kennelm

Recently, the transmission in my 2002 TL-S started to shudder under light acceleration in 3rd gear. The car has 113k miles, and the original transmission was replaced around 35k due to a high-pitched whine, so this tranny has only 80k miles. The Acura dealer called to confirmed that I will need a new transmission at a cost of $5k. The service advisor said that the dealership cannot help me since I am outside warranty (surprise), but he said he would reach our to Acura on Monday to see what they say.

I have not had much of my service done at the dealership, and the advisor noted that point, and that he knows little about the history of my car. That can't be good, and it makes me wonder how strongly he will advocate for my cause. He said he will need my service records to show that the car has been properly maintained. I had the tranny fluid drained and replaced only once at a Honda dealership (using Honda ATF1), maybe 30k miles ago. I wonder if that is sufficient and will buy me any good will? Other than that, it's just oil changes, timing belt, and a broken motor mount or two. And of course tires and brakes.

Any thoughts on how I can lobby more effectively for Acura to help me out? Is the Acura tranny finally fixed, or will this be another defective unit? If I don't get at least half ($2500) of this taken care of, I think I'll find a Honda Accord 2007 tranny and go that route. I think I can do that for under $2k.

Appreciate any advice you can offer...

Larry

Dman00tl

I had same problem on my 00tl, except tranny was from factory and at 103k it started to shutter in 2cd gear, went to dealer, they called acura, acura said even though i was out of warranty they would pay half of it, witch they did i only payed 2500. But my advice would be to get the rebuilt tranny, its just like brand new you wouldent have to worry about a thing, mines runs great

01tl4tl

if you did all that work at that dealer,,the service MANAGER goes to corp rep for help
at this point in time I would not expect any help

you can rebuild yours local 2500,,get acuras 2500-5000
or accord/oddy trans from junkyard- not rebuilt 500-750 plus install 500~

the TL trans has the same prob after rebuild as before, acura does send it in the updated case with better oiling to 3rd gear but its not fixed

do change atf on the TL every year! 3 qts or more
waiting 50-60kmiles is hard on it

Skirmich

+1 on Changing oil Every Year!

Plus you should not really go for an Acura Rebuilt if they dont Help you at all.
5Gs!! they are effin High!

Go to a Local Tranny shop an quote for $$$$ and Warranty!! 1 Year/15000 is Normal see if you cant get any better!! (Ive got a 3 Year, 75000 Warranty! for 1300 bucks Rebuild!) Been Strong for almost 90,000K Miles but with proper changes every year...

eeric2001

This is my 1st post. My Auto tranny in my 01 cls started slipping today ...90 miles from home. I was able to make it to a gas station sit for 30 min and it drove 90 mi home no problem. I know nothing about auto trans. but at the gas station I smelt clutch like a manual smells like when you've been getting on it. I guess it cooled down and shifted fine through the gears. seemed like a little rough shifting in low gears but I'm greatful to make it back in 1 piece. has anyone used aamco? advice?
thanks

01tl4tl

welcome,,this is the TL section but your need fits here fine

whats happened is the clutches are coming apart
As you drive that particulate matter gets flung onto the filter screen for outlet flow of fluid from torque convertor
without that pressure you go nowhere

stopping 30 minutes allows it to fall back off and get you further down the road

burnt sugar smell to fluid is bad

your options are a used junkyard trans from certain oddy or accord years
fairly bolt in with minor mod,,run about 500-750 trans and 500-700 labor
to rebuild yours will be 2500 average

never aamco,,well there is one on here that knows how to do them
but they are corporate and have to save every dime while charging every penny,,,
you want the upgrades not the downgrades~

kennelm

So this past Monday, the dealership *supposedly* asked Acura for assistance on my tranny, and the answer was "no". On Tuesday, I called Acura myself and opened a case, and explained how I've gotten 113k miles out of two defective Acura trannys. Not a stellar track record. I also own an MDX, so I asked if they would provide assistance to a loyal Acura customer. They are looking into the matter now, and supposedly talking to the dealership. I suggested a 50/50 split, or perhaps parts vs labor, so we'll see what they say.

I checked today and the case is still pending. In the meantime, I have located a couple of Honda Accord trannys for around $1k, plus $700 to install. Labor rates are high in my area, but $1,700 is doable if I have to go that route.

How long will the Acura warranty on the 3rd tranny be if they offer me assistance and I decide to go that way? Will this tranny also be defective?
Of course I prefer a new tranny, but I doubt I'll go any higher than half, which is $2,500. I'm thinking a new non-defective tranny (with warranty) would be worth the extra $800 over the salvaged Honda tranny.

Any thoughts on how much the car is worth as it sits? I guess if the value is not too low, I could just let it go as-is and start over.

victus1

I would go with the cheapest possible option, the Accord tranny. There is no guarantee the new tranny will outlast the Accord. The new one may fail at 30K, as some people have reported.

01tl4tl

when you do a partial split with acura they throw in a 3/36!! trans warranty
part is 22-2500 and labor 4-6 hours
best most get is 2500 total,,

they dont have to do a thing at this point,,time limits etc
the old warranty units only came with 12/12~

keeping fluid changed is what it takes for lifespan

kennelm

OK, Acura just called me back. They are offering a remanufactured transmission as well as a new PCM. For $2,500, rather than the full price of $5,000. The warranty is 3/36.

On the other hand, I found a Honda transmission with 80k for $850, and another one with 58k for $1,000. Labor to install is $700. So for that I am looking at somewhere between $1550 and $1700.

What's the deal with the PCM? How does that pertain to the Honda tranny? Will my old one work? What would it cost if I need a new one for the Honda?

Thoughts on the choices I face? $850 Honda tranny? $1,000 Honda tranny? Potentially defective Acura tranny with 3/36 warranty for $1k more?

kennelm

Oh. Acura says with the $1,100 PCM, the retail price of the repair is really $6,100, not $5,000. The guy said the PCM has been "reprogrammed" to better control the remanufactured tranny.

Anyone else heard this?

01tl4tl

certain VIN range got a new module with the trans swap
its needed and does change shift pattern slightly
Power Control Module,, if that gives a hint to its importance

25 for everything with a 3/36 I would go for that

nevTL

Agreed Tom!

I had my tranny rebuilt in January at 126,500 miles, 03' TL-S. Cost me $2500.00 at independent tranny shop (http://www.trans-protransmissions.com) complete with a 3 year/36,000 warranty.

Larry, take this deal...you also have the piece of mind of Acura doing the work, and if anything goes wrong you can pull right back in there.

I was dead set on selling my car when the tranny crapped out, but having it rebuilt and seeing how everything was just like before it went bad makes me feel great about driving this car I love so much.

kennelm

Well, I picked up my car today from Pohanka Acura. Out the door price for the remanufactured tranny was $2,358. I guess that's a pretty good deal since it comes with a 3/36 warranty. Just hope this one holds up better than the first two.

What should my maintenance schedule on this tranny be? Drain/replace every year?

3.2TLc

You now have a "remanufactured NEW tranny" with a 3 year/36 k warranty !

I wouldn't do anything for awhile, see how things go. Depending on how many miles per year that you average along with your driving style, you could do absolutely nothing. Acura will stand behind this tranny. If they require any extra maintenance, it should've been explained out front.

Never know for sure, but maybe the third tranny will prove to be a charm !

Once a year, a drain and fill can't hurt anything. You may even want to consider patronizing your local Acura dealership for any required tranny services to keep the warranty valid for the next 3 years. At least you'll have everything documented by their service department in case you've got another dud.

mrsimeon

I have used AAMCO in the past. I have a 1998 Nissan maxima, and Aamco rebuilt my tranny and torque converter. For 2
$2300. I am very happy with the work. It's been 80k miles , and 7 years later, the car rubs great.

AAMCO
TheY get you in the foot advertising $1100 tranny builds. But when all is said and done. It's about $1800 then add torque converter then taxes.


FYI
BUDDY OF MINE HAD 2001 ACURA CL
HAD TRANNY DONE FROM ACURA AT 60k mikes.
Then again felt something wrong around 96k miles.

Acura rebuilt tranny again at 96k miles.

He drive the car till 165k miles and was slipping soo bad he sold it to his local mechanic/ garage as is fir $3000.
Super clean car. Light grey interior and Navy Blue exterior. Car was mint except for tranny problem.
Car was Stock- no mods . Factory wheels.

But if you guys are paring over $2000 for tranny at Acura. Get a good guarantee. Otherwise go with the accord tranny if that model fits and is not notorious for future failure.

Good luck all.