zac

Yea, in regards to the original post, I havent tried anything else before this honda ATF but it did its job so its got my vote.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

dont forget to replace the pressure switches if you want to improve shift quality as said by stonedCL. I just replaced my 3rd gear pressure switch so i'll let you guys know how its driving. My 2-3 shift was jerky and I had occasional flare on the 3-4 shift

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

A pic of where the switch(s) are located would be great. And how much are the seitches. I'm at work and don't have time to go to the online acura parts store

zac

From stonedcl's thread

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

I know you guys are talking 2G but for an 08 3G I keep getting mixed info about the ATF. Some forums said every 30k but the dealer says a service light will come on before 100k & i just think thats too long to wait. I do allot of stop & go driving in Chicago traffic & as a realtor. Any pointers?

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

Ppl that decide to keep the car for a long time, do it about every 20k. Which seems about right, stop and go kills the trans faster

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

...& this applies to 3Gs right? I heard the trans changed in 07. I'm at 35k & I think I'm going to do it now. Thanks!

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

Yup

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

you just basically take the splash guard off the driver side (not the fender liner but the one that goes across the bottom of the bumper) and the switches are staring at you behind the driver's side wheel. The lower one, closer to the wheel is the 3rd gear switch while the higher one is 4th gear switch. I havent driven the car since I changed it so I cant report on the difference yet. When you take the switches out, there is some tranny fluid that comes out but not a lot, maybe a few ounces. The cost is about 50 bucks a switch.

russianDude

I think changing transmission filter won't do anything to help your transmission. When it gets clogged its usually after the fact of when clutch pack start to come apart and the metal shavings can clog up the filter. I agree that clogged filter can accelerate the failure due to the restricted flow of fluid, BUT, it will not save your transmission... It might give you 2-3 month of extra life, but its on its way out. I would not waste any money on any of the woo do crap of installing coolers, changing filters, or changing fluid every 7K miles. Just follow simple steps:
1) change fluid every 3 year/30 miles
2) Be easy on tranmsission
3) avoid excessive shifting 2-3 and 3-2.


If it does not help, then it does not help, and there is nothing you can do about it.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

as for the pressure switches... they get gummed up over time and that's how they begin to fail.... if u remove them and clean them out with sensor safe break cleaner... that will fix it 90% of the time.

that's what my guy did when i got my trans rebuilt and everything is fine. he said he never replaced the pressure switches, cause they basicaly never FAIL... they just become less sensitive due to HORRIBLE fluid gum building up inside on the switch... clean it and the switch is basically new.

nice to hear it made a noticeable difference on ur ride zac

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

wow I think I'm definitely gonna try a DIY on the trans fluid drain & refill...the dealer just quoted me $105! One guys says do it every 15-20k and another dude last week said a service light comes on at about 100k. I'm at 39k so I think its time, allot of the first few miles I put on the car were highway but I've been doing allot of stop & go in wonderful Chicago traffic lately.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

15-20k for a 3G TL tranny is a bit too much, heck I do my tranny every 30k. you should at least exceed that, they pretty much solved the tranny problems for your year.


okay guys, update on the pressure switch swap. shifts are slightly smoother but the hard shift hasnt gone away completely. so while it works, you be the judge if its worth the 50 dollars for parts. labor is as easy as changing the oil though.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

lol that's why i said clean them, and do the fluid and filter

03TLSinCO

Recently and suddenly started having tranny problems. Slipped and banged into gear while on a highway exit ramp and then again later that eve going up a hill at 75. 3rd gear seems to be the issue. No CEL at the time. Friday night tranny slipped, got a CEL along with other lights and went into limp mode. Got the CEL read and it's a P0780. Seems to point to a electrical/solenoid issue. Anyone run across this? What are my chances that the solenoid clean/replace will fix this?

BTW, the car has 129K on it and has had the recal performed (before I got the car with 29K on it).

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

FYI

i have an MDX in the family and it was slipping in gear on the highway.

I did a 3x3 on the car and problems literally went away. So if you have not attempted the trans fluid change and ATF filter i'd recommend you try it. it's worth a try i'd say if your fluid isn't pristeen at the moment

Ogolden1

Hey, can one of you point out where the trans filter is located on the schematic previously posted? Thanks!

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

it doesnt show but if u stand on the side of the drivers side fender and look down at the intake. it will be right below the intake by the frame.

03TLSinCO

Brought the car into my local Acura dealer today. They claim the tranny needs a complete overhaul and recommended Acura's re-manufactured unit w/3 yr/36k mile warranty for $4300 installed . Also offered a 10% discount. Waiting to hear if Acura will do anything.

03TLSinCO

No love from Acura. They refuse to offer anything. At least my local dealer stepped up somewhat. As much as I like the cars, this is the last Acura/Honda product I will own. How they can engineer a car that costs nearly $40k when new and have transmission failures such as these in incomprehensible to me. I can buy a $15k Kia with a transmission that lasts longer.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

i got mine rebuilt for 1900 Canadian Cash... so it's not that bad man

ThegreatGATHby

So it was time for a tranny fluid change [35k since last] and I drained what was some very black fluid. No metal on the magnetic drain plug - good. But after filling up new problems.
The only symptom initially is excessive flare on 2-3 upshift. This gets me thinking that the 3rd gear pressure switch needs to be replaced or have the tube cleaned out.
No time to work on it for a few days.
Now it is hit or miss whether or not it will even shift into 3rd from 2nd or 4th. Sometimes the 3rd gear clutch never engages, but sometimes it does with only the excessive flare. I bought a new pressure switch today and some Z1 atf [previously used mobile1 full-syn]. Hopefully get time to change it out Friday as I have to remove the battery.
I tend to think that [from the trouble shooting in the manual] that if it were any other part failing there would be symptoms with other gears.

Discuss:

ThegreatGATHby

So today there were problems with other gears...

On the way to work, all of a sudden there was no gear engagement regardless of shifter position. It is now in a shop waiting for diagnostics to come back. I should get a call later today with bad news/bad news.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

yea man I'd have to say u got a clogged switch or line going to the switch is clogged and therefore there is no fluid movement.

u don't live in canada do u?

ThegreatGATHby

Nope, Texas. Talked with the shop on Friday, and they said the fluid was way burned [<150 miles on the new fluid], and the PCM tossed out every code in the book. Should get some quotes back today on replacement options.

01RedCLS

So if I have the oil jet instead of just the bolt, I unbolt the oil jet, pull straight up to remove, and then place the funnel there?

Just want to be sure...

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

YEP... i got the jet kit on mine..

and so does my family 02 MDX.

just remove that and then replace the exact amount of fluid you removed.

I emptied min in a jug... then put a line of tape exactly where the fluid level was so i was 100% sure to put in the exact same amount.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

in and out should be quite close to 3 qts btw. So you could dump 2.5qts in and use the dipstick from there.