I have a 2001 TL and there is something wrong with the transmission (I think) but before I take it somewhere I wanted to see what you guys think. I learned with my last car that dealerships will try to steal from you any chance they can so I'd rather get some opinions first. Anyway, I will describe what it's doing.

Basically, it gets really hung up in the lower gears. Like it will stay in first much longer than it should and then eventually it will lurch into the next gear. It will do the same thing from 2nd to 3rd but not quite as pronounced and so on.

I guess what I wanted to find out from you guys is:

a) has anyone else had this happen?
b) if so what did it end up being?
c) what kind of cost am i looking at?

Like I said, I am assuming it is the transmission (which is really depressing) but clinging to a hope that it's something less severe...

Any opinions/advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Welcome to the forum
Since you are new, we wont hassle you about not using the search feature or reading any of the many threads on trans failure
Assuming you have good title- meaning not a salvage title/rebuilt car, then you are still inside the special court case ordered trans warranty extension!!!!!!!!
7years plus 9 months from first date of service- the date car was sold off the dealer lot in 2001, or 109k miles- whichever first

You have a failed trans- no sweat- totally covered!!! value $4000

you may also have broken front motor mount- sometimes the right side mount as well.
Normally seen when car is on the lift- and easy to replace while the trans is removed for swap out. Expect $120 part front mount and 30 dollars labor with trans removed- otherwise 400

Call the dealer immedialty and ask for soonest appointment- say the car is undrivable- it may stop on you anytime- no kidding they will even tow it on a flat truck for you if needed.
They will say $100 to diagnose- dont worry- when its found to be trans - warranty pays the diagnosis
When able- the dealer (at its expense) provides a loaner car for the 3-5 days it takes to get a replacement trans sent from the warehouse. The replacements are a combo of new and used parts in a brand new style housing/case.

Make the call now

 

i have 114k miles.....does this mean i am screwed? i bought this car used from a toyota dealer (last year) when it had about 108 or 109k miles on it but i had no idea about any of this. if only i had known...do i have any options? i can't even begin to afford $4000...

 

actually you have a way around the 109 limit- as the court also rules our odometer is 5% fast - making 109 actual miles an indicated 114.5 !!! this has been used to get a trans before by ziner- after dealer said over limit at 114 and it was explained to them- then they got it covered
Go immediatly to the dealer and speak IN PERSON to the SERVICE MANAGER not the
half- wit service writer/advisor who has zero authority on anything
Acura ~goodwills~ trans over the time and miles all the time, you just need to ask nicely of the manager- who calls acura regional rep for the ok
usually free or you pay labor- $500 to install
never hurts to plead starving student
It doesnt matter where you bought it or how many owners- its all about how you love your acura- and have read all about the problem with the trans and acuras goodwill nature replacements

 

hmmm i wonder if they will ask me to pay the $100 inspection fee when i pick up the car tonight. they just found out after an inspection that my tranny is dead. they also replaced the throttle body under warranty.

The interesting thing is that the service advisor is telling me to take the car for another day or two and then bring it back when a courtesy car is available for me.

I'm just scared its going to crap on me during the next 2 days . I was freaking out when the shifts were rough. I can only change gears in SS mode at rpms over 3000

 

Since they found it to be a failed trans- the 100 is picked up by acura warranty- no sweat!
They have to order the trans and dont have any loaner cars today for you- as long as the car is still driving ok- its not prob to do your errands in it- no road trips is all.

If it craps on you- call the dealer, who sends a flatbed tow truck at no charge to you.
Once the trans arrives at the dealer, its a 1 day job and the car is back in your hands

 

chewi- what year car? what was wrong with the throttle body? how was the car driving- bad gas mileage?
I wouldnt mind a new one~~~

 

HI,

My TL-S is an 2003 A-Spec.

They just told me they replaced the throttle body under warranty =)
I didn't have to pay the $100 like you said and just picked up the car.

the failure of the throtle body causes really hard shifts. it would stay in every gear for atleast 10 secs and i must force it to switch gear in SS mode.

every shift jolted my car back and forth.


my car is running pretty normal for now.

 

thanks so much for all your help so far. i really appreciate it. one last thing i was wondering: do i need to bring any sort of document or something to prove that there was a safety recall that should cover this work? i mean what if they try to say it's not covered or something like that?

 

You can, but in all honesty if the try to deny the TL doesnt have a tranny problem they are out to lunch. As long as your car is less then 7 years 9 months old and has less then 109k your good. Just make sure to talk directly to the manger.

EDIT: Just saw your mileage. Since your are a little over it probably wouldnt hurt to bring some extra info just remember to be nice and they hopefully will cover it.

 

speak in person direct and ONLY with the service MANAGER- thats who calls acura and gets approval- do it today, dont expect the real manager to be on duty on the weekends

If they give you problem about 114k miles- mention the court case that says the odometer reads 5% fast- so to comply with the court ordered 109k miles- thats really 114,500 miles indicated on the dash-
As I said a week ago when you were going to take it in.

My dealer has replaced units with 125 and 144 for a known good customers
Who knows if when they look at the mileage it may get misread as 108,500~

Depending on the weather in your area- ice cream bars are popular out west this week, and donuts in the morning are always welcomed as your ~goodwill gesture~ to start the conversation off with the manager liking you. Anyone who brings ~treats for the shop~ gets smothered in return goodwill

AS said many times- on an 03- is it the covered VIN to 109k, or a late year and only 50k warranty?>
The service Manager and Acuras regional warranty rep can do whatever they want to,
YOU being nice- loving your acura- belonging to acurazine- all point to a good person who cares about their car, not some pain in the butt guy who comes in demanding a replacement and 08 TL as a loaner, and they look at the car- filthy- beat up- never serviced anywhere....
Which person is likely to get better treatment???

Its TOTAL bs if they say you had to buy the car there or have it serviced there- the dealer is a private business- and Acura is a seperate corporation- acura pays for the trans and the labor- though they pay less per hour for labor than you would retail -
they are just 2 places that work together,

 

its wasnt a safety recall- the only trans recall was to install an external oil kit to spray more trans fluid on a certain part inside- the replacements have the thing built inside now
That recall was FREE to have done and was issued in 2004
Many owners failed to have it done and go in now- the trans is usually a replace item due to burning of 2nd gear shaft
The normal failure most experience is failing of the clutch plates- result is slipping of trans and car wont go into gear or gets stuck in 2nd--worse case scenario it downshifts to 2nd on the freeway- then you pull over and call acura for a FREE tow