Ratchet

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Recently on startup after the car has been parked overnight. I drive about a block or so and make a turn. Part way into the turn when I step on the gas the engine just revs as if the tranny was in neutral. I wait a few seconds and it goes again with no issues. The first time I thought it had just slipped into neutral, but it has happen twice more. I am going to try giving it a few extra minutes to warm up after extended parking periods to see if it makes a difference as the car runs normal after the initial incident each time. There were no abnormal indicators lite on in the dash. Everything felt and sounded normal.

02 tls with 76,000 km - oiljet installed at 56,000 km

03CoupeV6

Yes, that's slippage. transmission.

Warming it up further won't do anything. The transmission fluid will be cold as long as the car doesn't move, even if it idles for an hour. But this is a dying transmission - not cold weather, cold fluid, or anything else.

Jerry944T

I agree, the tranny is about to go. In my experience once the first sign(s) appear it is a short time before the car becomes inoperable.

Lyle2002

My transmission doesn't go as far as feeling like it is running in neutral but the car does seem to hiccup now and then (the acceleration isn't completly smooth starting off) but there is power the whole time. Does that sound like transmission slippage to those who are more familar with it than me or could it be the injectors? Did yours do this before it got where it is now Ratchet?

03CoupeV6

My car did what your's was doing, Lyle.

I took it for inspection (it was still driving fine, just having some hiccups) and they inspected it and when I got the invoice from the dealer it said:

"Transmission replaced due to internal failure."

Lyle2002

Thanks for the info. I guess I should take it in before it goes on me at some random time. I was hesitant to get it looked at because it seems like the replacement transmissions are having more problems than the originals. I have a 2002 TL-P with 54K miles; oil jet installed last year under first owner (I guess that is about the mileage based on many of the threads I have read). Sounds like mine will go sooner or later though no matter what so may as well be on my terms.

03CoupeV6

I have a 2002 TL-P with 49,000. Transmission was replaced at 47000, oil jet kit installed at 35000.

Mine would shudder when shifting 1->2 and 2->3.

Lyle2002

How has the new one been working out? The shuddering is probably the best way to describe it, mine is doing exactly that. It seems to be completely random so hopefully it won't be difficult getting the dealership to replace the transmission. It sounds like your dealership checked it out thoroughly as opposed to just driving it so I'll probably be fine as long as they do the same.

03CoupeV6

Well when mine went in they found it had both front and side motor mounts broken and they replaced them (warranty). The shudder continued (and not every time, sorta random) and so they replaced the transmission AND PCM.

The shifts come sooner than they used to at WOT, and for the first few days I was sure they deducted 30hp or so. After getting used to the new feel of the transmission (shifts are undetectable, sort of like my 05 AV6 with drive-by-wire) I don't think the car is any slower. It feels new again.

ratpack

It might be. I have had 3 transmissions. On my most recent one. I did not drive it for 4 days soon after it was replaced. And it did the same thing, slipped and then caught.

I took it in and they could not replicate. I have put 12K miles on it now and no more slip.

But considering the mileage..... it very well could be.

fla-tls

Lyle, that could be any number of things. Don't blame the tranny yet.

My tranny (the 3rd) also had a shudder on the 1->2 shift from the time I picked it up. I did the change to Amsoil and after running it for a while it's smooth as silk.

I would advise anyone who is switching to amsoil to not just do a drain and fill. My shifts were affected (were quite harder) with only one drain/fill of amsoil.

My tranny now has actually had 4 drain/fills (one 12k ago, the rest 2k ago) and it's running like new (or better). Fluid is perfectly pink.

I'm not convinced that my dealer is actually using Honda fluid. Shuddering on shifts after a rebuild is usually a sign of the wrong fluid...

fsttyms1

And for the people here what is the specific amsoil tranny fluid you used

vanirl

thats interesting..I thought the tranny was past repair when you start feeling the shudder. Im not gonna take any chances with mine though, Im taking it to the dealer to get it serviced. Why not? Its FREE!!!

fla-tls

The synthetic ATF. -don't think they make anything else that's compatible...

JetJock

Before I sold my 2002 TLS, I only had 6000 miles on the car and the tranny fluid was brown. I haver had any problems but I dumped the car and purchased a '04 6mt before the tranny died. It was a tranny just waiting to fail. The new owner is still running the orignal tranny, but I'm sure it's going to eventually fail. I'm just glad he's got the car now and it's not my problem anymore.

Lyle2002

Interesting, I was thinking of replacing the transmission fluid soon (only thing left to change since I bought the car 2 months ago). I also live in Orlando, which dealer do you usually go to fla-tls?

Lyle2002

Just changed the fluid today (3 times drain and fill with Honda fluid). I have only driven it the few minute intervals between the changes, but it already feels much smoother driving and with regards to engaging the shifter. The trans better last me a while with my $50 bucks of Honda fluid used in total So far so good.

fla-tls

Sorry to be late answering your question...

I do it myself (with regard to transmission fluid).

Lyle2002

Thanks, yeah I changed it myself today. Very easy DIY but took me a while with doing 3 drain and fills. I was wondering more for later on if I have to take it in for transmission inspection. Seems to have smoothed it completely out with the new fluid. The first drain was completely black and a ton of stuff on the magnet drain plug. 54K miles and I don't believe it was changed ever based on the condition of the fluid and the drain plug looked untouched. It was easy to remove both bolts using a breaker bar and 12" extension as has been noted. The right tools make all the difference!

fla-tls

Sorry - but that's a very bad sign. Thank God for warranties!

Lyle2002

I need to take it in and get it checked probably, of course now there aren't any signs of shudder, slippage or indicator lights. Should I take it in just for inspection even with no noticeable signs when driving it?

fla-tls

No. They would just send you away.

When I first changed mine it looked the same as yours. It failed soon after I changed it. Your tranny will probably fail prior to the warranty end (15k more miles).

03CoupeV6

Lots of times changing fluid in a car that has never had it changed is worse for it than not changing it. Your transmission will probably soon fail, but you're a 2002 - you've got a few years left on warranty and 46,000 more miles.

vinovelo

That is EXACTLY what happened to mine at 50k miles. First noticed it
exiting a highway ramp at a bridge. Left hand turn slightly uphill over
the bridge. 2-3 weeks of inreproducable intermittent 2nd-3rd gear
slips.

Once it became consistent it was a matter of about 50 miles till total
system failure. Abrupt shift to 2nd gear from 5th and dashboard lit up
all lights. Ver scary. I was actually on the wat to the dealer when it
failed.

Better make an appointment ASAP, especially when it slips consistenrly.

/Steve

Lyle2002

I am taking it in Sat for inspection. The symptons are subtle, but I am taking it on a 1500 mile trip soon and it won't hurt to have it looked at. I realize I won't be in 3rd gear for much of it. Talking to one of my coworkers who just had hers replaced it sounds like her service rep is really good, so it is worth the time for him to look at it probably just to be on the safe side.

fsttyms1

The only problem is that it doesnt matter what gear your in much, once teh 3rd gear packs are worn they loose their ability to function properly. Once teh slipping inside gets bad enough they just let go (and for alot of people here -including 3 of mine hwy 1 city ,it happens on the hwy and the direct result is it going to the next gear that will hold it and thats 2nd

Lyle2002

Thanks for the info, that just confirms I should be taking it in. Mine hasn't got to the point where slippage happens consistently, but why wait. At least the dealers are well aware of the problem so you shouldn't have to prove it is having problems 100% of the time. Won't they inspect the clutch plate and doesn't that show early detection?

fsttyms1

They cant inspect the clutch packs with out taking the tranny out of the car ripping the tranny completly apart.
About all you can do is bring it up to the dealer that you have been noticing slipping between shifts and hope they see it on their test of it and decide to have it replaced. If not your stuck with it till it gets worse

Pearlwhite 02TL-S

Besides the tranny though, our cars (TLS) are mechanically great... right? I bought this car based on the HONDA durability record, which is impressive in most of their vehicles. bottom line is I really want this car to last 200K miles.

fsttyms1

Yes the TL is a great car other than the tranny. Mine is nearing 200k and its just as good as the day i bought it (mechanically speaking)

Pearlwhite 02TL-S

AWSOME

Lyle2002

That is what I thought, but I could have sworn I read something in the recall notice where they mentioned checking it before installing the oil jet. Makes sense though, my mistake.

fsttyms1

They do inspect eh 2nd gear shaft for discoloration caused by heat buildup which is what the oiljet is for. If they see color discoloration they will replace the tranny. Thats about the only inspection they can do

fla-tls

That's exactly right, which is why fluid condition (and magnet contents) is important when diagnosing Hondas.

My best advise - if you have black/burnt fluid, take it to the dealer and have them check it out. Black/burnt fluid is a sign of clutch slippage and should be grounds for a removal (certainly if they also find codes as well - remember some codes don't light the check engine light until they happen several times).

There's nothing that can burn fluid except for slippage or a loss of cooling (or a 600 degree design defect - but that's not normal - go figure...)

03CoupeV6

My TL's fluid was burnt when it was replaced. But he just changed his so he may have to wait now.

Lyle2002

Sorry to bump a very old thread, but it took me two years to put on over 20K miles since the first trans fluid change at 52K miles. I actually sold the car a couple months ago but the original trans still shifted beautifully at 71K miles. I miss the TL, even though I got a 10K mile 04 Corvette to replace it.

I'll probably have another TL at some point in the future.

01tl4tl

hope you told the new ower about the extended warranty- the trans will probably go soon!

Lyle2002

Course, I actually gave him the notification I was sent. It shifted smooth as silk still. I was paranoid when I first bought it after reading these threads, but after doing the change I couldn't believe how well it shifted. Still had two years and 38K miles on warranty when I sold it.

01tl4tl

Good job!- most 2nd or 3rd owners have no idea about the warranty- some people even sell their TL thinking the trans is going- and not know about the freebie

Lyle2002

Yeah, I probably should have kept it longer but I always wanted a Corvette. My TL was a great car, I kept it spotless and so to the first owner. Oh well, might pick up a 3rd Gen TL-S at some point in the future.

This community was a great help, I'll probably be back.