Coopcar

Just rolled 15,500 miles in my 2003 TL-S. Had an appointment scheduled for this coming Wednesday to get oil change and transmission checked for recall.

Long story short, had oil changed at Jiffy Lube on Sunday (wasn't going to be able to keep appointment. The guy under the car hollers up, 'Transmission Flush recommended.' So, the manager asks how many miles on the car. I tell him 15,500. He rolls his eyes, and goes below the floor. Comes back and says, 'I didn't believe it when he said it, so I had a look for myself. Your transmission fluid is almost black. You shouldn't be due for a flush for 45 or 60,000 miles (I can't remember exactly).'

I explain the transmission recall, etc...he tells me I need to get the car into the dealership fairly soon.

Called dealership and they are going to look at it tomorrow. Problem is, I need it back tomorrow night, or a loaner because I have to head out of town on Wednesday. Dealership rep says, no problem, checking trans is about a 2 hour job, and can I drop off the car. I explain my needing my car, and he doesn't offer a loaner which kind of makes me mad, but oh well.

So, my question is, for those of you with transmission problems:

Have you had the black fluid?
Did they replace trans? or do the workaround?
How long did the service take?
What is the short/longterm damange if I don't get it in tomorrow?
Am I risking being stranded?
Should I just keep driving unti I am guaranteed a new trans?
Or, should I go in and demand a new trans?

Need some advice from those that have been through this. Thanks in advance.

Coopcar

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

fsttyms1

get it in and have them look at it. if they say it needs to be replaced and they want you to leave it there make sure they give you a loaner. if they say its ok to drive till it comes in i guess do it. how is the shift from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3? that is the biggest give away that its dieing. both of mine before they went felt like a slipping clutch (ever so slightly) as it shifted from 2 to 3.

Coopcar

both seem a bit jerky. I had it in once for an 'at speed idling issue', which they checked the trans for and apparently couldn't replicate.

I will get it in there tomorrow and see what they say. I never thought the trans issue would hit me...I have 15,500 miles since January 1, with 75% of those as highway miles. Go figure.

fsttyms1

bummer. bring it in and see what they say

cofidis2

I just got my 03 tls back today from the dealer for the trans modification. I made an appointment last week at Downey Acura in Cali and they said it would take about 3-4 hours. When i got there this afternoon they were backed up and said it would be ready in about 5-6 hours. I asked for a loaner car, and they gave me one without a fuss. Had a brand new TSX to run errands in this afternoon (it's an OK car, a bit overpriced for what you get though!) I'll take the TLs, tranny probs or not, anyday over the TSX.

Anyway Coopcar, The long and short is they should give you a loaner while they work on your car and it takes more than a couple hours. After the inspection (if the tranny doesn't need to be replaced) they do the modification/recall work and voila your done. Warranty still good till 100,000 miles, so drive it like you stole it, then sell it before you hit 100,000 miles... Oh yeah, my car is 2 yrs old and 17,000 miles and the tranny was fine on inspection. I'm not holding my breath on the tranny being fine forever.

Coopcar

It's the 'blaack fluid' after 15,500 miles that scares me. Not sure of the maintenance schedule, but I don't think a trans flush is recommended til 45-60,000 miles.

vinovelo

How black is "black"?

Is it black on the dipstick or when drained.

I replaced (double flushed) mine at 35K and it was a bit darker than the
new fluid on the stick but was dark red (not black) in the pan when I flushed.

At the time I thought a darkened (but not black) fluid was somewhat normal.

/Steve

J2004TL

i have a 04 tl 5At and i had it in the shop b-cuz it has a hard jerky shift and it happens around 15-20 mph. they say they dont feel it, so im not sure what to do.

Coopcar

I didn't actually see the fluid. the guy at the oil change shop said he e didn't believe the guy below when he said it needed to be flushed.

Now, i know what most are thinking...he didn't try to sell me a flush and fill. The guy said, 'At 15,500 miles, you need to get this thing to the shop.'

I had to cancel the appoinment today because they wouldn't drive me 12 miles back to work. Oh well. The guy at the dealership said it should be OK. Even if it blows, I am going to get a new one, so forget them and their 'patch' to fix the trans.

fla-tls

Coopcar, the same thing happened to mine. I checked it and is was black with less than 10,000 miles. That blackness is the clutch pack material being worn off because of the design/manufacturing defect described on NHTSA's website. The black stuff will eventually clog your hydraulic lines, and a fluid change won't help. I tried that on mine and it failed several weeks later. It first started as a delayed shift and clunk into reverse when cold, and progressed to fre-revving in between 2-3 shifts.

You will be due for a new transmission. Just wait till it goes.

Coopcar

Yeah,I figured the same thing. I still haven't taken it in. Must just wait til it craps out and get a new one. Problem is, I drive alot. almost 16,000 miles since December 29th, 2003...so, if I am far from home...I am screwed. Time will tell...

slvr shocker

I had my tranny replaced. I didnt notice any major problems, other than when I am initially speeding up, there might be a hiccup or two. Has anyone that got theirs as well.......has the dealer told you that they did something to the computer box and need to reset your keys?