For the last two days about one in four starts my transmission does not shift past third. If I pull over and restart the engine all is well.

I had the fluid replaced today and it still happened.

Seems to me if it were a mechanical issue it would always happen and not go away with a "reboot" so I am thinking it is a software or sensor issue.

Has anyone else see this behavior?

ok guys i'll take this one...

There is an ENTIRE section on this in a different part of the forum. I couldn't count the number of threads on this topic, so please use that helpful little search function at the top of the page.

And the short answer since I'm already here and ranting...your transmission has basically melted for lack of a more intelligent term and you need to get the whole thing replaced. And no, don't ask if there's a way around it because there's not. If your car is under warranty go to your dealer they'll replace it for basically nothing, check if your transmission falls under the recall and if all else fails start saving for a new transmission, factory will run you about 2,700 including installation.

And can a moderator please put this thread down...

Nice 18th post.

You are wrong.

If the transmission were as you say melted down, the issue would be permanent, there are no D4 or 5 flashing, no vsa, light, no cel.

I searched for sporadic issues and found nothing.

Mods please do not kill my thread.

Interesting, I never had that kind of issue before with any of my three transmissions.

I had it before where the transmission wouldn't engage into third, but that is kind of the opposite of what you are experiencing (that was a trans recall related issue, not lights ever showed up btw). I have to agree your issue does sound pretty unique, I don't remember reading up on someone having a similar situation, did you recently have a trans replaced?

The transmission was replaced in 2005. It has 100k on it. It shifts strong & smooth through all gears.

The issue has no lights and goes away with a restart.

The transmission shop that did the fluid change thinks it is a sensor. I am going back in the morning and they will scan for codes & look at the sensors.

I have to agree with you, sounds like a sensor-type issue.

yeah, definitely a sensor..

i would take it to a mom and pop transmission shop and ask them, acura will chop your head.

if it resets when you restart that means your computer is getting weird feedback from something.

I took it to a Mom & Pop today to replace the fluid. I called them when the issue still happened and he said sensor & bring it back.

Went back, no events since early yesterday, no codes. He is stumped. He suggested I drive around with my Actron running in auto record mode until it happens to see if there is a soft code.

We'll see what happens.

Check your speed sensor, & your VSA components. Also how is your battery & connections?

Battery is like new, connections clean. How do I check the speed sensor? VSA works (wish it were gone)

Does it run fine throught the RPM range for first through third gears?

Thats really weird that it goes away with a restart.

Yes, totally normal operation until it does not go to fourth. When it happens I become aware when the revs stay up because it has not gone past third.

It did not happen all day yesterday (with the code reader in auto record mode) 10-15 trips very irritating (in a good way) Maybe it "healed"? lol

The transmission guy asked if it starts in first when I stop and start again. I don't know because I have pulled over and restarted the car every time immediately. I will find out next time it happens.

if u put it in ss wil it up shift manually

Not when this is happening. Turn the car off, yes. 10 more starts today, no issues, no codes.

Getting boring waiting for the scanner to be ready to record.

Happened again. No codes soft or otherwise, damn. This time I did not shut down until I stopped and tried again. It shifts down to first and that is as high as it goes.

Restarted all well five restarts and trips from 3 to 40 miles no recurrence.

starting to sound like a short, or a bad ground maybe... i bet its something easy

Checked the battery terminals clean and tight. I turned the Unichip off to eliminate it from the picture. I doubt it is involved but have to touch all bases.

You didn't say you had the before? You may have a blown ECU.

Unichip off, no issues until I turned a corner with 3/4 throttle and all of the lights lit up and there was a decrease in power.

Unfortunately I did not have the scanner with me, I had to make a stop, when I started the car no lights.

Attached the scanner at home, NO CODES.

GRRRRRRRRRRR

Four days, no recurrence with UNICHIP off, I removed it today as clearly it was the problem.

Weird, I thought I updated the thread. The issue was the TPS. Bought from a member here a few months ago issue never happened again.

Who is this idiot, only 21 posts:

No clue, in his defense he did not argue when I pointed out he was wrong and only made three more posts, that was his 18th.

Glad you got it working man. That experience must have been frustrating.

For real, That's what I was thinking...

It really was. It was driving with the Actron on that finally solved it.

Glad its fixed, what is TPS = i am guessing throttle position sensor............... right
pls confirm.
I dont see how that is linked with the transmission gearing at a specific gear, but i am glad its over.

That is correct. Best I can figure. The tps was not accurately reporting the throttle state causing the computer for the transmission to freak out.

Of course it's a guess and based in no actual system knowledge.

Just as an fyi for anyone needing this Acura does not sell the tps they want you to buy the entire throttle body, if I recall correctly 265 from oemacura.com which was with a good discount. I got the tps for 50.00.