TheCool 89

My 03 tl-s shudder at about 30mph from accelerating from a stop just want to see what ideas come to me thanks

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to AZine.

Do you have a question, or did you just want to share your story?

Iggy

drive it in D4 and see if it still happens. let us know

TheCool 89

A question new to this so sorry if that was unclear but wanted to hear from any one

TheCool 89

Iggy if it doesn't do it D4 what could be the issue?

frankjnjr

More info is good. Mileage, most recent trans fluid drain and refill etc. Experiencing a "shudder" during up-shift, usually to third or fourth gear, in our cars, generally is not a good sign. (My "SHUDDER" issue: At 222,896 miles, 8/23/2016, my 2003 TLS experienced a "shudder" during up-shift into third gear while driving uphill. Review of similar problems on this, and other sites, revealed the recommendation of adding NAPA product, (Instant shudder fix, part # 765-2969, cost: $6.75). I added this product, ( A 2 oz. tube of licquid), which immediately corrected the "shudder". Concerned about using an additive, not recommended by Acura, I sent an oil sample to Blackstone Labs, for analysis, advising Blackstone Labs of the addition of the "instant shudder fix product". Blackstone Labs reported back that the NAPA product I used, is nothing more than a Friction Modifier, and will not do any harm to my transmission. Although no further "Shudder" issue surfaced after adding the "instant shudder fix" product, i was still concerned about having "it" in my transmission. At 229,759 miles, on 4/26/2017, I performed the Fourth of Four drain and refills, to insure that the transmission contained only Honda fluid, and no additional additive. Currently at 231,049 miles, and have experienced no further issues. Transmission shifts flawlessly in both conventional drive, and sport mode. KOW

TheCool 89

I got my tl-s in Feb of this year and it's 150,660 but if i accelerate with the pedal firm but not full throttle it doesn't do it just like if I'm in the city or urban areas where I have to let off or stop again on the pedal but I'll look up the Napa part thanks

Iggy

Exactly the same as I was experiencing. Without knowing the exact mechanics of it I believe D4 completely disables torque converter lockup. What you are feeling is torque converter shudder.
I just drove it in D4 for town driving and D5 for the highway until I got sick of it and did the AV6 install.

TheCool 89

What's av6 install? But it doesn't do it in D4 so thanks

Iggy

do a Acurazine site search for AV6.

frankjnjr

Hey Iggy, approximately how long did you drive your car, after the shudder issue began, and did the transmission exhibit any other symptoms?

Iggy

I drove it like that for almost a year and was religious about it. D4 anytime below 60mph then D5 once I was cruising on the highway. Any time you feel a shudder in the transmission it means there is a clutch not locking itself to the plate next to it therfore speeding up the wear process and throwing more clutch material into the system.

My trans had over 170k and still otherwise shifted fine but it did whine a lot which annoyed me. In the end, the combination of the whine and shudder and knowing I had an eventual time bomb ticking away I finally decided to spend the $1,100 on a used Accord transmission that only had 50k. Been happier than a clam in mud since.

frankjnjr

Thank for the response Iggy. Note: After 4 four drain and refills, I'm confident, all of the NAPA shudder fix additive I used, has been flushed out. Currently, no shudder exists, and my transmission operates as it should. I do have an AV6 on stand-by, just in case! Like you said, "eventual time bomb"

Iggy

Whatcha waiting for? Get 'er done

You'll be amazed at the new life you can bring to the old girl

frankjnjr

Hey Iggy, I know, and I'm Really Anxious to do it. But, I'm also curious to see how, when, and with which symptoms, this "demon" transmissions will self destruct. Since my car has the "RMK" Factory Rebuild Transmission, (Don't know when or at which mileage, it was installed), currently at 231K + miles, it operates as it should, I would like to know, how long it will last. I don"t Beat the Snot out of my car, yet i don't drive it like my age might suggest, either. I infrequently use the Sport Mode feature, perhaps, 2 or 3 times, per 1,000 miles, but do engage VTEC regularly, in all gears, at least 5 or 6 times, per 1,000 miles. (Love how this car performs @ 200K plus) I rarely "Red Line" it, normally 6K rpm., Max. The only symptom experienced, to date, has been a "Mild" shudder, during up-shift into 4th.. gear, on a 25% uphill grade. NAPA's Instant Shudder Fix, which is nothing more than a "Friction Modifier" immediately corrected that issue. Shortly after installing the " Shudder Fix" product, i examined all screens, (no contamination in any), and performed a 4X4 drain and refill, always with DW1, and the transmission has been fine since. Changed "what appeared to be the original trans external filter @ 208k., no serious contamination evident, and again @ 229K., at which time, the inside of the filter looked New.