My first post on this website but I've been on here for awhile now looking at other posts and you guys are really helpful so I figured what better place to ask.

I have a 03 TL type S with some transmission problems I've been having for the entire time I've had the car. I bought the car 16 months ago and its my first car so I didn't know what to expect. A few days after buying the car I start to get problems with the transmission and eventually it started slipping all together. I took it to where I bought it from and they were able to fix it for the time being. The car was still shaky when driving around the city but the way I learned to avoid the car shaking and stuttering was to switch it into D4 if im doing anything below 60mph and move it to D5 if I'm going to do anything higher. Since then I've learned a lot about cars and have worked on this car a lot. I change the trans fluid with Honda atf myself whenever I change the oil (about every 4000 mile) and I have taken off the linear solenoids and the A and B TCC solenoid and cleaned them. All has been "okay" with the car for the past 16 months and it has treated me well and I treat it well. Up until this pass week. I was stopping at the bank and as I was pulling off I shifted the car from Park to D4 very fast by accident and the car started to slip again. I pulled the warning "!" inside the triangle, the check engine, and the VSA light and the car was stuttering like crazy. I pulled over and reset the ECU by holding the gas pedal down with in ignition and it was good enough to get me home. I've been resetting the ECU for the past few days before I head out to work or school and the car has been "okay" and the lights have gone out by themselves but I still feel something is not right in acceleration or downshifting. Earlier today while driving uphill when I stepped on the gas moderately hard the "!" light started blinking but never fully came on.

My questions are,
#1 is there anything else I can do to save this car without putting in a whole new trans or is this the end of the line.
#2 if this is the end of the line which trans should I put inside the car. I know I could probably find another 2G TL trans to put in but I'll likely run into the same problem because these transmissions are just defective. I also dont know if putting a trans from an 06 Accord is alright because that trans isnt built for the power of the TLS engine.
#3 I also have the option of buying a 08 TLS for about 9k with 130k miles but I do not know if transmissions are also a major problem on those cars I figure this forum would be able to tell me better than anyone else.

I know I have a lot to deal with but I really appreciate having some people to actually bring this to who may actually be helpful on solving my problem or just answering the few questions I have


2003 Acura TL Type S 215kmiles

 

Welcome to the forums.

Since this is a topic/technical issue which will require replies, and not a "New Member Introduction", this thread has been moved to the model specific forum.

 

#1 Yes
#2 Yes only with an Acura/Honda specialist.
#3 Yes; Yes.

You might want to try to following link.

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...ission-943471/

1. Change your external ATF filter.
2. Do the Stop n Go.
3. Replace 100% of the ATF.

Update

1. Use Valvoline Max Life full synthetic ATF instead of Mercon III. No need to switch back to DW1.

2. Change your radiator to a 1999 TL with the built-in trans cooler and hookup the cooler to the external trans filter return line. The trans fluid will last longer and work better due to the better operating temperature.

 

3. Two shots of XADO EX120.

 

Question # 1. There are things you could do, as 01acls recommends, however your most likely just prolonging the inevitable, and incurring additional expense. Question # 2. The AV6 is a viable option, and is very compatible with the 2003 TLS engine. Question # 3. The purchase of an 08 TLS, although it's a very expensive option, would be an excellent choice in that the 2008 TLS is considerably more reliable, transmission wise and IMO, ten times the car, when compared to the 2003 TLS. You must also consider the current value of a 2003 TLS, with average miles, in average condition, with known transmission issues, is right around $600.00 in my area!

 

Correction to my Update 1. & 2.

1. I meant to say Dexron not Mercon.

2. The​​​​The 99 radiator is only interchangeable with the TLP and not the TLS. The TLS radiator has an additional sensor. As an alternative for the TLS, you might want to add an air cool trans cooler if you live in a warmer climate.

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