Edward'TLS

Is there any way of returning the crippled car ? And stay away from used 2G TL's and CL's.

Replacing with a junkyard tranny is like playing Russian roulette. You never how long that junkyard tranny is gonna hold up. 1 week ? 1 month ? 1 year ? 5 years ? Unless that tranny is the latest rebuild revision from the factory, which has all the required fixes.

pickler

replace with honda oddesy tranny. really transmision is the only faulty part for this car. and its a good thing to know the problems of a car when you buy it rather than finding out later.

01tl4tl

pickler,,piggy,, or other trans swap guru

do you have the `what year fits` specs for the oddy trans? thanks

01tl4tl

transmission, and should have come with legend calipers stock--
are the two main failures of the car

BillThyCat

We double checked again today, no blue bolts on the transmission, so it's either original or replaced outside the dealer.

I took it by the transmission shop, before we even left the parking lot he had identified a bearing going bad in the transmission based on a very gentle whine that I thought was normal, that has been making the noise since the test drive before I bought it.... Something for me to remember in the future.

He agrees 100% that the transmission is dying, told the dealer that. The dealer has found a used transmission in TX for $800ish with 109,000 miles on it, says it's fresh, they have been driving it around the scrap yard, so it's not been sitting. His mechanic said he would install it for $300, so $1,100 total. He then wrote me a check for $550 with my name on it. So I can do whatever I want now, I'm not locked into them conspiring to screw me, so he turned out to be a better guy then I thought. I realize it's not much money, but then again it's better than nothing.

Given my options, and I spoke with the transmission shop, they will not rebuild it, period. They don't want to be responsible for it. They will guarantee it's installed correctly, but provide no other warranty other than standing behind that it's installed right.

What do you guys know about these guys. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-01...ht_2162wt_1165

I have emailed back and forth with them, they sound legit, but only as much as you can tell over the phone. $800ish for a junkyard transmission or $1395 for a rebuilt one with 2 year warranty. They said they use Raybestos GBX clutch plates, and said they have been very happy with them, are they comparable to the Kevlar plates, they said they would install whatever I asked for, but would charge the difference.

I also have my mechanic buddy researching other used transmissions to just to get all of my options in front of me before I make any decisions.

Anyone know any other shops that sell rebuilt transmissions that would either accept mine as a core trade-in, or rebuild mine if I send it to them? That aren't crazy priced, but are known to be reliable by members on here? As I said earlier, I am ready to spend money to get it done right, just not crazy numbers.

Thanks,

BTC

01tl4tl

you just got screwed
what happened to finding out your rights?
used trans with 109 is ripe for failure

BillThyCat

I haven't cashed the check yet, I left a couple voice mails with the consumer protection agency at the state early this morning, haven't heard anything back yet. I will wait on cashing the check until I hear back from them. I talked to a couple people, but they both sent me to the one girl who they said would be able to help me, but kept getting voice mails.

Are any of the vendors on here able to sell the reman transmissions at a decent rate? After talking to a couple transmission shops in Des Moines and Iowa City they said they have had several customers order transmissions from similar vendors to the one I linked earlier, and have had issues. I am willing to cough up the dough for a transmission I can have some faith in. I think I read somewhere on here $1800ish for an OEM reman. Does that sound about right? Or was the $1800 the cost to rebuild an existing tran. Nobody in Des Moines or Iowa City would attempt to rebuild for under $2500. So hoping to just buy one and pay someone local to install since both of those cities are 100+ miles away.

Thanks,

BTC

Edward'TLS

BillThyCat, rebuilt tranny is only part of the fixes. If your TL's VIN falls within a certain range, the PCM will have to be replaced as well. Do a search for those VIN's. Some members posted them here back a while ago.

If the PCM program hasn't been updated, even factory rebuilt tranny will die the same way after some time.

pickler

either oddessy or recent TL transmissions or nothing. Do not buy any other tranny. If all fails get it rebuilt at a reputable transmission shop for less than 1500.

BillThyCat

Every junk yard I talked to today told me that they didn't show any cross-reference with any other year TL or Odyssey, they told me that only a 2000 would fit a 2000. I was pretty sure what I read on here was that 2000-2003 were all the same, and never did find out what year Odyssey's would fit.

Any chance you can PM me some reputable shops that sell rebuilts since there doesn't appear to be any within driving distance of me. What is the PCM? Is that similar to the ECM? Is it costly for the reprogramming?

I would really like to keep this car for awhile, I'm not the kind of person who car hops, my last 2 cars I had for 7-10 years each. I average 12-15k miles a year, so not a heavy driver. Hoping with proper maintenance to get a lot out of this car.

Thanks again guys, you are all extremely helpful to those of us who aren't mechanically inclined.

I own an 82 Yamaha XJ650 and have been teaching myself to do basic maintenance on it, the forums from XJBikes have been as helpful as you guys. I may start trying to learn some of the simple stuff on my Acura the same way, start slow, go more advanced over time.

Thanks,

BTC

pickler

that's BS. 2000-2003 TLs have the same tranny. i cannot help you, i do not have the necessary experience and don't want to cause further troubles. There are lots of helpful people here that can help you with that. I have seen so many complaints about the 3.2 tl transmission and it makes me feel sorry for them. it must be a real pain in the butt. i do feel that honda screwed over a lot of its customers by not honoring the extended 7 years warranty where it claimed the vin wasnt part of recall. Also not sure where you are from but i can only recommend shops in toronto where i live.

i must say i do feel that this purchase was a mistake and that you have very few options and bad ones at that. you could either rebuild it or have the transmission swapped. That might work for a year or two but it will eventually die again. Your other choice is to get rid of it at very low price and buy a different car like the 2003 accord.

BillThyCat

I did some searching on the VIN's, and apparently all 2000-2002 need the upgrade, and then the vin's are used for the 2003's, the first batch needed it, the later batches had the upgrade. Does that sound right?

BTC

Edward'TLS

If you do need the upgraded PCM, bear in mind that it is not a cheap item from the dealerships.

01tl4tl

thats incorrect info on the pcm replacement vins,,it is NOT all 00-03!!
Someone is feeding you total bs
use our search for oddessy trans to get that info

in the States its going to cost 1800 (lowest reported on here) to 2500 (average reported here) I have seen even higher on here!
PCM Power Control Module runs ~900 retail price!! iirc,,even if its $400,, its a lot
My 01 did NOT require one at its trans change time

Acura had a `Goodwill` program that covered the trans on Vins past the settlement number
Sure, you had to know about it-- but thats on the consumer to be educated

billy: what year again??
finding pre-built TL trans to exchange for,,except from acuras system- are few and far between
Look in your phone book and interent search
but chances are better of finding a local shop-*with experience on these trans*
who will quote 2500 and be close to that as a real total

Until the trans is out of the car and torn down to the last bolts, clean and measure a number of the parts to determine if in spec to re-use etc.
those are going to affect the price

iirc the book (depending on which book) gives 4 to 6 hours to remove and install a trans,
another 10 hours or more for the teardown and rebuild of the unit itself
Figure the shop hourly rates these days 80--100$ an hour or more, and the price makes sense
the rebuild kit basics $350,,better clutches add 100-200? new selenoids,,new torque convertor (mandatory)

01tl4tl

to compare to the bike for you:
TL also has wet clutch type system, stacked disc of friction disc and steel plate disc operating in fluid and using said fluid as its coolant agent

when the friction material wears down and flakes off disc(s), it gets into the fluid system
On the TL it gets into the torque convertor, clogs it

clutch slips on accelleration as it tries to grip= but not enough friction material...
the TL has that type of setup on each gearset shaft,,so it may effect different gears.
the bike has 1 set used by the trans for every gear

If the bike is low on oil you will burn up clutches from excess heat
the TL has weak oil flow to that area for 2nd and 3rd gear = heat = early wearout

BillThyCat

It's a 2000, I guess I misread the info I found last night about the vins. Maybe it was in reference to something else. Might have been something with the recall.

What are the odds of being able to use a junkyard PCM? Pending it's from the correct year? Is the updated version the same part # as the original?

Also, what about these guys. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-01...ht_2162wt_1165 + $260 round trip shipping.

Is there any chance that they are legit? Because their price is super low.

Thanks again guys.

BTC

mikee46

Sorry about off topic but is this 3.5L odyssey trans will fit 2000TL?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Newly...ht_1581wt_1136

Thank you and sorry about jacking. =)

seeya1

Haha I thought I was the only one.I have a 99 TL with 183,000 miles, original trans. and I've been shifting manually for 70,000+ miles.

BillThyCat

Well, I got my car back. Seems to drive much better. No slipping, no more faint whine in 1st and 2nd, I really hope this one lasts much longer than the 2 year warranty, but we'll see. Since it's all brand new, with brand new Honda fluid, I will be sure to religiously change the fluid at least every 30k, and keep an eye on the solenoids for crud, etc.

For those that didn't see my posts in other threads, I did get the Willow Creek ebay special for $1395 + $260 shipping (round trip for core). This is far less than what anyone else would even rebuild my existing transmission for (In Iowa at least). This has kevlar plates a better TC, and a 2 year/unlimited mile warranty.

If you don't see anything further posted from me on this thread that means I have had no problems. I will post any issues I have with it on this thread.

BTC

fsttyms1

Forgot i had this cutaway of the Trans.

Shows the location of 3rd gear clutch packs

BillThyCat

Nice picture. That really makes me glad I didn't try rebuilding it myself, lol.

BTC

fsttyms1

Its not hard, but there are a few special tools needed to do it unless you are crafty and make your own. Its a 3 shaft design, much like a manual.