not just dealer, all are reman. they dont make these trannies anymore.

 

all new trannies come with redesigned ECU/PCM chip that changes shift points to make transmission last longer. It is highly debatable if this new ECU calibration does any good to prolong the life of tranny. Unfortunately, the dealer probably will decline the work if you dont put new ECU....

 

there is a list of the certain VINS that need the update-you can view it here on azine at bottem of diy list page,,or look up online-
all the rest are ok
for example my 01-not on the list,,didnt require part when it got its trans

thats way overpriced as well- they are getting what,, $3500 4000 for the trans?
--thats basically retail price,and 1500 for a normally $900 (?) part?

are you talking with a service writer,,, or the actual service manager
writers work on commission--you figure it out from there....

then contact the manager about being bent over by the front desk

mention you would be happy to give them perfect 10s on the survey card and phone and email surveys if requested,,if they can take better care of you
at this point--you should not be happy about the price or them not bothering to look up what was needed on this VIN

whats next- the didnt run the VIN for any new recalls?

there is a new recall for airbag inflators on some year/vins

 

p1740 tranny failure...... sweet right before i was about to buy my new atlp exhaust. and my miles are 130,000.... anyone have some suggestions?? i have new speakers and headers i bought over winter to put on the car as well...was so excited for summer and now this...

 

the standard question: any relationship with the dealer? any reason for acura to cut you a break on their $4000+ price?

you have the recall-oil jet kit installed?

start cking local shops for actual experience in the TL trans and pricing
expect $2500 as a realistic number

were you unaware of the trans problem??

 

Just recently had the transmission start to go out on my wifes 2003 TL. 98,500 miles and not a covered VIN according to Acura's website. This vehicle was purchased certified used. Based on the pictures on the previous pages the tranmission in the car now is also is a replacement (blue bolts).

The Acura dealer the car was purchased at is 40 miles away and I didn't want to risk driving it that far. We took it to the local Honda dealership and had them look at it. No surprise it was the 3rd gear clutch pack. They are quoting $5650 out the door. This is the location we have had all the oil changes done to the vehicle, no other services have been needed up to this point. My question is, what is the best way to go about trying to get some goodwill assistance? call and speak to the service manager at the Honda dealership or call the dealership where it was purchased? Or do I try corporate Acura? What should I say to increase my chances of getting assistance?

Thanks for all the info in these threads, it's helped a lot.

 

No - they have not started work on the car yet - I had it diagnosed and after 3.5 days they are telling me I need a new tranny ( which I knew going in ) and a new ECU chip - total $5100. My question is if I decide to do a rebuild at a shop instead do I still need a new ECU chip? $5100 is ridicules. I had no codes or blinking lights before I took it in to be diagnosed. Why would the chip need to be replaced? Thanks

 

its an update to the engine control unit program = ECU
changes shift points slightly and who knows what else

honda cannot do acura warranty or goodwill stuff- they are seperate for that.
acura corp may accept honda diagnostic- call 800 382 2238 x5,,ask for a real manager to call you back about getting goodwill
see last 4 pages of this thread regarding goodwill- how to obtain~
the vin cutoff is bs,,if you are in miles and time they should hook you up

Is there an acura dealer closer by- doesnt have to be selling dealer

 

btw I am new to this thread. Is 2k good price for new tranny, motor mounts, and 3/36 warranty for TL S with 60k and 1 year out of trans extended warranty? I am original owner bought 2003 TL s nav in 5/2002.

 

anything you can get beats 4 grand
If you have a good service history with the dealer,oil changes,, it never hurts to ask if they can do a little better for you, speak with the service MANAGER
acura corp often makes a first offer then will come down if the manager puts in a good word for you,,reasons why to help you more,,own 4 acuras etc

but 2g for new 1-2 motor mounts and trans with 3/36..go for it! even if they dont offer more

outside shops get 2500+ to rebuild, and acuras will come in a post 2005 case design with better oil flow and the oil jet to 2nd gear moved internal

 

02 tl with 144k on the clock. bought used with the tranny replaced. yesterday cruising the highway at 80mph i see smoke in the rearview and stop immediately. getout andlook underneath and fluid is running from what looks like everywhere on the left side of the tranny. fluid spatterred all over the wheel well and even into the fan and radiator well area. I cant peg it. I did limp home at 35-40mph with no further fluid loss. I got home and added 3 quarts and drove it to the shop without any more fluid loss. What the hell happened? i cleaned the area with brake cleaner but no visible sign of leak. I did remove the wheel to see if it was the shaft seal and negative. At the shop now. Any ideas? Thanks

 

overfilled trans?

 

01Tl my mechanic concurs. Trannyshop wants $2500 for a rebuild saying it drops in and out of first at a stop. I only feel a very short stutter then lurch from zero.

 

will acura replace my transmission for free if it breaks but has less than 100,000 miles on it.

 

Replaced how long ago/mileage? Paperwork or warranty?

 

if your car is part of the extended warranty, its 7 years plus 9 months or 109kmiles -whichever occurs first
thats from date first sold new by acura, you can get that info at 1 800 382 2238x5 or your dealer can run the vin and get same info

total time would be your issue now
they dont just hand out the trans!!

 

T sr,,the shop feels a pressure situation inside caused it to blow out the fluid?
any more details?
slamming into 1st is never a good sign
2500 is average price assuming needs the standard rebuild kit

whats important is how many of these the shop has actually done- and that tech still works there and will be doing yours?
Noobs have more problems with the assembly than you want to know,,and will be returning under warranty for-
thats after they do 3 times rebuilding it,,getting to to even leave the shop

 

Mine is 03 with 145K miles, still the org. tranny. Replace tranny fluid every 20K miles, hope it will continue last, just like my 97 Accord with 284K miles now, but it's about to retire due to the smog failed.

 

So my story is that I bought my 2003 TL w/Nav about 5 years ago at 40k miles, still covered under the standard 50k/5Yr bumper to bumper warranty. THANKFULLY the transmission failed at about 48k so Acura Replaced that one for no cost, no questions asked. At the time I was told that the new transmission was covered for 3 years or 36k miles (which I found out later was wrong). So at about 34k miles on the new transmission I start to notice it shifting hard and kicking. Also when it was cold... it would take a few extra seconds for drive gears to engage. I took it to Acura ASAP because that is exactly what it did the first time too. They drove it multiple times and even had a manager drive it and told me there was nothing wrong. 4k miles later as I am driving home from work. The transmission has a total failure. I was able to limp home driving slowly and sort of gently pumping the gas to get the car moving. Had it towed to Acura and referred them to my previous visit 3 months prior when it was still covered by warranty (so I thought). I found out that the new one that they installed was NOT covered by a warranty because I didn't pay for the repairs. They quoted me about $3800 to rebuild it.

I very politely and calmly told them I had no intention of spening $3800 to replace a transmission that only had 38k miles on it. In sort of a cocky manner the service manager replied "Well how long do you think a transmission should last". To which I calmly replied... "well certainly longer than my brake pads." He had no rebuttal for that one.

The squeeky wheel always gets grease... you just have to know how to squeak and where to squeak to. They have a choice which is to eat the cost of the repairs or to deal with an angry customer for a day or two. You have to make it easier for them just to eat the cost. Per my request, they contacted their local Acura corp rep who offered to cover 25% of the repair. I told them they needed to bump that up about 75%. They told me they were sorry and that there was the best that they could do. Again I politely but firmly told them I would get the result I was seeking and that it would just take more time and energy than I had hoped.

I immediately contacted the city where the dealership is located to ask about the legality of protesting the dealership. They said that they don't require a permit however that I could not be on the dealership's propetry or blocking access to the dealership. Luckily for me, the dealership sits on a service road to a freeway so across the street from them is a grassy area that belongs to the city. The city confirmed that it would be legal for me to protest there.

I then contacted a local sign company who quoted me a price of about $200 to have huge 4 x 4 foot magnetic lemons made that I could stick on the doors, hood and trunk of my car.

With this information in hand I wrote my service manager a very polite, however direct email telling them all of this information and that effective that weekend I would be protesting in front of their dealership every Saturday and Sunday (their busiest days) and every weekend thereafter indefinately until my transmission was paid for. The key here is that because I had information about local laws and a qutoe for professional looking media, they knew I was not just making angry, idle threats because I fully planned on actually DOING it. I was very nice and professional in my email. I told them that I really like their delaership and that they have always done VERY good, professional work however that I was very dissapointed in Acura Corporate for not standing behind their products. blah blah blah. With any business I have found that if you just go all "ghetto" on them and insult them and cuss them out... they have NO incentive to help you because even if they fix your problem, you will still hate them. They know that so when you go off on them... they just give up and let you whine until you leave. I made sure they knew that although I was dissapointed in Acura, I still planned on being a loyal customer to their dealership. So I digress... My logic was that if by protesting them, if I could lose them even just a sale or two... it would have been cheaper for them just to fix my transmission and shut me up. I was right.

Within the hour of sending the email to my service manager, the General Manager of the dealership called me back. The first thing he said to me was "nice email". He said that they were prepared to cover 100% of my transmission however that he "recommended" that I pay at least $500 of it because then I WOULD get the 3 year 36k warranty. I happily agreed because my immediate fear was that even if they replaced it, what if it went out in 25k miles or something.

So they replaced it for $500. I don't know if Acura corp ever ended up paying for it or if the dealership just ate it however I didn't care as long as it didn't cost me $3800 bucks. I think the ultimate key first if all is to stay calm and polite but assertive and confident. That freaks people out way more than if you just act like a jerk. Most people act like jerks in situations like this and most people get nothing. Be smart. Get your facts together and be prepared to ACTUALLY back up your words with actions. Threatening to sue them is stupid because you would easily lose your case and they know that 99% of people won't actually do it anyways. Also again make sure you confront them as a satisfied customer who is trying to get an issue corrected, not as someone who hates them and makes it you vs. them. Play good cop, bad cop and make "Acura Corp" the bad cop and the dealership the "good cop". That way they have an easy out and so do you.

Good luck!!!

Anyways again since I don't know who actually ended up covering my repair, I don't know if it will work for you the same way it did for me however I think if you follow my advice you will have the best possible chance. Also if you have a choice, pick the largest Acura dealership in your area because they will likely have more resources than smaller ones. Plus if they do a lot of sales, protesting them could have a much larger impact than a smaller one.

 

long story short, never deal with a service writer!!!- start with the service MANAGER and if they get to a point of saying acura wont help beyond xx$,,
and you have a legit claim such as the one just posted,,
then the GM of the dealer can do whatever they want- its their $
dealers are private companies that pay acura to be a franchise

Bad publicity is acuras worst fear and enemy
those survey cards you get? anything less than all 10s is a failing grade to corp!

if corp kicked in half of `retail price` , the dealer can eat the much smaller differance at `wholesale cost`
it used to be $300 to purchase the 3/36,,,it may have gone up or at least the dealer got to make back what they paid the tech and materials= thats fair
whatever the differance in cost of the trans to the dealer is the unknown

It shouldnt have to get to the extreme--
after SM contacts regional acura warranty rep- if their decision doesnt please you-make a 2nd request to show you are serious
if you get stalled with no possible movement to agreement= there is a level above them you can call at corp office in LA

They appreciate it if you follow that path... before jumping in front of the media
Web postings of negative feedback really bothers them too~

glad yours did resolve, a note of thanks to the dealer always goes over well at weekly meetings

 

how gritted do you think the GM's teeth were as he wrote nice email

while thinking,,you frikken goemslfejilvsdnkl zdfxmk/l!!!

 

Absolutely. I made sure to give them all 10's on the survey and then a couple months later I came back to them to have my timing belt service, tuneup and some other work done totaling about 3k so they would know I appreciated them resolving it. Ultimately I am happy with the outcome and maybe this tranny will last a bit longer.

 

change 3 qts of atf every year to keep it going

 

I'm looking at two TL's, One is an 01 with 164k miles for 6200 the other is an 02 with 107k miles for 5900. My question is, if either has at least the kit installed is it worth the risk or is it in my best interest to just stay away?

 

the oil jet kit was a recall item- free
some trans were replaced on the spot due to heat damage found with boroscope exam
Others were covered under a court orderd 7 year 9 month/109kmiles warranty
to tell if the trans has been replaced with a warranty unit- look for blue paint on bolt heads to trans main bolts and small parts attached to trans

the car with 107 probably needs the 105 service =$1200 at shop
the car with 164 hopefully had the 105!!

either way I think most of us agree- buy a gen2 TL now without 3 grand sitting in your pocket to replace the trans- is crazy
its a great car,, but right at some expense points

 

2002 Acura TL Type S 84k 2nd tranny out 4/22/2010

 

have you started the goodwill assistance request yet?
any reason for acura to cut you some slack?

 

I bought the 01. I jumped on it after I called Acura and asked for service records, which they didn't have, but were able to tell me that the tranny was replaced under warranty in Dec 05. I'm hoping that means I won't have any problems with it.

 

keep up with fluid changes, replace the external filter, and clean the selenoids
thats all you can do to prolong its life
besides not downshifting into 3rd or 2nd at max rpm-repeatedly-without purpose

 

'03 TL Type S 138k on it. I'm the 3rd owner. First owner was a lease and 2nd was some old man. Both had regular maintenance AT Acura Dealerships, including getting the trans replaced at 68k. The other day set the cruise at 70mph and 2k rpm. all of a sudden it goes up to 4500 rpm but stays at 70mph then drops back down to 2000. im like wtf... I get the VSA, Check Engine and "!" light, no D5 flashing light. Bring it to my local Acura dealer and they said its the transmission, but the best they can do is 5% Goodwill - New trans, new ecu for $4000... Is there a way I can get them to pay for more of their f#cked up transmission because 5% is basically them politely teabagging me and telling me to pay them $4k .. Any suggestions on getting a better deal on this "goodwill" warranty?

 

If you were the original owner, had service history with the dealer where YOU spent money,
family bought 4 acuras etc,,then acura has reason to keep you happy
In this case- the car already got a free trans, as far as they are concerned that made it to 109kmiles--and the curent trans went 70,,excellent!
they have NO legal liabilty beyond that point--goodwill is based on merit and you are not stating any so far

you have a car VIN that requires the ecu which cost extra
start calling local trans shops--expect 2500 actual cost, which cannot be determined until the trans is removed and taken apart- inspected-measured- what extras needed..

look in Regions link for your local area- ask ziners in there for referral

 

^ Thanks.. i figured as much.. father in law is good buddies with a few places and bringing it to one today. just thought i'd see if there was a way around getting bent over the acura barrel first. wish me luck! i love my car

 

i keep hearing of this website where you can check your VIN to see what has been done, or what will be covered. the layout of this forum is confusing and Im stuck in Iraq with super slow, spotty, shitty internet. Please, any help would be very much appreciated.

 

New to the site wish I had seen it before purchasing my 02 TL. Close to 100,000 miles and 7 year extended warranty when I purchased it. Fast forward to last 6 months, had tranny fluid changed no big deal. Last oil change mechanic said tranny fluid was burnt and needed to be changed, took it back to original mechanic that did the first flush, asked for repeat, questioned competency, was told they didn't get it"that" clean last time but would make sure they did it right this time... started having "slipping" in first and second gear as soon as I picked it up. Following week still slipping in 1st and 2nd and making a horrible noise when it gets up to 35 MPH. So... after reading several post, will changing the 3rd and 4th pressure switches and tranny fluid to honda Z1 or redline correct the problem? Love the car but at this stage I think I would rather lease than own and acura, then the tranny issues would be there problem not mine. Appreciate any advice you can give.

 

cody b--thank you for your service overseas--stay safe and rejoin the ziners in person soon! we will help get the TL back in driving condition then

If you have the cars VIN with you- in the diy list here is the range of covered vins for various recalls
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/

and you can register online with acura and look up your cars history-need VIN
http://owners.acura.com/registration...istration.aspx
ck recall section there for your car history

if car in the States: have a buddy look at the trans bolts- if blue paint on bolt heads its a warranty replaced unit
If a large bolt `with ATF stamped on it is present` top center, its a post 2005 replacement-the better ones!
if the external oil jet kit is present and blue bolt heads its a pre 2005 warranty replacement

no blue paint = original trans

 

lisae: when a shop changes the fluid with the normal acura method of `drain and refill` they only get 3 of the 7.4 qts total out
So the next day another shop would say its dirty as new and old is mixed

the first place- what fluid EXACTLY did they use? dextron3 will kill a TL trans and is stricly forbidden in the owner book
and the 2nd place--same question--what fluid and how many qts?

you are describing some bad symptoms
but lets not get ahead here..what fluid went in? = the shop is liable for your trans

 

Hi guys, finally got transmission rebuild paid 2000$ for it, now it's much better than before, but I still can feel how it changes geers from first to second, other geers are fine I can't feel them at all. And when I'm braking at traffic light I feel how it goes down from 2nd to 1st. Also there was transmission oil smell. Is that ok or should I take car back to shop to check it again ?
In additional to that car vibrates harder that before for some reason.

 

while there is some break-in period to get full smoothness- smells are not a part of it!

private shop did the job? find out EXACTLY what fluid they used--
only a few are good for the TL and others are downright fatal!!

ck the atf level--a little off may be enough for your symptoms
from dead cold-do 15 minutes easy cruise on freeway
get off and park in safe level space
trans in PARK - engine OFF- remove yellow handle dipstick on driver side of car
wipe clean and insert fully
remove and read- needs to be BETWEEN the UPPER 2 dots
not at either--between them,,
fluid indicated level changes with operational heat, so this procedure gets it at a certain point

some cars have a `lowest` 3rd dot,, for techs to ck cold, but users should do it warm for accuracy

 

New to this thread. Im now having transmission issue on 2000TL and it has 110k mile on it. Just went to the shop and got P0700 code. The guy there told me to have a new tranny which cost 2000. Should I just go for it or ask local acura dealership to see what they offer? Any other suggestion?

 

do you have an outstanding relationship with the dealer?
any reason for acura to help you 3 years past warranty extension?

2 grand is a great deal, make sure what they plan or did replace, selenoids cleaned or replaced? torque covertor new or rebuilt? kevlar aftermarket clutches?

No NEW trans--only rebuilt and the case changed in 2005

possibles: bad motor mounts-- cheaper labor to replace then,,front and sometimes pass side also are bad about trans time