Hello All

I just bought a pre-owned 2000 acura 3.2 TL on saturday. I was not aware of transmission issues TL faced for second generation.

While driving back, my car started jerking and D5 gear selector started flashing and TCS light came on.

I went to Transmission repair shop and they got the following code

40-01 tc/clutch system malfunction
46-01 clutch pressure malfunction

The shop was not able to explain in detail as their system was down and told me to come back in couple of days.

So, i just wanted some guidance from experienced members here as to what this means.

Does it mean transmission failure? What am i looking at? How much expense?

Thanks

 

Welcome to AcuraZine

Send me the VIN of your car via email to hondacuraplanet@aol.com . I'll send you the transmission bulletin and anything that applies to your car.....a good place to start.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but: It means you got hosed

2500 to rebuild your trans at a shop

buyer beware any used car- get it checked by a pro before purchase and do internet research on the car for things like this

Hope you got a great deal on the car!!
be aware the 105kmile service is probably due as well--1000-1500 dollars

 

Did you buy it from a dealer? I'd be back there in a second asking for a refund. Be nice about it.

 

If you just bought it, bring it back to the seller and have them fix it or give you some money back so that you can get the tranny fix. Or get your money back. The tranny isn't cheap, over $2k easily.

 

I showed my car to many auto transmission repairs.. and many of them said to rebuilt the transmission. One of them quoted 1700$ for the rebuilt and gave me a list of things that would be replaced. Here are things

Overhaul kit
Second Gear Seals/Steels (I didn't got what he said)
Third Gear Seals/Steels
Fourth Gear Seals/Steels
Transmission Internal Filter
Transmission External Filter
Torque Convertor
Acura Automatic Transmission Fluid
Labour Charges

All above for 1700$.. is it worth doing it?
Help me guyz..!!

 

thats sounds worth it to me . if your going to rebuild it

 

guessing this was a private sale with little test drive and as a result its always
Buyer Beware!!
No warranty no refunds no after sale discounts~ sorry folks

1700 is a great price on rebuild
Be aware it may go up as other parts are found worn to limits--they cant tell until its all apart- thats transmissions~

at least it will start your ownership with a fresh trans
give it a tune up and water pump/ timing belt when due at 105 and it will go anothor 100k miles no problem

you can also drop by the acura dealer Service MANAGER and tell them your story of woe.
they may be able to match a rebuilders price for acuras drop in unit- which comes with a better case and fewer problems

 

when picking a rebuild shop: ask exactly how many TL or CL trans they have done in the last year and does that employee still work there
Can you ask the tech a few basic questions
What do they use thats better than acura parts?

first time they do one-- it takes 2-3 attempts before getting it right

 

same problem with me man.. 6 months later, and im saving to rebuild right now. Mine went without any warning signs, because it ran so strong during its time. And i love the car now and don't want to give it up. Plus being on this site and looking at these guys car all the time, i can't leave it stock anymore hahah!!

 

Guys I had talk with the Auto repair place and they have given me 1700$ net worth for transmission rebuild with 2 year unlimited miles warranty..!! Is it worth to go after it?

 

That is a very good deal, just make sure that they won't jack the price up much after they open (tear down) your tranny, and tell you that it will cost you $2,500 because it needs lots of parts.Now you have no choice but to have them rebuild it, otherwise you will get a bill for the tranny removal and tear down for inspection for more than $600 and you get a box full of tranny parts.
BTW i do not see the linear (Pressure control) solenoids on the list which is $200 or more, they will have to replace them if the clutches inside all burnt up. http://yfrog.com/mgphoto0384j
No pressure switch. And many cases the 3rd clutch drum will also need to be replace because it is "FUBAR" if you know what it's mean.
http://yfrog.com/mvphoto0418j If they have to use a 20 ton press to take the 3rd gear off the drum, chances are the all the components in the drum is N/G
http://yfrog.com/fvphoto0422j
If you can get it rebuild for under $2k with that good warranty go for it.

 

if your n nyc let me know... i just bought my 99 tl with a blown tranny..975 for the rebuild with warranty

 

As of today, they have quoted a final price of $1700 including taxes and everything, basically out of door and $100 off as i have a coupon as i was referred by Econo lube as we got lube, oil, filter changed there. So final price will be $1600.

I asked about solenoid and he said its in good state so no need to replace.

He didn't mention about replacing 3rd clutch drum, i will ask him about it. Also will ask about pressure switch.

We also went to Acura dealer and he quoted $4000 plus tax to replace the transmission. We didn't see any point going there.

We are taking delivery of car tomorrow. Hope everything works out.

Yes it was indeed our bad for not checking all this before taking delivery and we were taken for a ride. It was from a private buyer and i am gonna ask him for some differential to be paid from $1600 bill. Will definitely ask for around $600 else will make sure no one buys from him. He told his father was a dealer.

I really appreciate your opinions guys. Will go a long way in dealing with the repair guys so as to not be cheated again.

I like this car and would want to use it for atleast 50k miles before selling it.

@Da New Slim2 - sorry, but i stay in Sacramento, California.

P.S: I missed the repair shops offer of a transmission replacement offer for $999 including everything. It ended 31st may.

 

after your new baby is back home- ck the Meets section
Sac ziners host a lot of events from weekend hang out a few hours and short group drives,, to bbq in the park meets

 

that sucks man I know how you feel id be crying lol

 

How can you get it so cheap ? Is that including r&r of the transmission too ?

 

Guys here is some good news.

The car is back home and is in great condition. The transmission rebuild looks like a success. Didn't face any problems for 75 miles that i drove today. The gearshifts are smooth and response is very good.

Indeed the repair shop has done good job. And its a 2 year unlimited warranty. Will be in better position to comment on its reliability after some months and miles of driving.

i appreciate members response here.

But they also told me to install front bottom engine mount as well as side mount. The mechanic showed me how on giving accelerator and taking it a higher rpm makes engine go up and down. He said replace it in order to avoid the damage to axles. A expense of around $200. Will be getting it done soon.

Sorry for long post. Just thought should share with you all.

Any TL owner, i would recommend Fulton Auto repair a.k.a Fulton Transmissions.

 

Wow I'm surprised at this shop repairing your transmission for so little, and to include such a warranty. It was good of them to point out the engine mounts but they should have asked to replace them while the transmission was out. When the trans is out it's easier to do. I hope you continue to have a problem free experience with your new transmission.

Enjoy your TL and welcome to the forums

 

+1

 

Thanks you megalodon and piggylover.

indeed i am surprised too. After reading so many troubles, i have my doubts. That's why early on, it may seem all rosy but the true test will come out after 3 months of driving.

well initial cost was $1800 but with coupon got it done for $1700. I persuade him to go down $100 more but he said then he will give only 3 months warranty. I thought i had rather spend 100 more and get 2 yr warranty rather than 3 months.

Thanks for the wishes.

 

its common for the front motor mount to be bad at trans time- thats when someone actually looks under the car~
Its much eaiser to replace when the trans is already removed- 15 minutes labor vs 2 hours or more shops charge normally
its about 1.5 hour diy
They should have seen that and called you for authorization- dont let then screw with you on install labor now- 120 for the front mount and half hour labor, 50 side mount an half hour labor
ck with our vendor dealers for really good price on those parts

the side mount (actually front of engine) goes after the front has been bad a while.
The car will be much nicer with new mounts..'that fluid inside front mount really works!

 

thanks 01tl4tl.

I will inquire about the front motor mount at other places. I am not a DIY guy and don't wanna play with the engine. So i had rather get it done outside.

Here they charge $95/hr labor charge, which i feel is very very high. So i am looking at around $270 including the mounts.

 

the shop screwed up- they should have seen the bad mount on trans removal and gotten your authorization to replace it then,, when its easy access

they didnt- but you should not bear the brunt of their mistake
A car is supposed to be returned fixed, or customer declined needed repairs'
Not--- on the test drive show you how bad it is!!!

In this case someone dropped the ball
BUT
By your numbers with parts at $270, thats 1 hour labor for both mounts- parts are about 120 front and 50 side
So thats actually cutting you a good deal- same as they would have charged if done with trans out,,, 1/2 hour each is fair

 

$95 is cheap per hour, dealers are getting 125 and small shops 80

Thats what it takes to keep the doors open

 

+1. They have to pay for their overhead and they have to make some money for themself.

 

Well, the area where this repair shop is located has plenty of other shops too. wherever i went, i saw labor ranging from $75 to $85. this was the only shop that charged $95.

Also i got the invoice. It says the break up of amount as follows.

Labor: $1390, Parts: $406. I have all the older parts. i inquired about the pressure switch and solenoid. The manager says its in good condition. So no need to change. Hope he observed it correctly and fine.

One question, after the rebuild, what precautions should i take?

I am not revving it hard, taking it slowly and steadily, using 91 octane gas, using hand brake every time i park the car. Any more suggestions and precaution that i should take?

As for repair shop not pointing out the engine mount, he showed us when we went to take the delivery that the mounts as a whole are new, but some parts of mounts are missing. Now I didn't observe this while giving it to them neither while buying it, so i am not sure if there is any foul play in this.

But i did get to learn from you guys a lot, so i will be more careful.

 

what??? parts of the mount are missing????--like the internal fluid and rubber part?
they are good or they have failed

A shop should ck those and the ones for the transmission
5 mounts in total

 

I don't know how they only charged you $406 in parts. The torque converter is close to $300. The kit, internal filter and external filter is over $200, i don't how how much for Acura fluid. They have to shortcut it some ways. Unless they do it at their cost, which is unlikely. But hey 2yrs of warranty for that price is excellent price.
You just drive it normal after rebuilt, doesn't need break in time like a new one when we buy a brand new car. You don't have to use e-brake if you park on a level surface, the parking mechanism in the trans will hold just fine.

 

It never hurts to program your brain to put the car in park and set park brake~
Do it all the time and you dont forget on a hill and stress the transmission

I suggest treating it like a new car since it should contain new clutches and other soft parts that need to wear into each other--much like new brakes and rotors come to fit flat against each other
Be nice to it 500 miles- no redline, no racing
500-1000 miles normal to aggressive driving to make sure all is doing well
test ss mode, and up to redline upshifts
If its going to have a problem it usually appears in that first 1000 miles

After that- sign up for a track day -high performance driving school
the TL has a lot of power and interesting handling quirks'
spend 200 bucks and take your car on a real race track with a Pro race driver as your coach- often riding shotgun to give you constant feedback and improvement each lap

 

all due respect to piggy and the dealerships who say just drive it
I have my own opinion on how to make parts last

 

1700 is a good deal, also might want to have them install a tranny cooler..couldn't hurt. also change out the mounts at the same time if needed. I also had my cv joints changed at the same time. Ask if they will take cash and not charge tax.

 

Hey nothing is wrong with that. It's just my way after i rebuilt them, i test drive them normal, some light throttle, some medium and some heavy throttle, check passing gear,make sure that there is no slipping at all, specially heavy throttle, where most problem happens. If some thing isn't right i rather be the one that experience it and fix it before give it to the customer, rather than give it to the customer and they bring it back and complain about it. I don't want them to come back and have problem in the next few days because i did a lousy road test. It's my reputation. As for the customer side, if something isn't right, he rather find it out before the warranty ended.

 

I am all for the tech doing a proper test drive- a customer should never have a failure do to lack of that~

after that- rather than encourage the customer to go abuse their 1/2 a new car, I would give them instructions--maybe they follow it and no racing yet~
certainly no track days!!

I suggest burn in new headlights with 100 hours use--it only takes 50,, but program them to drive with lights on and it becomes a safety habit!

 

How much did your tl cost.

 

How many miles do you now have since your transmission rebuild you mentioned and how is it now running? Thanks.