gambitnuke

iTrader: (3)

Yea called, not sounding so good yet. That's the only thing I have ever gone there for. Everything else I do myself or my tech does.
Anyway I'll be going there Thursday so they can check it out and report it to Acura. Just missed the 12/12 =(

'02_TL-S

He's old..prob never passes 3k rpm
Haha..I kid bonk, I kid. But I'll prob be the one buying your parts when you sell your car so let's hope for my sake this one goes out soon.
I kid again!! GL with new tranny!!

bonknhead

Even though I'm old, I drive "spirited", lol. Believe me, I take advantage of all my mods every time I drive even though, IMO, they're not much. Three for power and only shocks and springs? There are dozens of more modded 2G TLs on this forum.

Hey 02_TL-S, whenever I do get rid of my car, if you're still around I'll give you first dibs. Promise.

russianDude

I know general consensus that how you drive has nothing to do with when transmission fails, but certainly hard driving won't make transmission last longer.... Of course there are cases when transmissions fail after 20-40 miles of granny driving, but those are just really bad ones.... But I think most of the "original" transmissions hold to 80-100K miles. And now with the post Feb 2005, maybe you can get 150K miles out of it (provided its a good rebuild and correct install). And of course the keyword is "maybe" Would anyone agree with me that the latest transmission should hold 100K miles in 90% of the cases?

webmastir

So, I recently had my tranny rebuilt. I noticed that it didn't catch a gear earlier today(just reved as I was coasting at like 5mph. I had to wait for it to come back down - let off gas then tap gas again & it was fine.).
It's been almost a week since I picked back up my car.
I didn't just bring it to some random transmission shop to get it repaired. I did my research, and this guy came highly recommended from several trustworthy people(who know shit about cars) around my area. This guy has done MANY Honda related tranny rebuilds and is aware of some of it's design flaws.
So anyway, can this happen out of the blue, or should I be pretty worried about this - & pay close attention to it? Wonder what it could be that caused it to just not accelerate at all?

Will Rickards

Looking at used cars. Found a 2000 acura TL with 174K miles. Transmission was serviced/replaced at 94K. Should I run or buy? Car is nice otherwise but I'm concerned about it not lasting.

'02_TL-S

4-speeds aren't affected as much as the 5-speeds are. But there are members here with 99-01s that have tranny probs as well. Test drive is best way to see if it has probs..make sure downshifts are quick and RPMs don't shoot up before gear catches..some call it the "cruise and stomp"..get it to highway speed and floor it. Harsh shifts = run away. Shifts ok = get a warranty from dealer if buying it from a lot. If from private seller, I'd be cautious. Ultimately a great car except for these probs.

webmastir

That'd be a good concern IMO, but I'll let the others, who actually know what they're talking about, chime in

Bob_F

Only the 1999 TL had a 4-speed transmission. A 5-speed is used in the 2000-2003 model years.

Bob_F

80,000 miles on the replacement transmission is a lot. Some 2nd gen TL owners have experienced multiple transmission failures before reaching 100,000 miles.

If it was replaced before February of 2005 then it won't have the design improvements released then.

Unless the price was super low, I wouldn't buy it unless it had an aftermarket warranty or if you can afford $3,000 to $4,000 to replace the transmission.

Silva-type-s

iTrader: (3)

so my car got stuck in 2nd gear last night. funny thing was i had already put the car back in automatic. i shifted into tiptronic and shifted back and it still wouldnt go i finally put it in tiptroinc shifted to third myself and then put it back...... havent had a problem since...........now my tranny was replaced in May of 08 so i shouldnt be having this problem because if the improvements right..... should i be worried? is this a early tranny fail sign? or is it one of those electronic things that can be fixed.... my cruise control does not work sometimes either. WTF?

kennedyhuynh

with 3,500 where would you guys go? the dealership? or some tranny shop? I am now afraid of taking it to Aamco because they won't give me a "worst case price" over the phone...

webmastir

i couldn't afford $3500-$4k, like most here. where do you guys keep this kind of spare money?

anyway, i had to bring it to a local shop guy who has done a nut ton honda related tranny rebuilds. he knew his shit, and he was aware of the 'design flaws' that happen in my type of tranny. i got him to rebuild it for a little over $2k. it really all comes down to how much $$ you have i guess...? if you have it to spare, then you should get the remanufactured transmission done at a stealership. it'll last longer, most likely. my

russianDude

consider also the warranty, Acura for $3,500 will give you 3yr/36K. You might save $1000 with Aamco, but they will give you 12K/1yr, and if you buy extra warranty from them it will be pretty close to Acura. So I'd go with Acura, stay away from chains... unless you know some private shop and those guys are experts in what they do.

daimler560

I'll put in my two cents here--2003 TL-S, trans failed last week with 54k on the clock. My VIN number was out of range, but due to the condition of the car+low miles, Acura has paid for all costs associated with the repair+loaner car.

Silva-type-s

iTrader: (3)

^ if you're under 109,000 miles you should be covered without a doubt

'02_TL-S

But he was outta vin range like bonknhead who ended up paying like 2 Gs. bonk was also under 109k but he was getting close.
I just wish Acura would make their response the same across the board. Not this you get it free, you have to pay some and you over there are SOL crap. So annoying...

Silva-type-s

iTrader: (3)

o that's right the vin range only applies to certain cars.... i believe im out of vin range also

'02_TL-S

Bummer man..I'm in vin range cuz I gotta 02



















But I got 157k miles
On original too
:andknockingonwoodhardrightnow:

Silva-type-s

iTrader: (3)

i have an 03 with 111k

bonknhead

Yeah, I was at 105K when my tranny died. I talked to the service manager and Acura but the only goodwill was bringing the price down from the initially-quoted $4200 to $2800. A fewthings were not in my favor:

1) I only went to the Acura dealer once in the 3 1/2 years I've had my car, for a $200 brake pad replacement

2) My 2003 TL-S was out of the VIN range

3) Again, my TL-S had 105K miles on the odometer

I'm good though. I got a 3yr/36month warranty on the tranny. I'll keep it for a few more years then sell it off before the warranty expires.

daimler560

A portion of it is luck too. I went to Serramonte Acura in Daly City, CA--and had a fantastic service writer. He called Acura on my behalf and within 2 days he got the green light from Acura to pay for the repairs on my car--I never had to call Client Services. I never went to the Dealer for services either--but I am the original owner.

samplemonster

Friend is looking into purchasing a 160k mile 99' tl,

Owner says no trans problems and it affected only some units,

If up till 160, trans is good, do you guys think its good for good?

Thanks

niju321

No. A mechanical failure can happen at any time, and with that mileage and age, it is highly unlikely that your friend would receive any assistance from Acura should the transmission fail ("new" factory replacements are $3-4000).

niju321

Impressive...were you within the age/mileage limits?

Bob_F

No, I wouldn't think that it's "good for good". (The original transmission in my 1999 TL failed at 173,000 miles.)

glorijo

I am having a similar problem with the gears. It seems like it is slipping from 1st to 2nd gear. If I'm in 1st gear, let off accelerator, then hit it a lil bit(like going around a turn), then it pauses a split second and jerks as it goes back into gear. I am assuming the tranny is on its way out the door.

I just got this 99 TL in June from private seller with 92.6K miles on it. Now I have 104,500 on it. I believe I read that they extended the warranty on this one to 105k. Am I right? Should I hurry into the dealer? I want to be prepared and know my stuff before I go.

chakamone

I have 2002 tl s, which had the orig transmission replaced at 96000 miles, now at 171000 second transmission failing anything Honda will do for customers. Any discounts or concessions offered. Right now the car is at the dealer who is talking to Honda home office as to any solution. I am hearing about 4200 dollars to replace. Any tactic i should take with Honda home office. Any suggetions would help.


Thank You

webmastir

bend over?

markob83

Whats up guys? So Ive owned my 01 tl for about a month (love it) and a couple days ago on a cold morning I was driving and the tranny barely caught third gear. The rpms shot way up and it finally caught. Has anyone experienced a problem like this? I've seen a lot of tranny horror stories on this thread and I dont wanna be shelling out tons of cash for a car that has 100k on it. Any sugguestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Quick note: I just got done replacing the trans fluid with AMS synthetic.

chakamone

NO!!! the tranny will go out again like my second did about the same mile range!!!

russianDude

please tell us the year/month in which they replaced your first transmission. This is important as there were improvements made after 2005, or so Honda claims....

chakamone

Anybody in the Houston area know competent shop who can install a transmission in an TL type s. The dealer wants $5100, because acura is not willing to help. i was going to order the transmission from prestige acura in california.

Severin

Mine started slipping into 3rd gear tonight.
I had 88K on the first tranny (replaced Jan '05).
I put 92K on the replacement to date.

Will start looking into a replacement this week.

ac-inblack

2003 with 96000 miles and it went. My Vin # not included in the lawsuit No goodwill. i tried the service manager and acura.With no luck. i sobbed and pleaded. I didnt buy the car from acura and serviced it myself. Anyway the dealer told me 4100 for the tranni and possibly 1100 for i believe a torque converter if needed.(i think it was the torque converter. Could be wrong) This sounds very high to me even for a dealer? Anybody agree? Can anybody tell me how much they paid for a transmission full price? Anybody know what the warranty is on that? Cause lord knows it will happen again. Love the car and have a good amount of money into it too.

ac-inblack

Nevermind the warranty part. i saw the 3 yr/36000 above

ac-inblack

As I posted two posts up, my transmission went. The dealer wants 4100 for the transmission and 1060 if it needs a pcm. I was under the impression that the later 2003 were not included in the lawsuit because they had the computer pcm thing. If mine doesnt then why am i not included. I coould be confused because i have talked to so many people and have read so much on this situation its kind of blurring together. The service writer says that they will not know if i need the pcm until they ship my transmission. If it doesnt ship with one i wont need it. ( don't really understnad this). Is there anybody that can explain it to me? Also does anybody think 4100 is high for a dealer? Should non dealer transmission shops know about this pcm thing? Any help would be appreciated.

JRA2000TL

They want $4100 and won't help you at all? Here's what you do. Take it to AAMCO or the cheapest tranny rebuild place you can find. Get it done for about $2200; then dump the car.

There's no way I'd put $4100 into a $5k car. My LGM is in excellent condition with only 70k and I would NOT put $4k into it.

Scott S.

Okay TL-S guys I've got a question for you on my 2002 TL-S and the tranny. My first tranny went out with 27445 miles and was replaced by Acura on 12-Dec-2003. Then on 27-Dec-2004 and 41552 miles the recall came in and the dealer installed the oil jet kit ( I assume ATF lube pipe?).

Well the car now has 121,000 on it and I'm getting ready to do the big tune up on it and one of the items I've considered having done is the tranny fluid replaced or flushed/replaced. Based on the comments I'm seeing I'm wondering if I shouldn't even do that and just leave it alone. I'm not sure if I will ever have a problem with the tranny again, but not sure I want to risk it either.

I called my local dealer and told them and he said all you guys who have had problems (2-4 tranny is not driver error) after a fluid change had the problem before and that is why it failed. Personally I think this is BS and when I asked him to give me a guarantee the new fluid won't harm the tranny he said he could not do that.

So what do you guys think I should do? (1) Get the tranny fluid changed and cross my fingers (2) Leave the fluid as it is and cross my fingers or (3) sell the POS and let someone else deal with it.

'02_TL-S

^Do not flush!! Drain and refill is the only way to keep things from getting harmed. Machine flushes will send things downhill very quickly.

Do the flush yourself. If your fluid isn't very dirty, just do it once. If it's very dirty, drain and refill until red. Clean the magnet plug as well!!
Note: when you drain, ~3 quarts will drain out. Just refill by taking oil jet kit out and adding fluid through that hole. Much easier for those with the kit because bolt (on those without the kit) is very hard to break loose.

In between each drain and refill, ONLY AFTER ADDING FLUID TO APPROPRIATE LEVEL, drive for ~10 mins and have transmission go through EVERY shift. This will get fluid from TC out into case to be drained as well.