The following story is true. I'm not sure why I'm telling you, other than the fact that no one else in my life -- other than you guys -- understands the situation of being a fairly new and completely infatuated 03 TL S owner.

I bought the "Silver Bullet" used through a car broker. It had 95,000 miles on it but looked like it had 24,000. Amazing shape. First time I was ever IN an Acura was when I picked it up. I quite literally got into it after already owning it.

Took it to a mechanic I've used in the past (but not my regular mechanic) to have it thoroughly checked out, and it was in beautiful shape. Engine diagnostic threw a code P1739 related to the transmission. I call the original owner's dealer (they left their sticker in the windshield after the last oil change) and was told by the service department that the tranny was replaced in 8/05 and that the code was most likely "an old code stuck in the computer." Sort of like a piece of popcorn stuck in a back tooth. Adding to their conviction was the fact that the CEL was not lit. They said to take it to the closest dealer, but if there was no driving problem, there was probably no problem.

I takes it over to the local Acura dealer, where the service department is staffed by a group of imbeciles who make the Three Stooges look like master mechanics. I won't bore you with the details, but at the end of all the hi-jinx, they said there was nothing wrong, and have a nice day.

Just took it this morning to my regular mechanic for a LOF, and yesterday the check engine light had come on. It threw two codes. An M.A.P. (I have no idea what any of this is, by the way, I'm a shrink, not a mechanic) and, drum roll please, P1739, related to the third clutch/transmission.

So I tells my regular mechanic about all of the above, and he says that something smells like caca, because if they had checked the code at the dealer and it was old, they should have cleared it. And if it came back, it's an issue, especially since the CEL was on, although that could be from the M.A.P. code.

So, he resets the codes, and we'll see what happens. I'm not concerned about the tranny, it's under warranty. And I'm not concerned about the car, because it's running as smooth as papa's old brandy.

What I'm concerned about is why my longtime mechanic, who is great but works on all different kinds of cars, seems to know more about the issue than the chuckleheads at the local Acura dealer (where I have not and will not return) who can't seem to find their asses with both hands.

Anyway, I'm wondering if you've had a similar experience ... I have the codes documented on the invoice from the mechanic so if they come back, I can just take it to Acura and have them check it out. It just blows my mind ...

 

the cel doesnt have to be on to show a code, and i would have asked if they (acura) had tried to reset the ecu to clear the codes. If they did and its still showing id say there is a conflict somewhere that the ecu is detecting

 

hmm not too sure....... but sounds weird....
Funny though... seems like most Honda/Acura dealerships have the same knuckleheads workin for them at every store....i took my car to dealership some time ago and the "Master mechanics" couldnt figure out whats with my car after 3 trips to the shop... ..So i do a little research and guess what?- there were 2 or 3(cant remember)factory recalls on my car regarding the troubles to my car.....IDIOTS!!!Recalls fixed,Problem solved...........DDEEEEE DE DDDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

hope my tranny is still good....
just got that same code on my car just a few weeks ago....
1999 tl with 106,000miles

 

Thanks for that info. I'll have my mechanic check for the codes again shortly and then take it to the dealer if the tranny code still pops up.

 

That would be the tell tale is if they reset it and cleared it tested it and nothing showed up, but after some time it reappeared

 

I had bad expieriences with the local dealer here too. Thier mechanics actually broke a few things on my car so yeah I would not trust them to change my wind shield wipers. Have you checked to make sure your car is covered by the extended warranty?

 

It is still covered, so I'm not really concerned about that. If there's a problem it will most likely resurface fairly soon, according to my mechanic, and then I'll just take it to a different dealer.

 

You're almost at 100,000 miles, it won't be covered for too much longer...I hope you can get it solved before your warranty is up.

 

Mine is covered by the extension due to the class action settlement, so it's covered for a little bit longer than that, but thanks for the note!