Johnny2003TL-S

My 2003 tl-s transmission went bad 11 months ago. I spent $3400 having it rebuilt. It is under warranty. I was pulling around a corner today at 15mph and BOOM! Something in the tranny snapped big time. My girlfriend thought we seriously hit something. The guy on the side of the road said, "Your transmission just blew, I heard it!" Car would not move, shifter won't move.

I think I have an ATRA warranty. I'm not sure I want to take it back to the same shop, although they have a very good reputation. The reason is that they had the car for over a week and it did not move on their lot in that time. I gave them a little push and they banged it out the next day by 12pm. $3400 for 4-6 hours??? I don't trust they made the modifications they told me they would make or that they took any time to do it right. It is a small shop and tons of cars move through it. However, my tow driver today said he used to tow cars for them and they are by far the best shop and the most trustworthy in the area.

QUESTIONS:
I treat the car well. Fluid was crystal clean and full, one month ago when I checked. Should I take it back to the same place (I might not have a choice)? And any clue on what snapped inside there? Also, should the warranty start fresh again after it is fixed?

Johnny2003TL-S

I want another proper rebuild, not for them to go in there and change out 1 part.

Nicks2001tl

Generally speaking you should have received a 6 month to 1 year on a rebuit transmission.

A good transmission shop will answer your questions and for $3600 give you the gold treatment.

victus1

Looks like you have one more month left in your warranty. Unfortunately, all they are required to do is fix it so that it works for one more month.

3.2TLc

Hey Johnny2003TL-S, you should take the car back to the shop along with the warranty and tell them that you want the car properly repaired ASAP !!!!!

See what they have to say. Ya really don't have many choices as time is running out.

Johnny2003TL-S

The Warranty is 3 years 50,000 miles. It's a private transmission place with a good reputation. I want a full rebuild and a new warranty and I want it now, not a week from now. I'm not pleased and have I have very easy access to lawyers. Of course I'm going to be nice at first. I seriously do not think they rebuilt the transmission. That is why I want the ATRA warranty honored at another shop.

Nicks2001tl

3 years 50,000 is why you paid what you did.

A good attorney will do what you can do on your own in this circumstance.

Give us a heads up when your situation is resolved...

Johnny2003TL-S

3 Years, 100K. I just went down to the car and checked the slip. They should fix it up. This is a major inconvenience right now. Never again with one of these repair nightmare cars. I need transportation not $7000 in repairs in 15 months since I've owned it. 80k Acura needs that much work? Ridiculous.

MilwaukeeDave

iTrader: (3)

You mentioned modifications. What do you mean by that?? Don't rebuild these transmissions because you're just putting a band aid on a bullet wound. The design is flawed and no rebuild can fix that.

Johnny2003TL-S

I was very frustrated and I am sorry for being a bit mad at the car. I will not consider a rebuild as a fix, thanks to you. It looks like I might be lucky. It's just the axle and it's cheap to fix. I should have it tomorrow. I am very happy. But I wonder should I do the other? Thank you to all.

Edward'TLS

Johnny, does your car have the revised PCM ?

According to Acura, most (but not all) TL's also need to have the PCM replaced, when the crippled car is in the dealership for the factory-rebuilt tranny swap jobs.

The revised PCM has updated firmware to further protect the factory-rebuilt trannies from causing damage in certain operating scenarios, such as reducing engine power during high-rpm tranny gear shifts.

Also, the factory-rebuilt trannies are using a different tranny block which contains more oil passageways to dissipate heat.

If outside tranny shops only rebuild the internals and only replace the damaged clutch packs, but reuse the existing tranny block; then this "partially rebuilt" tranny will fail the exact same way again and again after accumulated enough mileage just like the original one.

Badruce

Hmmm, does the 4 speed tranny in the 99TL also have this tranny problem?

3.2TLc

The '99 TL's had a much more durable 4 speed AT.
It was the newer design 5 speed AT's that replaced it in the 2000 and up models which are problematic.

Skirmich

To OP wow WOW you paid +3K for a Rebuild??? OMG DUDE... You can get a Type-S for that money in some areas..

I blame your rebuild shop... Its impossible they did a good job when I paid 1300 bucks for my shoddy rebuild in a small shop and it has over 95K on the clock almost 4 years ago...

Dont take it on the same place its obvious they charge for their reputation instead of a good job.

Also if you can get money back at least 1500 bucks just Get an ACCORD V6 Tranny! Dont rebuild anymore if you can.

3.2TLc

So Johnny2003TL-S, the axle is what snapped and the tranny is ok ?
Might as well replace the other side for good luck, imo !!!!