I’ve had an intermittent issue on the RDX for several years. Took to the dealer but as its not generating a code and because it's intermittent, no diagnosis. Likewise, I’ve had several local mechanics examine – best they could do is another transmission flush to no avail.

Here’s the problem – on occasion, the car will hesitate to shift up (primarily) or down (occasionally). This doesn’t happen when I initially start the car but can happen soon (15 minutes) after or long after (driving home from work). It will eventually shift after running at 4-5000 RPM for a period (15-20 seconds) of time but might repeat the process throughout the gear exchange. Jamming the accelerator doesn’t force it to shift nor does it shift using the ‘selectronic’ (quasi-manual) function with the shifting paddles.

Based on the boards, there seem to be two directions that I can go. On the one hand, it could be either a bad transmission shift solenoid(s) or transmission control module (TCM) that would need to be replaced. The typical symptoms for either of these problems fit my situation perfectively. However, I’ve also seen reference to a well-known(?) Acura RDX transmission shudder that’s a software issue, where the dealer would need to update.

Board regulars – any insight on what the consensus diagnosis would be here? Given the lack of code and intermittent nature of the problem, I’m probably going to need to proactively order the repair and hope that I guessed at the right issue.

 

How many miles on the car and has the trans fluid been changed regularly?

 

Approximately 135k miles and the issue firs appeared around 65k. I've changed the transmission fluid three times with no apparent impact on the issue -- its intermittent so hard to say for sure but usually have another episode shortly. Also, they tend to come in fits & waves -- frequent for a week then nothing for two months.

 

When you put the trans in Sport mode, and are unable to shift using the paddles, does the gear indicator in the dash not change either or do the numbers change but the physical shift doesn't happen?

 

You mention knowing about the software update, but not if you've done it on this vehicle -- although I don't think it would resolve the problem you're having.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
"The best lack all conviction, while the worst/are full of passionate intensity." -- William Butler Yeats

 

In terms of the shift indicator, the specific gear number displays on the screen when I have this issue and the car is in its standard automatic mode (normally, the shift indicator only appears in shiftronic). This might suggested that this is an electronic (vs. physical) issue.

When I try to use the shiftronic or sport mode to manually shift the car, the paddles have no impact – I can shift up or down but nothing happens. The shift indicator will display the gear but that’s only because of the reason that I noted above.

 

Sounds like something electrical/electronic. Like you, I suspect a faulty shift solenoid, but it could be a number of things. Maybe try taking it to a different dealer if the one you took it to wasn't able to diagnose.

 

Hi! I am having the same problem, did you happen to get a clear diagnosis?? Since it does not pop up on the dash as a code??? I’d hate to do a complete transmission replacement if it doesn’t need it. Thanks!!!

 

Having the same issue. So far every post I have read regarding this issue, no one posts a resolution. I started another thread here with a video of the issue....https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-...m_content=post