Been lurking Here for a while and have gotten lots of good info from other members. My sons 99 3.2tl just started these issues. If I put the gear selector in d4 the car tries to take off from dead stop in a higher gear. I'm not sure if its 2-3 or 4 but if you pull the selector down to 2 or 1 it takes off in 1st but does not shift to second when shifted manually but shifts hard into 3 or 4 when shifter in moved up to d3. I took the car to a trans shop and his odb only gave a p0700 code. I am going to another shop tomorrow. I have read lot about cleaning linear solenoid and pressure switches so I took those apart tonight and screens in linear were perfectly clean. Fluid level is right on full and fluid looks and smells fine (confirmed by reputable trans shop). Anyone have similar issues and can offer some advice. One more thing. The bolts on the linear sol were painted blue along with several other bolts but not the bolts to the engine. I've read that this possibly indicates replacement.
Thanks
2wheel

 

4 speeds are usually pretty reliable
How many miles on the current fill of ATF? is it using Honda DW-1 fluid?
average tech doesn't know Hondas special smell and coloring
Do you ever change the ATF?

blue paint on bolt heads of things attached to trans and the main bolts securing trans to engine = warranty replacement unit from acura
Odd for that on a 4 speed, must have had an early failure or other problem
the big warranty extension is for the 5 speeds, many 00-03 carry those blue bolts

 

atf level is ckd per owner book spec for temp of fluid = cold or warm,
and is BETWEEN the 2 dots- not at either one

If a shop added fluid thinking it was low that can mess you up, now being too high!
If said shop added dextron 3 instead of Honda dw1- that's the death nail for our trans

 

a 3 ounce sample of the atf sent to blackstone labs with 20 dollars will get a mass spectrograph reading and human interpretation of materials in the fluid.
If excess clutch particulate,, or brass from bearing wearout- it will show up and a determination of trans fate can be narrowed down

 

I took the tl to the trans shop today to get codes. Detected the "A " shift solenoid malfunction. They are going to run diagnostics (check wires /connections) tomorrow and replace the solenoid if needed. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

reminder- tell them use ONLY HONDA DW-1 atf
its probably still on the old spec zr1, that's no longer made
so a complete 3qts x3 times= gravity drain and refill method is in order
you can diy, its very similar to engine oil change

avoid any pressure or alleged vac operated type atf fluid changes- they don't have the right fluid for us, and will kill the trans for other reasons too

 

I picked up the TL from shop and it had a bad electrical plug to the shift solenoid. Replaced the plug and all is good. Shifts great and a functions now operational. They didn't add any fluid at the shop but I am planning a fluid change in the near future.

 

that's great news about connector! we should all look and clean wiring up
CRC to the rescue!

Our ground wire system deserves inspection - cleaning too