I have read numerous posts of slippage and abrupt downshifts, etc.
However mine seems like it just slips into neutral every once in a great while.

Usually in the 2-3 or 3-4 gear change. Not slipping but completely disengaged!
Until I let off completely on the throttle and then it shifts normally into the next
highest gear. If I continue to goose the throttle it simply revs the engine as if
it is neutral!

Happens about once a month and then is completely unreproducable!

Driving me nuts. I have never had this happen in sports mode, only automatic
D5 mode. No lights, nothing. It's as if I had bumped the shifter into neutral.

Anyone have this happen?

(I am assuming that it is an early sign of failure of couse....)


/Steve

 

 

thats tranny failure. my 2nd one did this.

 

How long before failure did this occur and with what frequency?

I've had it happen about 3 times over a two month period and each time
cannot reproduce it.

Does anyone know if there were error codes stored for these events
in the OBD-2 system?

Like I said, it's not like a partial slip it is more like being thown completely
into neutral (until I completely let off the throttle).

Thanks,

/Steve

 

i got around 1k miles out of the tranny once i noticed them slipping.

mine have averaged about every 46k for failures.
if teh computer sees a error and the check engine light has come on the computer will store a code for a certain period of time

 

Ok, now as of last night it is starting to become reproducable. I find that if I
back off on the throttle for 2-3 shifts it helps a lot but if I am accelerating it will
slip very badly.

So, it is finally toast. Time to call the dealer. I had hoped I would be spared
because I drive this car very easily 99% of the time (it's just my driving style
under normal conditions), hoever now I am a believer that it simply does not
matter how you handle these things they are just going to fail.

I wonder how long before a massive failure. I need to put about 150 miles
on it in the next day or two.

In my case no lights at all just slips.

/Steve

 

Unfortunately, yeah. It seems like it really doesn't matter how one drives his car. If it's going to fail, then it's going to fail.


Let's not wait around to find out, eh? Take it in and ask for a loaner.

 

it wont take long for it to go once its slipping regularly

 

YOU AIN'T KIDDING!!!!!!

Less than an hour ago I called Sunnyval Acura and talked to a service rep
describing the progression of symptoms. There was a bit of an edginess in his
voice as he said: "Can you get in here today?". I told him I needed it for a
few hundred miles on the week end and he repeated the same and said
don't worry, I'll get a loaner.

So, I headed over for a 6 mile drive to the dealer. For the first 3 miles all
was normal until BAM it downshifted on me into 2nd at about 40 mph!

 

Whew, caught it just in time.

Let us know what kind of a shitbox rental they put you in.

 

YOU AIN'T KIDDING!!!!!!

Less than an hour ago I called Sunnyval Acura and talked to a service rep
describing the progression of symptoms. There was a bit of an edginess in his
voice as he said: "Can you get in here today?". I told him I needed it for a
few hundred miles on the week end and he repeated the same and said
don't worry, I'll get a loaner.

So, I headed over for a 6 mile drive to the dealer. For the first 3 miles all
was normal until BAM it downshifted on me into 2nd at about 40 mph!

I had it happen again TWO BLOCKS from the dealer and the dashboard
li up:

- D5 flashing
- Check engine light ON
- TCS light ON

Tota failure. Sports shift number light out (dark), no shifting. Tranny
went into failure mode and I limped the last two blocks. I never would have
made my 15 mile commute home.

Dealer was very nice. No problems. Gave me a 04 MDX as a loaner
and said they would take the best of care of my sick TL.

One interesting thing he mentioned (dunno if it's true) is that they had all
tranny parts pulled as of lasty Feb and a new rev of the tranny has been
delivered. Hopefully there has been some further improvements in the
rebuilt units.

He was quite honest though and said they have seen some multiple failures
in years past.

So, now I join the dead tranny club......shit.

/Steve

 

Told You!

Im one of the foremost tranny experts here!

 

They told you there is a newer version of the tranny? Has anyone else heard this?

 

yea they (acura) told me that when my first one died

 

okay.

 

Thats funny, my third tranny is on its way out

 

I've had the same problem with my tranny since it got replaced. Whether its downshifting, or slippage, can't really say since I'm mechanically challenged. But what I can say is my car shudders whenever it happens, no significant drop in speed or anything nor does the rpm meter jump or drop. And of course, the dealers can't replicate the problem and nothing is showing on the computer.

Lately, not sure whether my eyes are going or not, whenever my car shudders as I'm cruising along, out of the corners of my eyes I though I saw one or some of the letters in "TRIP" on the odometer flicker...like maybe the 'R' was doing something funky. Is this some sort of valid error, or am I at the point where I am seeing things that would hopefully help me out with my recurring problem?

 

hey man at least you got an MDX for a loaner....those are sweet....my tl's at the dealer right now getting the tranny checked out and my loaner car is a KIA!!!

 

Yes, I'm having fun with the MDX. A bit too big, I'd prefer to buy the Lexus
SUV for style and size, but the MDX is very impressive. I'm amazed at how
well it rides and handles for such a large vehicle.

I do notice that the transmission behavior is vastly different than the TL
that I own. There is no two step engagement when shifting from park
and the shift points are way different. Shifts are very smooth and it free-wheels
on coasting ulike my TL which drags a little.

What REALLY bothers me is that the tranny might not be improved at all
for te TL based on all these multiple failures. It seems that improved clutch
pack materials alone should make the replacements last much longer.

I'd convert this thing to a manual if I could.

Has anyone had the replacement trannys hold up, or are we all doomed to
multiple failures?

/Steve

 

So let me get this straight? Even if the tranny hasn't completely gone out, they will still replace it? I have a 99 TL with 100,600 miles on it. I've noticed the tranny is starting to act funny. If I call my dealer, they'll take care of it??

 

Most likely goodwill from the dealer. However, from some members' suggestion if you complain enough, they will do it. Hope you luck.

 

Many thanks, bro.

 

if its not dead or dying they Wont replace it. the dealer has to find cause to replace it. if its just a gut feeling of it shifted bad once they arent going to do any thing

 

Ok, that's what I thought. Thanks for the response. Much appreciated.

 

hey i see you dropped of ur car where i got my first tranny replaced.
good customer service i agree. BUT their tranny only lasted me 6months/10k miles

 

Uuuuggh. I am sorry to hear that. When was that one installed?

I was told that last Feb all the tranny parts were called back and a new
set of parts were issued (improvements?).

Is the one in it now holding up?

/Steve

 

Just got it back. New tranny feels MUCH metter.

Things I have noticed in the 1st few days:

- No more annoying two step engagement.
1st tranny took 2+ seconds to engage from R to D5.
It seemed to engage and then engage again in a second.
This new one engages once and does so a bit more smoothly.

- Shifts seem a bit more smooth but at the same more
definitive. No more abrupt shifts when the tranny is cold.

I hope it hold up as I like the way that it feels right now.

Sunnyvale Acura bas been very good. Car returned
spotless with no scratches and the work looks to have been done well.
2nd time with a positive experience there.

Gave me a nice MDX as a loaner... a real treat.


If this things fails again not sure what to do. From what I can tell even
upgraded aftermarket units fail. What I was told from the service department:

- No they are not using MDX clutch packs in the TL. Probabaly would not help
as heat is the problem as opposed to the load bearing properties of the TL
clutch packs.

- There were changes to spacer surfaces.

- There were attempts to improve ATF delivery to hot spots to cool it down.

- There were changes to the PCM to improve shift timming in an attempt to
lower heat

- New parts were issued in Feb 05. Not enough history yet to determine if
changes are working.

Sunnnyvale Acura here in the Bay Area has been very good so far and they
have been very up front about the fact that there have been multiple failures
for some people. Their parting words were that if it acts up at all do not hesitate
to bring it back in for analysys. In particular they said to watch out for a change
in shifting or abrupt engagements such as changing into reverse. They said if
that happens or a slip occurs bring it in. Don't wait for warning lights.

What can I do but give it a try. I love driving this car. If I can get the
replacement tranny to hold up I'll keep it for a good long time.

I really have to wonder about that oil jet recall. Several months after it was
done....failure. Before that it was fine. Looking at the location of the jet
and how it delivered fluid I wonder it it was a feeble attempt to cool the
hotspot that was discovered.



/Steve

 

that is exactly what i found out this past week from 2 sources.

and the oil jet kit is spraying directly on the 2nd gear shaft, it is unrelated to the 3rd gear problem, that problem lies with in a clutch drum (where all teh heat is generated)

 

Doesn't help that I only use 2nd and 3rd gears repeatedly with extreme abuse on the track.

Mine's been engaging more and more slowly as of late. I think it's nearing its time.

 

 

true or false, the dealer reprograms the car computer for less hp to help with the tranny problem.

 

its funny you say that my transmission locked up on me and my rim and tire got messed up nice car we drive :

 

False. some claimed its less but they did nothing to the power of it. all they did was remap the shifting to generate less durring shifts (ie making them quicker in 3rd)

 

Funny thing is you would think that would make 2-3 shifts more abrupt and
with my newly replaced unit it seems smooth as ever. Maybe there is just
enough dampening going on or something...

/Steve