rsmith64stang

i have just purchased a 02 acura TL. It has 177k miles on it. Purchased from a girl who just graduated from U of L. She indicated the issues it has, have been there for the 2 years she's had it. It seems to run fine, just a bit of a hard shift first to second. Also the 1st gear dash indicator lamp is always on. I believe i have a short in the Neutral Safety Switch. I plan on cleaning the linear solenoid as i have learned on this web site. Thanks for the info, hopefully i can return the favor in the near future. P.S. VIN ends in 008378.

Skirmich

1st to second hard shift can also mean a bad Engine Mount.. So it would be a nice idea to test your mounts too.. How is the ATF Life?

ErickUa5

Dont replace the neutral safety switch ! The problem is in the shifter console, more than likely there was coffee spilled in it and made the switch get stuck.
I used some wd-40 to unstick it but you will have to take it apart to get to it.

Ill assume you have a check engine light on if not a ghost code that will show up on a obdII scanner.

Nicks2001tl

Welcome rsmith64stang!


First thing to do is to check the motor mounts. The front is always suspect on these cars. Also visually check the side mount. If the side mount is blown than the front probably is also.


Start there first.

3.2TLc

^^^ Yeah, agree with all of the above previous suggestions.

Do the simple and known common stuff first. Check the tranny's fluid level and condition.
Ya may even wanna perform a "Drain & Fill" of the tranny using Honda DW1 fluid. Consider replacing the inline spin-on ATF filter at the same time. Great info on this stuff in the "DIY" sticky !!!

rsmith64stang

skirmich, atf changed last year by valvoline change , tranny level ok, but not sure if they changed filter(s), or what type. i'm not suspecting engine mount yet, since it shifts better as it warms up.
ErickUa5, i removed center console, and was very sticky, you are telling me there are switches there too, for the indicator lamps inside dash? On a different post i read the neutral switch may have a short, but i will clean any switch you suggest... the seat heater switches were sticky, and cleaned them already... thx, Ron

3.2TLc

Yeah, the gear selector mechanism and linkages will determine how things appear on the dash.
Clean and lube !!! Then check back with the results.

PS: Front and passenger side mounts are a common weak point on our TL's.

Skirmich

I would strongly suggest you to avoid using Universal ATFs..
Go back to Honda DW-1 ATF with a 3x3 so you can be sure the ATF isn't the problem.

3.2TLc

^^^ Yeppur, our TL's trannys are a bit finicky. Treat 'em to the good stuff.....Honda DW1.

rsmith64stang

hopefully with a VIN in the 8000+ range, it's built after Nov, so i dont have to replace trans.

3.2TLc

Any 2nd Gen ('00>'03)TL with the 5 speed AT and even some of the earlier model years of the 3rd Gen TL's are affected by the weak problematic tranny design.....regardless of the VIN serial # sequence. They all have potential issues of being a time bomb dealing with the tranny. Some TL's have held up well, it's roulette.

Check with Acura client services or your local dealership, and have the VIN# run to see if the recalls were all performed. Some tranny's had an oil jet kit installed and others were replaced by the company under the recall.

Nicks2001tl

Also register your car with myacura.com. It has valuable information about your car and a free downloadable owners manual.

01tl4tl

when you had the center console apart you may have seen a plastic plate at the bottom of everything? Underneath that- on its bottom side are the 3 micro switches that run the trans shifting in SS (probably other jobs too, Im no expert)

liquid that gets on all the parts on top - seems to wrap around and get those switches too
CRC electrical contact cleaner is my preferred and wd will work too

01tl4tl

register as owner 1 800 382 2238 x5 gets a human, have VIN in hand
ask if all recalls are done?
and are we part of the new Honda airbag recall? do they know yet?

We had our own a few years ago for inflator but the news announcement I read the other day said Honda motor co (and many others) from 2000-2002 with brand xxx airbag
800 number is the recall center for informing owner and need a current address

also www.owners.acura.com (may take you to myacura.com)
register by VIN, ck recalls, store radio security codes and lots of good tips there, self maintenance log etc. Download owner operator book free, tips like seat heat are in that

01tl4tl

if you got a warranty replaced trans in 2005- its probably the new case design with actual oil flow to 3rd gear clutches! and oil jet for 2nd gear moved internal
those are better than the original trans case with recall installed external oil jet kit- that thing occupying the atf filler hole on top of trans

Blue paint on trans bolt heads is the tell for warranty unit

the original court case VINs mean nothing in the real world, problem not fixed then- just a Limit number to settle the court case

rsmith64stang

Thanks!
Other than the transmission issues. What other top 3 items are real 'issues' ... I'd like to be proactive and keep on top of these real boogers.

rsmith64stang

I may just buy another transmission from the local junkyard and rebuild it. with updates etc... and if and when mine fails, install it.

01tl4tl

or grab a used accord/odyssey trans and drop in as is
the TL case has weak oil flow to 3rd gear clutchpack, like it sits in a bumpout by itself, away from all the oiling action! so heat is always an issue and early wear

the improved `post 2005` case supplied in warranty replacement units has better oil passages right to the area, but still some issue
the other trans are different inside~

top TL items- egr system inside manifold clogs, easy diy
front motor mount breaks, causes mystery vacuum leak and engine miss, then breaks passenger side mount
Needs new correct ngk iridium or platinum spark plugs, the 8 dollar each ones
yes it matters

Other than that flush the brake fluid and ps fluid (use HONDA ps fluid, any dot3/4 brake fluid), throw a can of Seafoam in half a tank of gas, a few weeks later throw a can in tank at just below half
That's real tune up in a can stuff, cleans vital organs, can also be used in oil just before change, makes a huge difference in restoring oil pressure and flow

01tl4tl

of course the `every 105kmiles` timing belt/ water pump job is a top 3

3.2TLc

Why buy another POS tranny and waste time rebuilding it.....
when ya can bolt in a problem solver "AV6" donor tranny for less effort and money.

rsmith64stang

thanks for the feedback 01tl4tl !!!
also- - "3.2Tlc" : what specifically is a AV6 donor tranny? is it a model of acura trans? and what years would work. the TCM is cool with it?

3.2TLc

"AV6" donor tranny is from the '06>'07 Honda Accord V-6 models.

It's an improved newer design of our TL's 5 speed AT which were flawed from day one. The "AV6" is a direct bolt-in replacement for our old ailing original problematic tranny's. It'll be the least expensive and most durable option in the long run.....bringing years more of use to our TL's for less than $2000 installed.

rsmith64stang

is the TCM ok and connects the same, i assume?
and are there any solenoids needing changed or swapped...?

3.2TLc

For more detailed info on the "AV6" .....check out this thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/faq-06-07-av6-transmission-swap-905115/