Tranny Update...

Hello all,

Here is a update on my tranny situation. After a long time with out my beloved TL I can finally pick it up today after work. What I will end up paying is about $1,500. That is with a 50/50 split with Acura. This includes a Acura rebuilt tranny, torque converter and re-flashed PCM with the updated software. I called Acura customer care and asked to see if they would cover more, but they said they could not due to the economy. They did however mention had this happened last year they would have covered more on the tranny.

What makes this situation interesting is that the warranty manager that reviewed my case did not want to grant me any good will at all!! The service manager at Cerritos Acura called corporate on my behalf and got me the 50% split. I suppose in my particular situation what it boiled down to was that the dealer came through for me and I will definitly be giving them a good score on the customer satisfaction survey!!

Good luck ya'll on getting your trannys fixed...FYI do not under any circumstance take your TL to AAMCO!!!

 

I have yet to see any sort of detailed list that covers what changes Acura made. The question has been asked many times on this forum.

I do recall a mention that the 3rd gear clutch pack material was changed. (The failure of that material is apparently a major cause of TL transmission failures.)

 

$1500 is execellent. I got that same story about the economy and how if this was a year ago Acura would have covered more. Sounds like a bunch of bull crap to me. It sucks that large corporations are using the economy excuse. "Sorry we designed this crappy transmission, but since the economy sucks will will not help you like we have done in the past."

 

Hi, I'm new to this site and hoping for some advice on the dilemma that's keeping me up tonight. I'm a loyal Acura owner, as I've had 4 Integras (3 GSRs) and very few problems (with high mileage on all). My current one is a 2001 GS-R, 112K, very good condition. I love it and would be happy to keep it for a long time, but I'm concerned about the 2-door/small backseat aspect as we are hoping to have children in a year or two and I think that would be almost unworkable for infant seats and such. So, I'd always wanted to upgrade to a 2003 TL Type-S in Aegean Blue Pearl when I got to that point.

I've been keeping an eye out, but we're not in a rush. I noticed recently that one of our local Acura dealerships had a 2003 TL-S on the lot, but in Anthracite Metallic and no spoiler. Since my husband and I have never driven the 2003 TLs (we had a 2008 as a loaner once, though), we thought it would be a good idea to just go test this one out to make sure we like the car, even though this particular one didn't meet our exact specifications. So, we went and test drove it and really loved everything about the car. Except for the color and the lack of spoiler.

So, here's the questions. The sales person (who was not particularly friendly) said that they can paint it Aegean Blue and put a spoiler on it for $1500. I'm not sure if the painting is a good idea or not. The asking price before that is somewhere between $9-$10K, depending on who you ask...this guy or their internet listing. The car has 108K and the previous owner had it since 19K (I checked CarFax). The Acura dealership replaced the timing belt, which is good. He also said, and this is the real issue to me, that they just put in a new transmission that "does not have the plastic part that was defective." He also said that the transmission has a warranty, though he didn't tell us how long (the dealership was closing and he seemed to be rushing us away). I know, after reading all this, that these cars frequently have tranny problems. But I can't seem to get a clear answer as to whether or not the brand-new trannys have the same problems. I don't want to break down in a dangerous situation. But I really love the 2003 TL-S in general.

They're estimating my trade in value and letting me know Monday. We're aiming to not pay more than $4K to upgrade...which is probably unlikely I'm guessing, so maybe none of this will matter. But, if they come in with a reasonable offer, is purchasing this car (and the painting) a good idea? It's not the route we'd been planning to go, but it seems like it may be worth considering if the new transmission is actually reliable.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

Hey guys my 2000 TL is going on 86,000 miles and the tranny hasn't failed. At one point it would jerk a little bit if i let of the throttle in third, but after a transmission service (new fluid), it seemed better although i still feel it sometimes. It doesn't feel anywhere close to failing thus i wanted to know if it is indeed possible for it to not fail?

P.S. Sometimes, at around 25mph, I hear an odd sound that seems like a piece of lose shielding or something. Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks

 

It's said that the post-Feb 05 transmission replacements have redesigned 3rd gear clutch material and better fluid flow in the area, so they are reputedly more reliable than the older ones...

 

it is possible for it to not fail...some people have theirs go to 150k+ miles without ever knowing there was a problem. others have them go every 10k. however, just because your transmission is ok right now doesn't mean it won't fail later. dunno what you mean by the jerking, can you be more specific?

as for it not feeling like its failing, my old transmission had shifts so smooth the only way to tell the gear had changed was to watch the tach. apparently they were too smooth as the clutches were slipping.

cliffs: yay your transmission works for now. but it might not tomorrow.

good luck!

 

i know that it is 100k miles that the warranty is extended too. But what date do we have until it is useless anyways. Mine is an 03, no issues yet. But i just want to know when I will be screwed either way. Is it 5 years? In which case it would already be past, right?

 

The time limit on the warranty is 7 year 9 months. The countdown starts with the car's in-service date. That in-service date can vary by a year or so. Contact acura if you don't know the date for your car.

1999 and 2000 TLs have all reached the time limit.

Also, Acura has provided goodwill coverage for many out-of-warranty cars.

Finally, the mileage limit on the warranty is 109,000 miles, not 100,000 miles.

 

thanks for the in depth quick response

 

Thank you for your info. The jerking is in third gear around twenty five (neighborhood speeds). It feels like a minor deceleration and than smooths out to what one would call coasting, no real feeling of slowing down. I must repeat though it is very minor, but I thought it might be a tell.
Thanks

 

does this pertain to the 6sp MT?

 

My understanding is that there is a limitation on the 2003 TLs to only low VIN #s. My transmission went south this morning and I had the car towed to AAMCO. Now I'm not sure if I'm covered under the extension. Is there a definition of coverage by VIN range?

Thanks

 

Here's some info I dug up via Google on the VIN number range:

http://www.autosafety.org/uploads/AcuraTransTSB.pdf

.....All 1999-2002 TL were covered. 2003 TL models with the last 8 of the VIN 3A000001 to 3A019558 EXC Type-S. 2003 Type-S models included 3A000001 to 3A019061. All 2001-2002 Acura 3.2 CL were included.2003 3.2 CL models included ended in VIN 3A000001 to 3A005203......

I wouldn't let AAMCO touch the car until you find out about the coverage. And be aware that Acura has provided goodwill coverage to many out-of-warranty TL's.

 

No. You're good

 

i think there is a routine 4 -> 3 downshift around that speed, or at least there is in my 99...check your manual for minimum recommended speed in each gear. my car has a habit of lurching forward every time i stop as it downshifts from 3 -> 1

 

Hi everyone,

I have a 2002 TL Type-s, I had my tranny replaced in 2007 after it crapped out on me on my way to a camping trip. I have read somewhere that using the SS might mess up the tranny. Is that true?

 

i've an 02 tl-s, just replaced my tranny earlier this year not sure about others but i do not use the SS mode, it is just the bad design of the tranny itself as far as i know.

 

Use of the SS in and of itself does not mess up the tranny--an SS shift at half throttle 3000 rpm is the same as a normal shift at half throttle 3000 rpm. what kills it is when you do SS shifting at 6500rpm full throttle from 2->3 (though that is the weak point of the transmission design and has nothing to do with use of SS).

 

Is there really a difference between Acura trans fluid and standard ATF?

 

YES! DO NOT under any circumstance put in anything other than acura/honda ATF-Z1

to paraphrase the manual: in an emergency you can use the standard dexron stuff but at the earliest opportunity you must flush it out and replace it with the real stuff.

 

so pretty much either way.. if we gas it... we are screw

 

as you would be with any transmission, defective design or not

the gentler you drive it (in general) the longer it lasts...

 

are you in SS 3rd gear so you know you're in 3rd? what's the rpm reading when this is happening?

 

I've heard of the D5 flashing but I noticed the other day that when I turn the key to II for all the gauges to power up, the D5 comes on then turns off? Is this normal? I don't remember seeing it come on before. Did an EGR port/IM cleaning the other day and it's the first time I've noticed it.
Thanks for the help!!

 

To recap: 2000 TL. 123k mi. 6 weeks ago tranny started slipping and gave P0 730 code.

Went to meet w/ service manager for the second time and on 01tl4tl's advice I took him a snack to share with the guys in the shop. First time I went down there he called the district manager and offered me 25% goodwill but I had to buy the PCM for a total of $3200.

This time I told him I was on a tight budget and can't afford a car payment and need the TL to go 3 more years (all true). He asked me if I thought 50% was fair and I said yes. He said the DM was in town this week and he would talk to him then. That was Friday. Today they called and said they would offer me 50% goodwill with the PCM for $2100. So I took it. Makes me wonder if I could have gotten better but I think it's fair considering the age/miles.

Both meetings he mentioned the engine mounts and said they are about $300 + .5 labor if they are bad. So I sort of expect him to tell me they are bad regardless.

So is there a way for me to tell if they are bad if I go down and look at them? Can they jack them up to look damaged?

Anyway, acurazine is a great resource. I've learned a lot here. Thanks to all who have written about thier experiences and who responded to my questions. Hopefully the next time you hear from me she'll be on the road again!

 

has any one thought bout swapping manual transmission form CL into TL?? cuz i was wondering how much wud that cost ... ?? ^o)

 

New member with a 2000TL who is basically scared of having dealership rebuild the tranny. I have read the thousands of responses to this subject (I am so sorry for all of you who are in/gone through this predicament). If I have understood correctly. It is not clear what is actually wrong with these transmissions. Acura has no definitive statement detailing the problem and what the proven modification/solution is. Best I can tell a new one is just the same as the old, and based on this a rebuild now means another one down the road, and over and over again. I drive like Grandpa and all my miles are highway miles...This is the reason the 2nd to 3rd slippage did not show up until 130K.

On one hand I say rebuild and sell. However, I don't want anyone else to be in this situation either.

On the other hand the dealership will give me approximately a 25% discount and the rebuild is warrantied for 3yr/36K (same as a new car). I got 130K out of the first one (new car) so even if it's the same defective one maybe I will get 130K out of it too. Under this scenario $2,800 is worth it to keep the car going.

Do I need to have the torque converter rebuilt too?
Do I need PCM changes too?

What really scares me is that Acura dealership does not give definitive answers.

So I gues my question is what's your opinion? FYI I am a lifelong multiple Honda/Acura owner. I just retired my 98 Accord V6 at 351K without ever having an issue.

 

Good to hear everything worked out for you.

As for the mounts, you can either look and see if they are leaking, or you can have a friend watch as you rev it a little in D and R (while holding down the brakes of course). if the engine moves up a lot that's a good sign ur mounts are gone. also if it slams into R or D...

 

i think a lot of people have done that...see DIY section

 

.

 

I am no expert. I am fairly new as well. But I will tell you my experience so far. 6 weeks ago I was in your shoes. 2000TL 123k mi. Tranny issue. I joined acurazine and read and read and asked questions. Search my posts.

I highly recommend you read posts from members 01tl4tl and Bob_F.

I was able to get 50% goodwill after 2 visits with the SM. They ordered my parts yesterday and I am waiting for a call to take it in. I called and made an apointment each time I went to see him . You must deal with the service manger. Politely ask him to request goodwill warranty assistance from the district manager. 01tl4tl recommends you take donuts or ice cream sandwiches for him to share with the shop.

Honda is supposed to have fixed/improved the problem in 2005 and you want that updated product. Based on what I have read here and several phone calls to multiple dealers you will get a remaunfactued product from the factory (not rebuild yours) including torque converter. If honda provides assitance they will include a PCM for your model year. They will charge for it but apply any goodwill towards it. They think it improves the life of the tranny.

If your money is tight tell him you can't afford a new car and you need 3 more years out of the car and don't want to scrap it. Whatever the case, if you are a single parent, starving student, unemployed...tell him. Cars on the road is good for Acura. Tell him you love the car and have had several honda products. If you have ever serviced the car at the dealer tell him. If you are the original owner tell him!

Again, this was my proplem 6 weeks ago and I am just relaying my experience so far. I didn't even know 2nd gen TLs had a tranny issue till mine crapped out.

Be persistant and polite and maybe you can get more assistance. Good luck!

 

Just bumpin my question..anyone have a response or should i post somewhere else?
Thot I'd keep tranny stuff consolidated in this one ginormous thread..

 

don't give up! i was first presented with 10% goodwill, then 25, then 50, finally 100%.

 

i don't think that indicates a problem with the tranny, especially if you don't have any other driveability problems...

 

No I don't..but I hadn't noticed it come on before and I was just makin sure. Mind goin out to the car n checkin to see if yours comes on?

 

I have a 03 TL and mine died at 93K. They replaced it and picked up 90% of the cost. This was about 4 months ago. I know they took into account the fact that my car was serviced by them, including the fact that I had the Tranny fluid changed by them about a month before it died.

 

Was your VIN in range or out of range?

 

ugh i keep forgetting...i'll try tmrw

 

Well it sucks my visit back to the forums is to post in this thread,

Information on the car: 2001 Tl with 115,000 miles.

If I get the tranny replaced, how much longer can I expect it to last? I've read about people on their 3rd trannys and such. I wan't to be able to drive to 300,000 miles without any issues if I get this tranny replaced.