gangstaTL03

Attn Transmission Experts:

I understand that 2G TL's have the infamous transmission problem- a design flaw in one of the main bearings?

Anyways.. I am now on my third transmission, last replaced at 88,000..

I have 125,000 miles now, and the CEL just came on a couple of nights ago.
Used a scanner to pull the DTCs and got codes p07040 and p1617..

From my understanding and some research on Mitchell's.. The p07040 code is a TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) Solenoid Circuit Malfunction/Open... the p1617 code is a TCS problem which I believe will go away when the first code is remedied.

I removed this solenoid and checked its resistance with a multimeter (16-25 ohms) and added voltage to the solenoid to listen for the clicking noise. Resistance was at 16.9 ohms (with cold engine), which I assume is within specs and when voltage was added to the solenoid, clicking was heard only initially.. but it was harder to get it to click thereafter. I am still not sure if this means that my TCC solenoid is intermittently broken or if the problem is somewhere else in the TCC circuit.

Last time the CEL illuminated (with the Same Code), I took it into the dealer since I was still covered under warranty and they replaced the whole transmission. However, now that I'm not covered anymore, I am wondering if a tranny R&R is really necessary (as it would be really expensive out of pocket).

Shouldn't I be able to just replace the $250 TCC Solenoid to keep the PCM from triggering the CEL instead of replacing the WHOLE transmission?

My only concern is whether my transmission is causing the TCC Solenoid to go bad, or if the TCC Solenoid is causing the transmission to slip.... (kinda like the chicken or the egg thing). What's causing what? This is important if I am going to be able to diagnose the problem at the root of the cause and not only the symptom.

The symptoms of the vehicle:
1. When changing gears (more so at higher RPMs), the RPMs jump 6-800 RPMs before actually engaging into the next gear. But it doesn't seem to happen when driving very conservatively.
2. After engine warms up (hot tranny), the problem gets worse. When pushing on the throttle while in Drive, it seems as if the torque converter is not locking up correctly when it should, and the RPMs act as if I was in neutral, therefore not moving the car.

My thoughts:
I wonder if the higher temperatures of a warmed up tranny is causing more or less resistance to the solenoid, therefore causing it to funtion improperly and not efficiently lock up the Torque Converter on demand.

I wonder if this solenoid, which I believe controls pressure, is causing my tranny to slip (much like a worn 2nd or 3rd gear clutch pack slipping, but not necessarily so).

If the malfunctioning TCC solenoid cannot perform its job properly, then I believe that this would cause the Torque Converter to also not lock up properly when shifting gears while in drive.


I know that many would just jump to the conclusion that the trans itself is slipping because of a worn clutch pack.. and say that I have to change trannies. However, I would like to challenge this theory and start an open discussion about whether or not a simple solenoid can cause these symptoms.

P.S. If a new tranny is needed... Ima have to somehow find the funds for the manual 6speed and do the swap myself to save money. Money is a issue here, ain't ballin like some fellas up on this forum.. Ha

Anyways... Thanks for reading and for your concern. Please give me some input as to how I should go about diagnosing this problem.

gangstaTL03

I am ordering the TCC Solenoid. Its replacement should solve my problem, since the mechanical operation of the transaxle is dependent upon the proper hydraulic pressure being "distributed" by the solenoid.

fsttyms1

On mine when it happened the trans needed to be replaced.

poltergeist

The code is P0740. In most cases it's caused by low hydraulic line pressure in the trans, usually from clutch material plugging up the passages/ screens in the trans. Cleaning the feed pipes to the solenoid while you have it off may buy you some time, but usually a P0740 is an indication the trans is failing, especially if you also have a slip, flare, harsh shifts etc.

gangstaTL03

Did the dealer tell you that it needed to be replaced?

or was this your own conclusion.. from testing? researching?

I'm kind of skeptical in depending on the dealer for an answer.. since sometimes they over sell work, in order to pay their techs..

gangstaTL03

Hmm..
So you're saying that worn clutch material may be clogging/plugging up the trans lines.. therefore, causing low pressure.. which results with the TCC Solenoid not being able to lock up the torque converter?

If this is so.. that means that even if I do replace the solenoid.. it'll go bad again anyways right?

What if I flush out the tranny fluid? Would that solve the problem of "cloggy" lines? or would the new tranny fluid just collect more bits of clutch material and make it worse?

I really don't have funds for a 6speed.. unless I ask my mother, which I am too old to do.. haha

fsttyms1

He is correct. If there is clutch material clogging up the line pressure the damage has occurred enough to create that much material to plug it. On mine i was noticing flared (slipping) shifts ever so slightly which was the indication that 3rd was about toast (and that was after about 15k miles) Replacing or cleaning he solenoid/screen and flushing(flushes are NOT recommended in the acura trans) may get it to work but time may be short.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

i had the same problem too, but mine was toast, see if acura will goodwill the tranny and you fork out $2400 for labor. thats what i did. its a lot better than $5000

gangstaTL03

Damn..

gangstaTL03

2400 for labor to install an auto tranny thas gonna go bad again.. or 5000 for parts for a manual 6spd swap.. or trade in my TL and pay 3000 for a CL-S 6spd..

gangstaTL03

The ATF is light brown after about 30,000 miles.. not red or pink.. but not black either.. I'm guessing that this is an indication that my ATF is contaminated with clutch material, and that a new tranny is needed.. However, I am not completely sure that this is the case..

I have a friend whose father in law is a tranny specialist.. I was wondering if I should have him rebuild it.. perhaps with higher quality parts? Or is this also a lost cause in which the tranny is gonna die again anyways?

fsttyms1

Seeing you are having a hard time believing that its not toast, here is what you do. Simply change the fluid and see if it solves your problem. If your lucky it will.

He wont be able to fix it. You need one of the new designs from acura that have the upgraded parts and passage in the case.

gangstaTL03

Aight man Thanks..

Just one last question tho.. this "new design from Acura that has upgraded parts and passages in the case".. Are you talking about the remanufactured trannies? Cuz if you are.. I was under the impression that this is what I currently have in my TL, since it was replaced already twice..

These new design trannies will inevitably die just like the original trannies won't they? I just don't wanna go thru no more trannies man, i'm done and sick of it..

fsttyms1

The new parts that have been shown to last have been in the feb 05 redesign. So if your trans replacements were all before that they didnt have what it needed.