my service manual is actually in storage right now along with all my stock parts...so I can't really see if the job will be a difficult one.

 

Oh the shame...

 

just giving you a hard time..

 

actually i think it would be pretty hard to go to, the cable goes from the center console, through the firewall and into the engine. there isn't a whole lot of room w/o take out the radio... I'd check to see what the helm's says

 

Exactly -- check the service manual (Helm's/Service... same thing). See what's involved, and make your decision from there.

 

EDIT: Looking at the manual (pp. 13-67) it looks as though the cables both get routed through a grommet in the FLOOR, not the firewall. Might make things a lot easier. Looks as though there are only a few cotter pins, and the shift cable clip (in the housing under the seat-heater-switch area) and that's it. I can't see this being a tough job, especially with a second person under the car/in the engine bay area helping fish the cable ends though the grommet.

 

My 06 tsx 6MT is doing the same thing... 1st, 3rd, 5th... no prob... 2nd, 4th, 6th, rev.... mushy... will not engage. Need help with this ASAP!

 

Not sure curls, the magic Manual says "Remove the cable bracket (A), then disconnect the cables (B) from the top of the transmission..."

TOP of transmission, two or three bolts to remove, bracket to fish out with cables attached, work to do, then blindly reinstall isn't gonna happen. That means remove battery tray and remove clutch slave cylinder...not junior level mechanical stuff, easy to cause a real mess with that stuff.

 

Was it the shifter cable? I'm having the same problem. Started out real mushy now those gears won't engage and reverse is also as mushy + pops out. Had my brother hold down the clutch while I reached into the hood and manually engaged gears 1 through 6.. clutched grabbed so it seems like transmission is ok. btw.. I'm at 135k so I'm way past warranty. :P

 

Ok, so since no one who has had this problem has reported back to us after getting it fixed I'm proud to announce all it was was the shifter cable. I ordered a new one for $126 tax + shipping and finished putting it in today. If you have the problem listed above, it is indeed the shifter cable. To the original poster, if you got it fixed... F**k you for not coming back to these forums to share your results.