I have done much searching on this site and have not found a transmission problem quite like mine-

BACKGROUND:
2000 ACURA TL,
OIL JET INSTALLED UNDER RECALL @ 120000-130000 MILES
TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT @150000 MILES DUE TO FAILURE
CURRENT MILES 178000 AND HAVING TRANNY OR TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEMS

the car starts, runs and drives fine, until after a few miles. At a stoplight, light turns green, press the gas and no go, like the car is in neutral. Turn the car off and restart and everything is back to normal.... until the next light, then same thing.

Sounds electrical to me, like I'm resetting the computer. But I read somewhere??? that what is actually occurring is the torque converter is draining of fluid (unlocking it) when I turn the car off and restart. NOTE- car drives completely normal when cold, it takes a few miles.

I have pulled off the "clutch pressure control solenoid valves A and B" and "Clutch pressure control solenoid valve C". The screens were clean of debris. Also they tested fine when terminals were hooked up to battery.Tranny fluid looked OK.

My next step was to change fluid and filter, but I dont know if I should even bother. I've heard it can help.

I am assuming the transmission itself is ok and a component of the transmission is the problem. Any ideas of what I should try next? I am planning to trade the car with the new year after income tax returns. I would not like to replace the transmission again and I temporary fix would be just fine.

 

Is there any CEL or code?? If i had to guess id say the torque converter or a solenoid somewhere is failing. If its the TQC you will most likely need a new trans. Whats your fluid level/color?

 

oh yeah....codes. I have been having intermittent CEL codes of 0740, 1739, and 1740 for almost a year. Never had any luck with repairing and car drove fine with them.

Funny thing is, when transmission did start malfunctioning, It pulled no codes, and did not pull the codes until several minutes into the malfunction.

Fluid level was correct. Color was not bright; a little brownish, but smelled OK.

 

It doesn't really appear that anyone is following this thread, but....
here is and update:

I began a 3x3 fluid change (actually more like a 4x3, as I drained over 4 quarts).
The fluid was actually worse than I thought, infact I might even call it redish black. The drain plug was caked with goop.

 

well the problem is is the clutchpacks are worn and the solenoids are probably plugged. Changing the fluid if it helps at all will only be a very short term bandaid. You may want to pull the solenoids and clean them as well.

 

I've pulled and inspected/tested the pressure control solenoids and they were clean. Should I clean the shift solenoids as well? Are there screens to clean on these solenoids?

 

Inspect and clean them all.

 

UPDATE.....

I've cleaned and inspected solenoids and did a 4x3 tranny oil change. Seems to have worked as a temporary band aid. I have not driven the car any distance and do not plan to at this time because I do not trust it.

Can anyone get their best guess as to how long (in miles) this temporary fix will hold up?

 

It all depends on how much wear there actually is. Just drive the car if its going to fail its going to fail. If not then even better.

 

I'm having a similar problem that OP is. I've got a 2000 TL with 156k on it, two tranny replacements, covered under recall. The car revs but doesn't move after a few minutes of driving. A local shop ran a check and came up with "Torque Converter." I've got a call into my dealership to see what they'll do for me. I was hoping to get at least another 3 years out of this car, but I'm not buying a new tranny for it. If the dealer won't help me, it's RIP for my ride.

 

I was just curious to the mileages of your 1st two transmission replacements.

Let us know what the dealer says when you talk to him.

 

Bought the car in Sept 2001 a year used w/ 14K and change on it. First tranny replace in Jan 2002 at 21K, 2nd replacement in July '03 at 56K, and an oil jet replacement at 75K in 2004. A service guy from the dealer told me yesterday that Acura won't do a goodwill tranny or a deal on a 9 year old car. Fair enough, but I'm not putting a $4000 tranny in a car that's maybe worth $3000, and hope that it won't die on me prematurely. I've got a call into the service manager, and I'm planning on talking to the regional Acura rep, and the Sales Manager for the dealer. I want to know what its worth to them if they lose me as a customer (my family has 5 cars currently on the road from this dealer) forever over this. I think Acura needs to stand behind its product here and try not to lose me as a Honda/Acura customer permanently. Developing...

 

Have you(will you) tried any of the "fixes" that I have? It so ,has it worked? Just curious what your intentions were.

 

rockoutwuglockout, when was your last transmission replaced?

 

around 150000 miles

 

I meant the date? Testing the theory that post 2005 feb transmissions are better ...

 

You with your join date should know that they are better.

 

LOL . Still, everytime someones tranny goes its damn interesting to know if its post 05

 

LOL my bad..... May of 06.
It was changed by and independent tranny shop and it was a refurbished. So this won't help you testing.

 

Do you know if the shop that installed your last tranny was aware of the latest Acura updates on the parts ?

 

no, no idea.

 

Hey rockout, I had a similar problem about an year ago. Whenever my car got heated up, it would rev at the traffic signal for a while before engaging. I did not do anything about it, and the problem slowly went away (may be I have not driven it hard enough). Nowadays I am noticing a slightly different issue, if the load on vehicle is high (lots of people / going on a slope) my car shudders when going from 3 -> 4 gear. Has that ever happened to you?

How well is your solenoid cleaning solution holding up? Has the problem reappeared for you?