So i just read about 40 pgs of the tranny fail thread, im about 98% mine is done.

Sorry to post new threads\ with so many out but I couldnt find one with my symptoms.

On the Highway my check eng and vsa lights come on, when I let off the gas it dips slightly, when I ease back on the gas it jerks slightly, very odd and of coarse I knew that was it. The car never slipped or did anything else odd.

I got to work, turned the car off, and back on right away and the eng light was only on this time so I drove around and everything felt normal.

I leave work some hrs later, again on the eng light on and everything felt fine, bout 20 miles home. Im driving to Autozone to get the code read and the eng light just goes off, thought that was odd.

So any input guys? Dont know the history of the tranny, i did a basic drain 15k ago, and its a 03 out of the vin coverage with 120k.

 

what were the stored codes? if the lights came on it should have grabbed codes

remember they are clues not a diagnosis in themself

ck the fluid level after 15 minutes freeway drive- stop and ck-BETWEEN the 2 upper dots is right
does it smell like burnt sugar?

 

many are switching to redline or amz or even plain generic type F atf and saving a weak, shudder, or hard shifting trans

 

if you are driving say 30 minutes+ and it acts up = wont go

it may have particulate matter clogging the TC fluid outlet screens
Park and wait 15-30 minutes for it to cool off, the crud should settle back down to the bottem,,enough to get you off the freeway or to the shop-- as needed

 

The thing is, that the car is driving fine now, just yesterday it did this acting up part.

No lights, no hard shifts, no slips. Would it be wise for me to change the oil to the redline? Is it a risk at this point?

Tranny oil level was fine, no smell of burn and it looked fine.

 

Get the codes read before any speculation can be made.

 

Will do. Thanks, ill post what I find.

 

According to Autozone, it is against CA law to allow them to read codes on vehicles.

Ill have to find someone who has a scanner help here.

Question, if I understand you correctly 01tl4tl, codes get stored even if my light comes off?

 

Wtf, really? I thought it was just illegal for Autozone to reset the codes. I don't see why they can't read them for you.

Strange.

 

sorry didnt look at your avatar box to realize you were CA resident--

its a real law!!! they did not lie
reason: so smog testing shops can earn money for nothing on diagnostics--
a trade deal with the state so they will buy 100k$ equipment to do 30 dollar smog cks,,
but can change 150$ for diagnostics, regardless of actual time!!, and does not include the actual fix!

while the consumer gets the shafting instead of a comp code reading

ck the regions section for local area members- always one with a scanner at every ziner meet- find out who- place a post for help in there..I know for fact there is one or more in the sac meets group

before I was a ziner, had to pay a shop 60 bucks to get codes off a different car, then use my car knowledge to figure out the prob based on the codes!! they are not even whats actually wrong many times!

A way around this: drop by a trans shop , they do free inspections, and tell them its acting up,,guess what they do?- scan for codes looking for hints to trans failure!
a box of donuts or a 6pack may get you the info

note: in Ca you can BUY the scanner- under 200 for the cool one- harbor freight tools ,,or get this,,parts stores are allowed to sell them!!

 

if a warning light CEL or TCS came on- it stores a code as to why..at least what the ecu thinks may be wrong

 

you can reset/clear codes anytime you want- just remove the CLOCK fuse on the TL passenger end of dash
secret backup power to ECU

 

Thanks for the info good to know. I'll find some one with the code. So I found out that this issue I'm having is not related to the engine temperature, after sitting for 8 hrs at start up all lights came on again. Again no slips but very jerky reactions when applying or letting off the gas.
Does my 03 have a shift solenoid?

 

Jerky almost like the front wheels are losing traction on a slippery/wet road? That's what mine started doing a couple months before it started slipping. Once it started slipping I knew it was close to gone.

 

Yes. After I had my tranny replaced it worked great for about 400 miles and then it freaked out and popped a P0780 code - shift fault of some sort. Turned out it was the shift solenoid - dealer replaced it and all has been fine since.

 

Well no not like it's loosing traction. At highway speeds I can let off the gas and feel a very very slight jerk, I reapply my foot on the had and feel the same subtle jerk. Very minimal.
Maybe I should start there and try cleaning that out first.

 

Well, when you get the code if it's P0780 I'd say it's worth a shot.

 

Just got the code read and its P1519. Said something about idle speed control input.

 

I think ima try cleaning my IACV tonight.

 

Today I removed the IACV and cleaned the hell out of it. I tried to remove the TB and got to the very last part but couldnt figure out how to remove the cables, so instead of messing something else up I just cleaned the main problem.

I drove around and the codes were cleared and as of right now I have no issues, hope it stays like this.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

remove the inner side nut on cables- rotate throttle asemble by hand to full open
slide barrel end of cable out the cutout in side of throttle assembly
you will see it

you were able to remove the entire iacv rod and clean inside its area etc?

 

Uhh no?

After one day of driving the problem returns. I think I will just replace this.

 

Update.
Replaced the iacv and my car is smoother than ever.

 

could not clean it--what was wrong?

 

Well I did try cleaning, but maybe I didn't do a good job because it kept happening. It was very intermitant, not only that but at times all lights including the check engine light would come off. At that point it could have been the electrical part of it, so I just bought one swapped out the iacv, all symptoms are gone and everything runs great now.

 

cost?
when you removed the old rod did you clean inside its workspace?
thats what people miss when cleaning the system

 

It was just under $100 for the unit, got it from autozone.

Yeah I was not aware of doing that, to get to the rod was I supposed to remove the electrical part of the unit?

 

hmm maybe I need to clean mine also

 

i dont mean to thread jack but does this happen to all of the 2000-2003 tls? because im lookin to buy a 2003 that has 86,510 miles. i kno its still under warranty but i was thinking maybe changing the ATF every 2000-3000miles or so to prevent it from the tranny failing?

 

it doesnt happen to all there are some good and some bad

changing the fluid will not prevent it... esp every 1000 miles u dont even change your oil that much

 

My problem is not related to the tranny. What I replaced was the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV).
If you are wondering about the tranny check out this link. I do love my car but its best to do as much homework as you can.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ht=transmition

 

How do you know it's still under warranty? Only some 2003s qualified for extended tranny warranty and most of those are probably out due to time (extended warranty is 7yrs 9mos/109k miles from first in-service date).

Changing fluid that often won't help. The problem isn't with the fluid breaking down it's with the fluid not getting to where it needs to go.

 

atf= change 3 qts with every or every other engine oil change-7500 or 15kmiles

ck with acura care for its `in service date` an dend of trans warranty- if covered vin
1 800 382 2238x5 (need vin to research it)

look at the bolts around and on the trans- if the heads are painted blue, thats an acura warranty replacement unit..so its got that going for it

navi or non= gps equipped?

the IACv does get carbon crudded and can be taken apart to clean
EGR ports thru the intake manifold also clog ~75kmiles..easy DIY

 

86kmiles--if the trans hasnt failed yet--its right on schedule for that to happen a day after you buy it!