Hi,

I have a 2004 TSX 6MT, recently it is very hard sometimes to shift into first. Also while shifting into reverse it grinds and I always shift into a forward gear first before shifting into reverse. Today I had an issue where it was actually stuck in reverse. Could this be because of a bad clutch?

thanks in advance!

 

Yes, the clutch disk is dragging on the flywheel, for whatever reason. Best to address it soon before the tranny synchronizers fail - they're being overworked now.

 

This sounds like my problem exactly. I had the dealer look at it a couple weeks ago but they couldn't reproduce it. They did a transmission flush service instead and it was good for a week but then is acting up worse than before. I had it in another shop this morning for an alignment and they said I need a new clutch, though I doubt they actually did any deep inspection.

nbtx, what's the proposed fix if it's the clutch disk dragging on the flywheel?

2004 TSX 6MT, 73k miles, basically learned to drive clutch on this car. When it grinds putting it into reverse, I find I can turn the car off, shift to R with the clutch depressed, and then start the car.

 

The transmission must be removed for an inspection of the clutch operation.
Apparently there is a service bulletin regarding the clutch disk not sliding easily on the input spline and corrected by some magic Honda grease. Search and ye might find.

 

Thanks, I found this...

Make : ACURA Model : TSX Year : 2004
Manufacturer : HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Service Bulletin Number : 903 Date of Bulletin : SEP 16, 2003
NHTSA Item Number : 10005013
Component : POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Description: HARD TO ENGAGE 1ST GEAR, GRINDS INTO REVERSE. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT

Though the best I found so far is $12 to buy access to all the TSB's for my car:
http://www.carcomplaints.com/repair_manual.shtml

At least I could tell the dealer to start at that TSB instead of diagnosing it from scratch.

 

I called the dealer... he said he found that TSB (not by that # but by their internal one) and it only says to lubricate the shifter, or something like that. He said they've been doing that on every one since 2004, so it's nothing new.

 

First, are you having trouble with the clutch or the gears?
Most honda's (civic si, s2k, 3rd gen TL, 4th gen TL) have gear problems.
on my 3rd gen TL, 3rd gear always gave me trouble.
I solved this by using GM syncromesh friction modified fluid.
it replaced the shitty honda mtf.

if you're having clutch problems....like slipping, or not grabbing...then i would change the clutch

 

Count blah, its the shitty MTF.
you said, (im paraphrasing here) "once they flushed and used new fluid, the gears were fine for a bout a week"

replace the fluid with GM syncromesh Friction Modified fluid.
Like NBTX said, if the syncro's are too far gone, the fluid will not help. you would then have to rebuild the gear sets.

there are also ways of testing if your clutch is slipping.

 

justnspace,
Thanks. I found lots of info on that GM fluid here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/gm-synchromesh-transmission-fluid-friction-modified-621176/

My problems are always when shifting into reverse (it grinds) or 1st (it can be VERY hard to push it into place). Once the shift knob is in position, there's no issue as I let off the clutch. It'll sometimes be fine for days and then have problems; I can't identify what exact scenarios cause it. Does that indicate a slipping clutch or other issue? Does that sound like the kind of problem the GM fluid would fix?

 

that sounds like the gear set.
its not getting enough lubrication from the lack of friction modifiers in the Honda MTF.

the clutch and gears are two different things.
the clutch is an instrument that connect to the transmission, which houses the gears.
the clutch uses clamping forces and disks. if these disks get worn, you will feel slipping. this is characterized as "my RPMS are going up but not my speed"


Again, if your syncro's are too far gone, GM syncromesh wont help.
but if I were you, this is what I would do.
the GM magic juice is far cheaper than rebuilding the gear set.
I would snag some and try it out. it cost me about $60.00.

for what its worth, my 3rd gear was grinding really bad. even my passengers could notice something happening during my 2-3 shift.
replaced my MTF with the GM stuff and no more grinding or popping out.

 

after re-reading....I would go in and get the TSB fix, first.
if they lube up the shifter, that might get it to work.

if not, look into the GM syncromesh route.

 

Gotcha.. thanks.

 

II had this exact problem and I fixed it by adjusting the nut behind the clutch pedal. I turned it a very small amount, by doing this it pushed more fluid threw the master and slave.

 

I recently had the exact same problem with my 2005 tsx. It sometimes can be difficult to shift into first and grinds going in reverse. I have to turn the car off shift to reverse then turn it on. Several shops said it could be due to a internal failure in the clutch master cylinder. Does your clutch engage real low as well?

 

To follow up (after my posts last August), I went feeling around for that nut behind the clutch pedal to adjust it. Didn't find it, but my fingers came back with a big glob of goo. Almost like the adhesive used in a credit card mailer or something. Anyway, after removing that goo, I didn't have a single clutch problem. Seems silly, but I'm glad it didn't require anything else!


Just last night I sold my '04 TSX 6MT with 79,700 miles and picked up my new '12 TL.

 

How did you fix your issue?
I am having identical problem.