Scott S.

Well after almost 120,000 miles the second transmission on my 2002 TL-S finally died.

First of all I would like to thank Acura for still not being able to build a freaking transmission that will last, and standing up behind their product like a wet noodle. I called up my local dealership and they want $5800 to replace the current one with another Acura unit. I asked if they would be willing to do anything to help me out and I got the typical run around before NO!

My mechanic can pull the existing unit and have it completely rebuilt for $3400. That would include all new electronics and the latest updates. They are willing to back the rebuild with a 3 year and 75,000 mile warranty compared to 3 years 36,000 from Acura.

So here is my dilemma....The vehicle has 158,000 miles on it and is in very good condition (no dents, rust, or anything). The only issue with the car is the in-dash CD player at this time and the rear view mirror (auto dim doesn't work anymore). Given the value of the car is it even worth spending the money to have it fixed? My mechanic said that if he was him he would fix it because we know the condition of the car and maintenance done on it in the 9 years I've owned it. Given the age and mileage things could start going south at any given time. The only thing I find reassuring is that my mechanic said he will gladly if I decide not to move forward fixing it. I'm not in the market for a new vehcile, but luckily we purchased a Prius last year to go with our Sequoia.

So what do you guys think?

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

how much do you like the car? or are you so fed up that you want to spend money on a new car?

it seems like the two issues you mentioned are relatively minor compared to the tranny.

your mechanic is giving you a pretty good warranty. how much longer were you trying to get this car to go??

ultimately, its up to you what you want to do with the car...

i think for me it would come down to how much i really like/love the car and what other issues there have been that have sucked on my wallet (big tix items).

if the car is a massive money pit outside the tranny...time to shop for something more reliable. if its just the tranny....i'd think hard about what i want to do and what my financial situation is.

Gixxerride

Ive never done this myself, but ive heard of people swapping in an accord or odyssey tranny. Their are some posts on here also i think. Usedtransmission.com has tl s models for around $1400 shipped.

yeedatoy

^^What he said..$3400 is a horrible price for a rebuild. Also, replace your mirror before it blows up! The new version should be $75-$90 on Ebay.

Stephen00TL

Also you can try switching newer tl tranny from 05-06 auto just have to switch some switches and a few things and that's it. Search for it I found several different ones to go with I think the oddesey tranny required the most to get it to work. And replace that mirror mine exploded and ate through the center console

Scott S.

Actually other than the tranny I haven't had to put a lot of work into it other than normal maintenance. I did have the to replace the ball joints and struts about 30K miles ago and just recently did a brake job.

I was really hoping to get 5-7 more years out of it, because I wanted it to become my son's car in the next 3 years. I really do like the car but it is hard to sink that much cash into a car that is only worth 1500 more than the repair. But at least I know what I got.

I thought the Odyssey tranny had the same issue as the TL. I might mention some other options to my mechanic and see what he can come up with. Are you guys sure the V6 accord tranny will work in the TL without failing due to the extra torque?

Scott S.

this is an update to my original post. The transmission for $3400 is actually a remanufactured transmission instead of a rebuilt like I said in my original post. Based on what I've read it sounds like a remanufactured tranny would be better than a rebuilt, so maybe that is why the price sounded so high to yeedatoy.

Stephen00TL

If It were me I would just do 6 speed. I wools not put Another 2g tl tranny in the car I would try the 05-08 3.2 tranny just swap the sensors over. This way you would probably See alot less problems.

Here is that thread I was talking about. It shows you the possible alternatives

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-116/2nd-gen-tl-auto-transmission-alternatives-753294/

emartinez13

I just had my 2000 TL fixed two days ago. I had a transmission from a 2007 v6 Accord put in. I got the tranny for $900 used and it only had 38K miles. The swap is pretty straight forward. All that had to be swapped was the tranny cooler and the range sensor. The power steering speed sensor was not able to be used cause the hole is blocked off in the accord tranny but i've not seen anything negative from not using it. Everything else lined up perfectly. In all with labor I paid $1400. Good luck with yours.

Stephen00TL

Exactly what I'm talking about. You can also check car-part.com for transmissions just type in the year and model of the car you are looking for and it will pull up a list for you...

emartinez13

car-part.com is a great resource! Working in the automotive industry i've used it for about 8 years now and where I always start looking for parts.

666wokker

Hello!

Short time prowler here, first time post

Bought a 03 TL Base a few weeks ago.....

100 miles into the purchace the trans started to go south..... the level of pissed both me and my wife were is inconcievable...

Death Codes P0740 and P0700
BIG slips in the 2-3 and 3-4 shift, fluid as black as night with TONS of metal in it.....

Good thing I run a taxicab company, we fix EVERYTHING on cars and have the facility to do so!



Did some massive research on this forum, the CL forums, , alldata..... found the best soulution!

06-07 Accord v6 3.0 5AT trans, low mileage!

So I sourced one with 30k on it, rear-end wreck - did the swap today - took ALL DAY, but with the right tools, it can be done easily.



***These are the things you MUST know***


1. Junkyards and the like DO NOT show this in the parts interchange! *-THEY SHOULD-*

*NVA-AV6 is TOTALLY RIGHT, Thanks for the info on the net man, you rock!*


2. You NEED to swap your 2nd gen transmission range switch and harness


3. You NEED to swap the transmission warmer, filter, mounting plate, and brackets from the 2nd gen trans

*Don't forget new filter and gasket for the mounting plate*


4. There's a small wiring harness in the front right bottom of the trans, you may need to swap that from the 2nd gen trans



THAT'S IT



If you have someone who will do the labor for you at a good cost, and follow those directions *DO THIS*

The Accord transmissions are a bit more stable than , *ahem* what we've been dealing with......

This was a pretty easy job for me and my mechanic at work, there wasn't too much that fought us

The car seems to be running very well now, tomorrow I am going to do a bit more testing, but so far my 20 mile drive from work today was pleasant!



Best of luck to you in your choice!

Stephen00TL

^ Glad it worked out for you keep us posted on how it goes from here.

yeedatoy

Scott S.

I called my mechanic and he pretty much refuses to get involved with a bone yard tranny. Based on his experience it ends up costing more in the end because you don't know if the tranny is good or not.

I also talked to Hank's Transmissions in Danville, IL, and he said he would be willing to do a swap if I can get my hands on a tranny. Looked for a rebuilt and the cheapest I could find was $2400. Most of them are $2800. I'm just not sure where I can get my hands on a used one that I wouldn't be concerned about working. Worst case I would be out $600 labor to install a new one.

The only good news about the $3400 installed price my mechanic is giving me is that it includes a 3yr/75K mile warranty INCLUDING LABOR! So if it goes bad during this time they will just replace it at no charge to me.

I still think the Accord V6 tranny is the way to go if I can get someone to do the work.

Scott S.

I would love to do this but my wife doesn't know how to drive a stick and I had to sell my last car because of that.

03tl-s04mdx

6-speed swap and a wife swap at the same time?

Scott S.

Wife swap = divorce, and I can buy myself a couple of NSXs for what that would cost me....Guess that option is off the board! Of course I would never do that because then I would need to buy 3 tranmissions (1 for my TL and 1 for each of my new NSXs).

All joking aside...those of you who have done the manual 6-speed swap has it helped on gas mileage or anything? Also what is the cost to change the vechicle over? Is it cheaper in the end?

Stephen00TL

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/srbs-6-speed-swap-2000-tl-p6-832891/
Complete part list and tips in this thread here. Also check DIY section for other 6speed info

crazyDreamer

hello, this is my 1st time posting..i bought my cl type s auto anticipating i might fail(it went on my 03 TL) the rebuild for that was $1800 w' 3 yr warranty..unfortunately that shop was sold to some kid who has quickly lost my confidence..im looking into swapping an 06-07 accord tranny instead of another rebuild..im in the chicago area, if anyone can refer me a good and trusted shop id greatly appreciate it..from what i hear the odyssey trannys are just as bad

Scott S.

Does anyone know the difference between the MGFA and M7WA trannys? Also it would be helpful for me to know which code goes along with the redesigned case from 2005?

fsttyms1

Problem with rebuilding the existing trans is that they will still fail. Nothing gets done to address the lack of fluid getting to the 3rd gear clutches. That is why the other trans we can put in are a better choice.

Scott S.

Can you please tell me exactly the #1 and #2 choices so I can see what I can do to find a remanufactured one? I figure if I'm going to fork out the money I'm going to dictate how it gets fixed and with what.

I'm not trying to sound like an arse hole, but intead an educated consumer who knows what he wants.

homeskillet43

I am new to this transmission swap business. I have a 2003 TL Type S I am considering a 2005 TL transmission or a 06/07 Accord transmission. In the pull down menu on car-parts.com which transmission for the Accord do I select, there are about 10 choices? According to the post all I have to change is the range sensor, oil/cooler, and possibly drive or tap two holes? I really want to keep this car, but I cannot deal with the infamous tranny problems. I have a mechanic that is willing to do the swap, but I have to give him all the info. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.