Hey everyone. I'm in Canada, and as of recently the weather has gotten very cold. I've noticed that if my '02 TL-S sits outside in the cold for a period of time, for instance in the morning, the car shifts into Drive from Park very slow (3-5 seconds) depending on how cold it is outside. Once it's driven, everything is fine. I've changed the transmission fluid with ATF from the local Acura Dealer about 25,000 kms ago.

Has anyone had this problem with their TL before or maybe know what may be the issue?

Thanks

 

Is it completely on the new DW-1 fluid? you did a full 9 qt change out?

may have crud on the 2 external shift solenoids- screens clog up- can be unscrewed and cleaned

 

I did a drain and refill with DW-1 fluid.
Any idea where the external shift solenoids are located and how to clean them?
Thanks.

 

Could also be aging rubber seals that would expand and only hold pressure when warmed up. In that case is best to let the car warm up a bit before driving and see if it makes a difference.

 

Letting the car warmup before driving certainly helps, but the lag is still there since the temperature dropped.

 

I believe it is normal behavior on the 2nd gen when it is too cold. warming up is needed and make sure your spin atf filter is replaced frequently, i would say around 80k, and fluid is drain/fill every 30k

 

look in the diy section for cleaning procedure
diy list is 4th item down the main gen2 TL thread list--in lighter color type than active threads below it

 

Hey everyone.
So the transmission was only getting worse, so I decided to get an AV6 swap. The swap went well and the car drives well. Gear changing is quicker and smoother than the old transmission. I was fortunate to get a hold of a transmission with low mileage. The transmission I bought was from a 2007 Honda Accord V6 with 99,000km.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thead

 

You changed your trans with an AV6 swap just because of lag? Man some people have the moneyzzzz

 

Being in Canada, his sense of urgency may be different from yours. If his trans were to fail he might be eaten by wolves; if your trans fails, you might have to wait at a winery or something, and possibly get sunburned.

 

^

It could have ended up with no drive at a worst moment.

 

hahahahahahaha @ TLer... Quite true...

 

Believe me.The transmission got really bad. Got to the point where it wouldn't even go into drive or reverse at all. And when it did, it would slip like no tomorrow once it went past 3rd gear. I had to drive all the way to the shop in 3rd gear.

 

A sudden change in transmission behavior is usually a sign of something is wrong. Even when it gets -26F here (-32C) all I have to do is let the car run for 30 seconds or so and drive off. Transmission is SLIGHTLY slower to engage from park to R or D but not noticeably so.

These units have a crap load of internal screen filters and those things get clogged over time. while you CAN clean the ones on the shift solenoids, the valve body ones are inaccessible without tearing down the transmission...

 

looks like 5th item now.