Transmission problems 03 acura tl s-type
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Transmission problems 03 acura tl s-type
I have an 03 acura tl s-type with 155,000 miles. I bought it new and have never had it in the shop for any repairs just routine maintenance. While driving recently the transmission started to slip the car jerked and the TCS light flickered on the dash. I took it to three different transmission repair shops they all suggested that I needed a new transmission. I don't have the $2500 to $3700 to have it done so it sat in my garage for 3 weeks. I started it a week ago and drove to the store no jerking, no lights flickering it drove normal but I do hear a low humming sound. I have been driving it around the neighborhood and never drive over 40mph in gear D4. Can I get around town like this or will it give out on me.
Administrator
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16,412
Likes: 1,043
Welcome to the forum. 
The forum where you originally posted is meant for problems, comments, and suggestions for the website itself, so I moved your thread to the car specific forum applicable to your vehicle.
The forum where you originally posted is meant for problems, comments, and suggestions for the website itself, so I moved your thread to the car specific forum applicable to your vehicle.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
it will be ok one day,, and act up the next--might go a week or a month ???
once its missing gears, jerking, rpm shoots up..
you have descibed advanced failure symptoms
what others are suggesting that `may` keep it going a little longer,
involves a simple drain and refill of atf--3.4 qts is what it will give up
thru the drain plug..DIY, easier than changing engine oil
USE HONDA ZR-1 atf,, the new stuff (replaces dw-1)
option: used trans- from a crashed honda odessey..out the door installed price ~1500
but--I would not get a used TL trans like that
look for threads on the subject or use the search for odessey trans
once its missing gears, jerking, rpm shoots up..
you have descibed advanced failure symptoms
what others are suggesting that `may` keep it going a little longer,
involves a simple drain and refill of atf--3.4 qts is what it will give up
thru the drain plug..DIY, easier than changing engine oil
USE HONDA ZR-1 atf,, the new stuff (replaces dw-1)
option: used trans- from a crashed honda odessey..out the door installed price ~1500
but--I would not get a used TL trans like that
look for threads on the subject or use the search for odessey trans
10th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
Had the same problem.
Mines always has shifted a little awkwarldly, but one day I used to tiptronic and a day later my tranny went out. I got blessed though and my tranny's getting rebuilt for $1800. God is amazing! <3
Trending Topics
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
total score on the rebuild price!
tiptronic didnt kill the trans,,unless you made one last max rpm downshift from 3rd to 2nd
that will put the hurt on it anytime, let alone after many thousands of miles
break the rebuild in like its a new car,,gentle to normal for 500 miles--no racing but make sure trans works in all ranges
500-1000 more normal and some pushing it,,if something is going to fail this will be the time
5000 miles,,maybe less - replace all the fluid,
there will be a bit of small particulate matter as the new parts wore into each other,,similar to how brakes bed in and surfaces mate
then every year /15kmiles do at least a basic 1 time drain and refill of 3.4 qts
more wont hurt.. and may help trans last longer,,
its our best defense/insurance against early wearout- keep the oil changed and it stays cleaner- works better to cool the parts
tiptronic didnt kill the trans,,unless you made one last max rpm downshift from 3rd to 2nd
that will put the hurt on it anytime, let alone after many thousands of miles
break the rebuild in like its a new car,,gentle to normal for 500 miles--no racing but make sure trans works in all ranges
500-1000 more normal and some pushing it,,if something is going to fail this will be the time
5000 miles,,maybe less - replace all the fluid,
there will be a bit of small particulate matter as the new parts wore into each other,,similar to how brakes bed in and surfaces mate
then every year /15kmiles do at least a basic 1 time drain and refill of 3.4 qts
more wont hurt.. and may help trans last longer,,
its our best defense/insurance against early wearout- keep the oil changed and it stays cleaner- works better to cool the parts
Banned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 113
From: Charlotte, NC
it will be ok one day,, and act up the next--might go a week or a month ???
once its missing gears, jerking, rpm shoots up..
you have descibed advanced failure symptoms
what others are suggesting that `may` keep it going a little longer,
involves a simple drain and refill of atf--3.4 qts is what it will give up
thru the drain plug..DIY, easier than changing engine oil
USE HONDA ZR-1 atf,, the new stuff (replaces dw-1)
option: used trans- from a crashed honda odessey..out the door installed price ~1500
but--I would not get a used TL trans like that
look for threads on the subject or use the search for odessey trans
once its missing gears, jerking, rpm shoots up..
you have descibed advanced failure symptoms
what others are suggesting that `may` keep it going a little longer,
involves a simple drain and refill of atf--3.4 qts is what it will give up
thru the drain plug..DIY, easier than changing engine oil
USE HONDA ZR-1 atf,, the new stuff (replaces dw-1)
option: used trans- from a crashed honda odessey..out the door installed price ~1500
but--I would not get a used TL trans like that
look for threads on the subject or use the search for odessey trans
on a positive note, your tranny lasted 155k miles which is a lot more than an average life span for these transmissions.
good luck with your tranny, shop around. I have called a few places around where i live and found prices range from 1900 to 2200 for a rebuild tranny with install and 1 year warranty.
good luck with your tranny, shop around. I have called a few places around where i live and found prices range from 1900 to 2200 for a rebuild tranny with install and 1 year warranty.
Cruisin'
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: westchester, NY
I have an 03 s-type I bought at 90k the tranny still seems ok but dose fell a lil funny from time to time. I've owned the car about 2 years and some change and it now has 105k on it.
1-what's the best advice to keep my tranny from the problems you guys are describing.
2- also when it's time for a rebuild what's the best way to go, oddsey tranny, 07 tranny, I just wanna get the most for my time and money?
3-what else should I replace while I'm changing the tranny?
Thanks in advance
1-what's the best advice to keep my tranny from the problems you guys are describing.
2- also when it's time for a rebuild what's the best way to go, oddsey tranny, 07 tranny, I just wanna get the most for my time and money?
3-what else should I replace while I'm changing the tranny?
Thanks in advance
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33,535
Likes: 1,142
have you done any fluid changes on trans?
get it on the new dw1 honda fluid, thats getting good results
clean the 2 external shift selenoids or replace
replace external atf filter
dont use SS to downshift into 3 or 2 at max rpm
3rd gear clutchpack especially weak point, excess heat is not its friend~
get it on the new dw1 honda fluid, thats getting good results
clean the 2 external shift selenoids or replace
replace external atf filter
dont use SS to downshift into 3 or 2 at max rpm
3rd gear clutchpack especially weak point, excess heat is not its friend~
Cruisin'
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: westchester, NY
have you done any fluid changes on trans?
get it on the new dw1 honda fluid, thats getting good results
clean the 2 external shift selenoids or replace
replace external atf filter
dont use SS to downshift into 3 or 2 at max rpm
3rd gear clutchpack especially weak point, excess heat is not its friend~
get it on the new dw1 honda fluid, thats getting good results
clean the 2 external shift selenoids or replace
replace external atf filter
dont use SS to downshift into 3 or 2 at max rpm
3rd gear clutchpack especially weak point, excess heat is not its friend~
Cruisin'
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: westchester, NY
have you done any fluid changes on trans?
get it on the new dw1 honda fluid, thats getting good results
clean the 2 external shift selenoids or replace
replace external atf filter
dont use SS to downshift into 3 or 2 at max rpm
3rd gear clutchpack especially weak point, excess heat is not its friend~
get it on the new dw1 honda fluid, thats getting good results
clean the 2 external shift selenoids or replace
replace external atf filter
dont use SS to downshift into 3 or 2 at max rpm
3rd gear clutchpack especially weak point, excess heat is not its friend~
1st Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
type s cl was just rebuilt and it still shifts a little funny but works great.no slips or bangs into gears and i got 155000 on it.before it was rebuilt it used to whine and kinda not know what gear to go into from a crawl ing stop to going again.and that was way before 100000. so take it easy on it and you can get another 50000 or so out of it
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mada51589
3G TL Problems & Fixes
80
Jan 9, 2025 04:40 PM
Zonian22
Member Cars for Sale
3
Nov 14, 2015 01:20 PM
Mike Bertram
2G TL (1999-2003)
9
Sep 10, 2015 09:27 AM
asahrts
Member Cars for Sale
0
Sep 4, 2015 05:55 PM
02, 2002, 2003, 2012, acura, discussions, fluid, problems, recall, tl, tls, tranny, transmission, transmissions, type
