Yes, I know that this is that same common problem with our CL and TL's, but I'm just trying to confirm a couple of things from what I have read here and ask a couple quick questions. I did search around the CL forum, but there are like 2 and a half threads here, and that was a little discouraging. That's why I'm making this thread.

OK. So, the car only shudders in 3rd and 4th. The tranny shudders the entire time It's engaged, not just when it's shifting into or out of that gear. Gears 1,2,5 are all fine.

What I want to know is should I replace:

1. Solenoid Assembly A
2. Solenoid Assembly B
3. Switch Oil Pressure
4. Switch Assembly, AT Oil Pressure
5. Temperature Sensor Assembly

Here, I'm just going to post a link to an Acura dealer website where I inputted my VIN and so everything should be correct for my car. Tell me what I ought to purchase and/or just clean that part.

Link: https://acura.oempartsonline.com/v-2...ensor-solenoid

Also, no I have not replaced the tranny fluid yet, but I do have it here. I purchased two filters for it, but 1 is god-damn internal, which makes it a bit difficult to replace. My car also might not even use the other cylinder shaped screw-on filter, but I have it if I need it. I planned on replacing the fluid and any and all sensors or whatever else is needed at the same time. OR, possibly I should just do the 3 drain and refill first before even considering all that other shit.

And any other suggestions would be great. Like, can I possibly add an oil cooler?

Please be patient with me. I have searched around. Remember, I'm totally new to Acura and Honda as well. And also remember that there are no stupid questions, just stupid people. Now, hop to, and please help me.

 

What do you mean by shudder?

 

The car shakes like it needs a balance adjustment. If I'm not accelerating, it's not bad at all. And you might not feel it. Once I accelerate, it shakes.

It starts at 40 MPH and continues until about 60 MPH. After that, it smooths out.

I thought that it might be a suspension issue because it also pulled pretty good to the left. They replaced two tires (front ones) the rear tires were only about a year old. They also did the alignment. They said it was pretty far out of wack. I can post the before and after measurements. They were not able to adjust the front passenger side camber because it was not adjustable.

The adjustment took care of the pulling to the left totally.

 

AT or MT? If AT, I will share my experience with our 2003 CL Type S.

 

It's an automatic. I purchased it two months ago. 150K miles on it. I've only put on 600 or so.

Edit: Thank you for the replies. I honestly have no idea about what's wrong. Is it a transmission issue? Is it a suspension issue that the tire shop overlooked? I really have no idea. I have no experience with either issue.

 

I was checking the transmission fluid level today. It was the color of most clean motor oils. Light amber. Not even close to red.



I didn't intend for that to be so god damn fuckin' big. But I'd say this oil was somewhere around 0. Right where the word Amber is. I don't know of a transmission fluid that's that color. Maybe there is. Can you guys let me know? I might have to kill a motherfucker. For putting some crazy shit in there before he sold it to me.

 

What's the ATF smell like?

 

I didn't think to smell it or touch it to see if it was sticky, but I will be able to this after noon and post on it.

 

ATF, for me, has always had a 'burnt' smell to it. But according to Google, this means that the transmission is running too hot, so I dunno. But my '07 AV6 auto trans never had issues.

 

Just curious, does the car have high mileage?
Also, have you looked at the motor mounts to see if one or all have perished, show signs of leakage?
How do the axles look, do the CV boots show recent grease leakage via cracks in the boot(s)?

 

OK. So, after giving it a second look and sniff, It's actually redder than I initially thought. I was underground the first time, I had a flashlight on it and I guess it affected the color a bit. So it is more like a 2 from the scale above. What's surprising is that it looks and smells really clean. There's virtually no smell except a slightly sweet one and even if it's a little too honey colored for what I expected to see, It's still clear. It's not thick and sludgy and gross like It can sometimes be when it has been neglected.

 

150K.

I haven't looked at the motor or tranny mounts. I also haven't looked at anything suspension related.

I had the tires replaced about two weeks ago. I told them that it was pulling to the left and about the odd vibrating. I told them to check everything out underneath. They're a tire/brake/suspension shop that I've been going to forever. I came back and was told that the alignment was way off, that the camber was a bit off, but mine wasn't adjustable, and they felt it wasn't worth the cost of purchasing an adjustable one and that was all they could find.

It seems like a lot of our cars have the motor or sometimes the tranny mounts fail. Sometimes fail so badly that the piece is completely broken.

But I will check.

 

Your ATF sounds good then.

Now that you mention it, I do remember my auto transmission shaking between certain gears. When I finally pulled it out, the front mount was completely broken. Definitely give them a look. It shouldn't be too hard to replace them.

 

I've been busy and wanted to clean the engine bay before I get started to make this as easy as possible, being that I've never diagnosed an engine or tranny mount in any car and I wanted to make sure I can see everything clearly. But I did take a quick look. I noticed that the front and rear mounts do not have the bracket that sits above the mounts (in the TL's), I assume as insurance in case the mounts completely separate to keep the engine seated. So, I can see the mount from above clearly without that black bracket that usually sits above it. Does the CL not come with these brackets?

As far as the diagnosis process. I've seen/read different ways to do this. The visual inspection looks good. There isn't anything obvious as far as torn rubber. I've seen people put the car in reverse, have someone rev the rpm's to 1500, and I watch for excessive engine movement. Then repeat in drive. Some use the knock method, but their knock comes from the mount moving so far that it bumps into that black bracket above it, which makes a knocking noise. As far as the side mount. I don't know how to torque the engine left or right except by pushing it by hand. Haha. But if the black bracket is not above the motor mount, how far should the engine move before it becomes excessive?

I also failed to mention above that the car, between 40 and 60 mph) shakes, yes, but it also feels like it's hopping. Hopping very quickly. So it doesn't just shake, it feels like it's hopping. That would point to motor mounts, I assume. (Thanks Zeta & Fireball)

I was thinking of purchasing a vacuum hose pump tester or whatever.

And yet another OCD question: I used a degreaser in the enginebay and then used a pressure washer with soapy water to rinse, so it's squeaky clean. It occurred to me after that this would remove any oil that the mounts are leaking, and so it might not have been the best idea.

I hope to get to this project this weekend, but I have many, many other important matters on my plate at the moment.

 

You are thinking of the 3G TL, the 2G CL / TL do not have the engine mount stoppers.
3G TL:

2G CL / TL:

 

I'm glad we don't either. The newer motor mounts on the next Gen cars annoying. Why did Honda think it was a good idea to put the bolt side ways? That rear motor mount has the bolt right up against the fire wall. Can't see what you're doing, and barely any room to work with. Pain in the ass.

Remove the front driver side wheel and inspect the transmission mounts from there. All you'd have to do is throw a jack with a wood block on it, and slightly jack the transmission up a bit. I'd recommend disconnecting the front & rear motor mounts, but you might be able to get away without doing that. It was hard to tell if my transmission mounts were bad until I pulled my transmission, and saw the front mount was completely disconnected when it was hanging in the air lol.

 

I got you. If I have to replace one, I'm inclined to replace them all. We'll have to see.

 

Yeah, that 3G bracket is exactly what I was expecting to see.