Mr2Hollywood

I actually have two questions for the forum.
We have an 03 Tls automatic, with 165k and drive it about 8-10k a year.
For about 3 years now the Acura my wife drives to work and it has had a slip from 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd gear.
Were older so some of the obvious I may state just humor pls, I'm new to all this.
She's 63 and yes drives her age. So its not like its being driven like it can be.. I first noticed the slipping at almost precisely at 1900rpms. Then that gap got a little wider and now its between 1700 and 2200 rpms. Ive checked fluids and topped off with Honda fluid. No i have not had the trans fluid drained and filled.. is this an easy task and would it be worth it? The fluid in the dip stick does not smell burnt btw.
I have not taken it yet to a mechanic nor a trans specialist.
Is it time and who/which would be the better. I was also reading yesterday on here that if you have to have a new trany have them put in a 2006 trany due to it being more reliable? Will this work if mine is to far gone?
so first things first.
How do I fix this one?
is this a simple repair?
Is this gonna be a total wash trans?
Can the 06 be a replacement if a new one is needed it?
oh and what should I be looking at as far as a price. Im in a little town in east Tenn. Don't want to get taken.. well to badly! There's always those who prey on the older.

Part 2 of my question for the Forum is
when I bought this 03 Tls a while back I remember it got mpg in the 20s. Its been many years since I've seen those numbers. Now I'm lucky if I get 17mpg. Ive done most everything maintenance wise I can think of. I have a K&N that I clean twice a year, change plugs with the best recommended ones that aren't insanely priced..
Just not sure what happened or was it a fluke when I got it and what I get now is what it should have been all along?
Thanks for your time with my questions
Have a great day everyone
Mike

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Hey Mike, welcome to the forum from another child of the 1950s.

Regarding your transmission; it would be worth a try to have the transmission drained and refilled with Honda DW-1, three times over and have the third and fourth gear pressure sensors replaced as well. At this stage of the game there is no guarantee this will fix the shifting issues of your transmission, say maybe a 50/50 shot. If that fails, then a new transmission is in your future (either the AV6 from a 2006-2007 Honda Accord, or a rebuild of your unit).

Regarding your fuel economy, that may be a function of the slipping transmission. As for the K&N, I strongly recommend throwing that piece of junk in the trash, it will not help fuel economy, however, it will allow a huge amount of unfiltered dirt into your engine.

Mr2Hollywood

I appreciate any direction that could possibly help me in the less excruciating $$$$ that could be heading my way.
I have to first research how to do the change and figure out how my old broke ass can do this under the car fun.
Thanks for all the info.
Good day

Davius

I am in a similar position. I have cleaned shift control solenoids screens A/B and C and changed the in-line Transmission Filter all from the top drivers side of engine compartment. Just had to remove battery and battery housing. Struggled a bit with reaching filter bracket, so I'd recommend removing air intake box and hose for super easy access. The 3*3 drain and fill is super easy too. No need to lift car, turn wheels to left and pan is drivers side with the drain plug facing drivers wheel. The transmission pan only drains about 3 liters of oil at a time and draining and filling 3 times removes nearly all of the old oil, hence the name 3*3. I drove around a bit between each of the drain and fills and made sure to run through all gears including reverse and neutral. All-In-All, if you can bend over OK and get up from laying on ground, then this is a doable job. I'd recommend recruiting a spry family member if possible haha. Good Luck!

Video of solenoids from This Thread

Service manual pages for solenoids








A lot of the DIY links are broken, but what you want to do is easy. Here's another thread that might help 3*3 Thread

Service manual for drain/fill ---- your fill plug might look a little different if you have the jetpack on your Transmission. Its like a hose running out of fill hole with a small one bolt bracket holding it on