Timski

Hey everybody. I have read countless threads on just about everything for the 2nd gen TL and thought I would post to see if I can learn anything new about these trans that I don't already know. Hopefully the 3 or 4 main ziners will chime in......or anyone that has more info.

I have a 2003 TLS with VIN 86,846. So, as far as I know it is above the 2003 VIN 19,XXX warranty recall for transmissions.

I have 126,315 on the clock and just did a 1X3 ATF drain. It appears the trans is original. Fluid was completely gray but did not smell burnt at all and I have had zero trans issues. Last 3 qt drain at 106k.

I guess kinda just for fun I have been keeping my eye open for a '06-'07 Accord trans to roll into a junkyard so I can be ready to go if a failure hits and also just to have a project. Well, at least in the Chicago area in junkyards I have not seen that late of an Accord roll in in the past 6 months. Sure I can pay $800 or more for one that a yard pulled off and are storing on a shelf but I want to grab one off a car as it hits the junkyard. Why? The places I go only charge $125 and a $40 core for all transmission. If you can get a car that was in accident then you have a better chance that it didn't end up in the yard "yet" for the trans.

So since the Accords or Ody trans don't seem to be plentiful in the junkyard lots I grabbed what I think is a post 2005 TL trans. The trans has the ATF stamped on the head, many bolt heads painted blue, no 2nd gear jet kit, and a RHM rebuild sticker on it.

I know it's a slight gamble but I grabbed a trans for basically $125 and I only did it cuz I like to work on my own cars. Key things were car was hit on hood and windshield smashed so I am assuming the car drove to the junkyard without trans issues. The ATF dipstick has red fluid and wasn't burnt. The car has 228,434 miles on it and I have no idea when the trans was rebuilt or replaced. The good news is when the junkyard set the trans down in the bed my truck and tipped it on its side - the fluid that spilled out was very red. The trans drain plug still had the usual gray crap on it though. I couldn't check for trans codes cuz they remove the battery. This TL had only been in the yard for 2 days when I grabbed this back-up trans.

My question:
I have seen other TL posts where the larger trans bolts on the bottom and where it mounts to the engine were painted blue but in my case for the trans I picked up......the shift solenoid bolts and like a lot of sensors had a bunch of other similar bolts on the trans had blue paint on them. Is this a Quality check or a rebuilt unit (even though I realize it has a RHM rebuild sticker)
Is this a post 2005 rebuild? Again, no oil jet kit installed and has the ATF stamped filler bolt and a RHM rebuild sticker from Acura.

I did a VIN check on Acura's site and it says the warranty recall is applicable but is still "open". All other recalls "fixed".

I plan to clean the exterior of the spare trans and clean the solenoids and screens and replace the spin on external filter and just have the spare ready to go if needed since it took me about 5 weeks to spot this one in the junkyard. I didn't want to have a trans crap out on me and then be waiting for a TL to hit the junkyard. The best I can find is a spare trans off the junkyard shelf for $750 and I am not paying that for a known POS. Ha.

Any new info would be appreciated or advice on trans subjects I didn't cover here.

I will send a photo of the trans today or tomorrow.

01tl4tl

OPEN on that particular item only means it was in the covered vins for the extended warranty
or the fact that it went in for the recall and got a free rebuilt trans then due to the specific heat damage to 2nd gear
Dealer can run that VIN and tell you what and when of the car

the numerous blue painted bolt heads holding things onto the trans and some of the main bolts trans to eng connection are blue- not every one gets painted-- enough to know its a warranty rebuilt unit at a glance from above

its a post feb 2005 unit based on info provided
Get a fresh clean inside rebuilt torque convertor for 100 bucks and drop that thing in!

Timski

Thanks 01tl4tl

So I tracked down the dealership where the trans was replaced under warranty. Was replaced in 2006 at 51,000 miles - hence the RHM sticker and blue bolts. 160k later and the car ended up in the junk yard - as far as I can tell from the records ending in 2012. Anyway the fluid looked great and wasn't changed at the dealership at least after 2006 So I beleive the trans is working but no way to guess how much life is left on it.

3.2TLc

Continue the good PM on your present TL's tranny. Does it have the "oil jet" installed at recall ?
Check your local Acura dealership for more info based on your VIN#.

As far as the "RHM" reconditioned tranny ya just bought......may very well be a viable spare back-up, especially if you're able to "DIY" it's installation should your TL's original tranny decide to crap out. The only real concern would be the 160k miles of usage......but at the price, it's a steal and may buy ya some peace of mind just sitting there on the side waiting.

Timski

No my 2003 TL is VIN 86,XXX so it was well after the temporary oil jet fix they used on the pre 2003 VIN 19,XXX and below cars.

Timski

And the junk yard trans was a 2006 model without the oil jet.

Timski

Pics of the junk yard trans. Little crusty.

3.2TLc

Appears to be a great deal at $125. Clean everything up, replace the filter, check & clean the solenoid's screens and wiring connectors, install a new torque converter, buy a case of DW1 fluid.

Play the lottery !!! Ya got spare, so the original won't die now. Ha, hah.

bk85

I was unaware that trannys later than 2003 would bolt up to the Gen 2 TLs.

Does anyone know just what later years will bolt up and how new they have to be before the problems of the trans were overcome?

BK85

Timski

bk85,
Best and quick answer is to use an '06-'07 from a Accord. Great write-up for it exists on this site. Verified to work with small modificaitons. Some other model trans will work but the '06-'07 seems to be the best. There are quite a few threads on this topic.

01tl4tl

bk85, see post #3. the OP meant the trans he bought at junkyard--- he traced the history by the actual cars VIN, with acura showing it was a warranty replacement done in 2006 at ~50kmiles on that car and trans now has 110kmiles of use on it
So its a direct gen2 TL trans

Not, bought a gen3 trans and going for it!

TJP_AccordV6

Mod Edit.

ALL WTB and For Sale items belong in the Black Market.

https://acurazine.com/forums/black-market-8/

bk85

Yes I've read most of the AV6 posts. I just misread your post and thought you had yanked the junkyard tranny from a 3rd gen.

BK85

bk85

I don't see any WTB or For Sale items here. Just people giving or looking for Tech. info.

BK85

fsttyms1

Did you click the link and go to car parts for sale?

bk85

Didn't the OP already purchase the used tranny and is just looking for tech info. and opinions on it?

If so, why would this thread be better on the Black list as the post with the link you mentioned suggested? The OP has nothing to sell or buy.