SupaRookie

I'm not sure if that is the correct title, but in any case....Every since I bought my car, the problem hasnt been that big of a deal until now. I already tried searching for various searches, but no luck. Please excuse my noobish-ness if this is a common problem.

Problem: When I tried to change/shift from Park to Reverse or any other gear, it is rather difficult. I do not know why...am I running low on some kinda fluid?? 5% of the time it is easy, while the other 95% is starting to get annoying. Basically, when I press the Brake and shift to another gear...it doesnt want to move! Am I suppose to wait for some "magic" moment?? Please advise. Thanks for any help or recommendations.

Rpappi

weird it. it sounds like a glitch. or maybe there is a peice of broken plastic in there. you should check your fluid. that is a start. if that isnt it and your car is still in warrenty then they should fix it no problem.

SupaRookie

That's the thing...After work today, I tried to shift to a different gear for a good 15 minute. I had to get out the manual and read. It said something about a shift lock release. I had to use it....the manual said that if I needed to use it, I should see an Acura dealership to have it check up.

What fluid should I be checking? I open my hood up last time and the one that are visible; they look full. I bought the car used from someone else. It still has less than 100K miles, but am I eligible for warranty work??

SuperTLfans

For the transmission, as long as you are 00-02 and some 03 then you are good until 100k. Warranty covers it. You should take it back and let them check at once... you don't know what kind of problems you are running into...maybe the previous driver was cooking the tranny hard!!! Make Acura change your tranny and make sure it's the newest design for 2 gen that they are putting in althought that should be the only one since feb 05. And take it easy.

bkzjimmy

i think it might be a sticky brakelight switch. mine went bad and even after the so called fix the dealer gave me it still gets stuck once in a while.

to find out if thats the problem, when it doesnt shift leave ya foot on the brake and turn around to see if ya brakelight comes on. if it doesnt light up then its the brakelight switch.

fsttyms1

If you have to use the shift lock to get it to shift out of park into a gear i would say its most likely a brake light switch

SupaRookie

Bingo! Tell him what he has won Johnny...Anyways, I went to Acura and ask them a few questions:

1) Transmission error code: P1456 & P1739. Told him how the CEL dissappear twice...and it wont come back on anymore. Got an appointment on Thursday so they can check the transmission out. I told him how the warranty is 100k or 7 yrs. I got 99,020 on it when I arrive at the dealership. He also said something about a class action lawsuit regarding the transmission which will make it 109,000 miles which isnt "official" yet..lol

2) Wheel lock: owner had different set on the rear. I said I just want to take them out and use regular lug nuts. I ask him how much a lug nut would cost and he said $10 a piece. I know most dealership parts are pricey.....so where can I get some standard lug nuts for my TL?

3) The guy was friendly enough to tell me my brake light switch is bad in a low tone of voice so other people dont hear him. It would cost $199 to get it replace....I decided not to get it replace this Thursday. So how difficult is it to fix a brake light switch?

Thanks for the help guys.

fsttyms1

Its a 5 min fix. Order the part and install it yourself. It just screws into place, then you conect a harness to it.

SupaRookie

Five minutes !!? Is that for a mechanical incline person or a mechanic noob? So who got instruction on how to replace the brake light switch?? I'm assuming that I would buy a _____ (what is the name of the part, so I dont sound like an idiot when asking....) from the dealership? Or can this part be bought from Autozone/Kragen?? Man I need to change this thing out quick, dont feel safe driving w/o letting other people know my brakes switch is bad.

blix177

I want to know too, I got the same problem

fsttyms1

Brake light switch # 3 in the diagram

Part # 36750-S84-003

SupaRookie

I got the website you PM me, but what parts am I suppose to buy? I dont see anything call Brake switch. I even click on Switch and a bunch of different parts show up. Upon further search on google, I found this

http://acuraoemparts.com/delray/jsp/srchrslts.jsp

When I search for the part # you mention, this comes up:
36750-S84-003 SWITCH ASSY. 99 - 03 TL 33.23 26.58

Is that the correct one? Where did you get a picture of that diagram? Is there anyway I can get a bigger picture of that?

fsttyms1

Its under pedal. Its part #3 Its listed as SWITCH ASSY.

I wouldnt have posted it if it was the wrong one

And no cant get bigger thats from this site http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...prddisplay.jsp

bkzjimmy

i thought it was #6......

this is it

SupaRookie

So like what kind of tools do I need? Any special tool? How long does it take for a non-mechanic person to do it?

SupaRookie

Any help please? I would like to get it fix this weekend. Very dangerous driving w/o letting other people know my brakes are on...

giff74

I dont mean to be mean, but maybe you should have the dealer or a mechanic do it. You have the part number, the diagram and pictures of where it plugs in. Anything else and someone will be doing it for you. Oh ya, that is what the dealer would do...

fsttyms1

No #6 is the pedal spring return.

fsttyms1

Nothing special. Go look at it and see if its something you want to try. Its just a unplugging of a clip and a wrench to tighten. LIke i said 5 min job. Look at it and you will see.

SupaRookie

One person say #3 and the other said #6, so it's a little bit confusing. I already said dealer would charge me $200..$200 may not mean much to some people, but a little bit here and a little bit there and it all adds up. I'm trying to learn how to take care of my car. Maybe when I get a job that pay me more, this wouldnt matter anymore. Thanks for expressing your thoughts. Let me take a look at my car.....

Something else I like to mention. I went to the dealer to have them check my tranny. District Manager said he will not replace it because it's pass 7 yrs. I knew it wont work, but didnt hurt to try. I hope the lawsuit regarding the tranny will be done soon. This is what the dealer wrote:

"Verified code PO1739, slipping on acceleratation, harsh shifting and dark fluid. Replacement under warranty extension declined due to original delivery date. Cost of replacement $5300 ( ) for remanufactured tranmission from Howards with 12 months 12 thousand miles. "

So what to do now? Take it to tranny shop and have them estimate cost? I'm guessing the dark fluid is the tranny fluid? If I get that flush and refill, will that do anything? I didnt even really notice it was slipping on acceleration and harsh shifting....

SupaRookie

Lies! It took me more than 5 minutes to do it. I had to get help from my dad, so we can adjust the sensitivity of the brake lights. Total cost for the part is $47.71 at dealer. Would have save myself ~$9 if I bought it online, but I would need to wait for it. It's these little thing like this that I need to learn for myself! $149 to do a 5 minute job.... That's $29.80 per minute!!

Thanks for your picture jimmy, it really help alot and thanks fsttyms1 for telling me it would only take 5 minutes.

bkzjimmy