Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

I'm intimately familiar with the platform, having owned an 01 CL-P and currently owning an 03-CL-S6.

Found a 99 TL with 185k...but Honda dealer has done the headgaskets, Belt, Bump and EGR @ 180. New tires and brakes all around - and I can pick it up with a few more than minor dings in it for $2200. (less than what most of the kiddies want for riced out and beat down 15 year old civics)

It's the 4 speed AT - and I know of the woeful 5AT problems (though I never had any with my CL or MDX)

Anyhow - it's throwing a trans code, and definitely feels like its a little slippy engaging / harsh from 2nd to 3rd.

I'll talk clutches, flywheels, bearings and synchros all day with you - but I know crap about A/T.

Being a 4 speed A/T - and Hondas being notoriously interchangeable if you get the right electronic goodies - does anyone know if the Accord 4AT from 99-03 swaps in without too much pain.

It's looking like finding a needle in a haystack trying to track down a 99TL trans in good shape.

Also - Honda supposedly builds their A/T like a manual - in which case - I would think the Torque Converter would be all this thing would need - but again - I know NOTHING about A/T - though I'm comfortable popping the axles and dropping the trans to change it - or hopefully - just change out the Torque Converter?

I searched for about an hour this morning on here and didn't have much luck.

Fellow Honda/Acura enthusiats...your help is most appreciated.

Thanks!

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Nothing - no luck?

phee

iTrader: (5)

there is an exact thread like this, just use the search. i dontthink it would be an easy install. but anything is possible

Phrosttz0

why not have it rebuilt, ive heard of guys getting it done for under 1500 which isnt bad at all.. shit a tl for under 4gs can complain

ChrisQ1980

I doubt the Accord 4AT would work. It runs off of a different ECU/Harness. The only 2 feasable options are to replace it with a new/rebuilt TL 4AT, or find a used one online or at a wrecking yard.

Ohh, or you could do the TL/CL-S 6spd swap.

I would talk with the dealer about it, and see what they would charge you for the car with a replaced transmission. It's def on it's way out.

acitydweller

I was told by a japanese mechanic that the transmissions on these Acuras are fairly complicated. You should be weary of where you send them out for rebuilds and can probably only trust the dealer for these if any... This isnt a GM tranny that the corner mechanic can redo for $1200.

I concur with chrisq and inquire your options with the dealer before pulling the trigger. The deal is only as good as the reliability of the car. Any failing there can easily cost you double the cost of the car...

good luck

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

I purchased the car, which the motor purrs like a kitten. The EGR, Head gaskets, motor mounts, timing belt and water pump were all redone at 180k - and the car is at 187. Previous owner ran nothing but Mobil 1 - never pushed it too hard - no valve chatter or rough acceleration / missing / anything like that....

The transmission on the other hand....

If you leave it in automatic, the car engages harsh into first gear. You drive, if you don't lift the gas - it disengages the trans - kinda like shifting into neutral and staying on the gas. Then it engages HARD into the next gear after a second / 2 second slippage. It continues this with all the gears.

If you go into Manumatic - you can engage into 1st smoothly. Rev to 3500 - 4k shift and lift. Smoothly falls into 2nd gear back on throttle - repeat. You can drive the car in this fashion, however, it's a second / two seconds between shifts.

After clearing the ecu - it throws a code pretty quickly *but I haven't pulled it yet*. The TCS light comes on sometimes without pushing the TCS button.

It's smooth and unslipping when hard on the throttle and in gear - but shifts are ridiculous and FORGET downshifting.

From a stop, popping it into reverse gives the same behaviour. You shift and wait 1.5 - 2 seconds and clunk - reverse.

Any ideas guys and gals? I'm just hoping this is something stupid or simple - but given the mileage and tranny problem history on this car....

THANKS for any help!

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Also - Fluid levels are good. The fluid is very bright and clear - has a redish hue to it. It is supposedly new Honda ATF - but I don't know the color of it.

The fluid was done as a reaction to this issue being present. Fluid supposedly did not resolve - however, if it was the wrong fluid - and still is the wrong fluid.....

03aspec

the tranny is fubared guy... only thing to do now is either find a decent used one or get that one rebuilt. its your call now man.

6MTUA5

iTrader: (2)

It's definitely on its way out. It's going to cost more than the car for a new one .

phee

iTrader: (5)

better go back to that dealer and get a quote for a tranny replacement...

ChrisQ1980

We told you this BEFORE you purchased the car. lol These cars don't have "minor" problems with the tranny that can be fixed. They FAIL. The tranny lasted 182k which is impressive if it's the original, but now it's time to be replaced. Then you should have a like new car again with only basic maintence needing to be done.

03aspec

you know what really grinds my gears..i wonder why acura didnt offer the 6spd transmission in the 03 tls when it was offered in the 03 cls..like wtf?

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Only ended up paying 2k for the car from a private party - with all the 200k engine maintenance done and new tires. I'll just hunt down another trans I suppose.

Again this being the 99 with the 4 speed - not the newer 5 speed unit - I was hopeful.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

90 Day Warranty trans with 80k on the ticker - $700. Purchased.
Self Installation - one cold night on the garage floor.
Honda ATF-Z - $25.

Total Cost of TL - $2795 and a sore back. Not too shabby since they still NADA book for $5500+ in my area even with the high miles.

Might even be able to get something outta the core.

Bob_F

So did you buy the transmission already? 80,000 miles is quite a bit for a transmission with known reliability issues. While the 4 speeds are more reliable relative to the 5 speeds, they still have worse than average reliability.

Personally, I would pay more for a used transmission with lower mileage. Maybe a rebuilt transmission would be a better option?

In any case, best of luck with your TL.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

It's insane. The low mileage ones fetch $1200 +

The local dealership head mechanic is a friend of mine, he said don't even fool with rebuilding them or buying a rebuilt one. Get a lower mileage one.

The current trans didn't act up to 180k. If it gets 80k - I'm happy. Just hoping to get something nice enough to have some trade in value come summertime. If I spend 3000 on the car and can get 4500-5000 in trade out of it, I can deal with that.