Heads up - there may be an issue with the TSX Auto Tranny's
#1
Heads up - there may be an issue with the TSX Auto Tranny's
Maybe perhaps its my driving style but the TSX tranny got flushed 3x by the dealer today, it was dark brown apparently.
For a while I had been complaining to the dealer that the tranny was acting funny. It would shift down for even depressing the gas a bit more (at freeway cruising speeds). They couldnt find anything wrong but last oil change they said it was getting a bit brown but should be okay to the next few changes and keep an eye on it. Then when I got my rear pads replaced I had them check it and they said it needs to be replaced at next oil change.
In the last few weeks I've noticed that going up the 405 would make me smell slight burning transmission fluid, I also smelled it leaving the House of Blues on Sunset (steep slope) the other night and also when I took a left from La Cinega to Sunset. I also smelled it accelerating onto the 118 from Tampa.
Basically I think it means the transmission was slipping badly.
Today Center Acura (Keyes Acura transferred their dealership to here) changed 3x transmission fluid. The car is running MUCH better. I've only driven 20 miles so far and its behaving better. I'll update once I take a longer drive.
Just thought I'd give you guys a heads up. I am a high mileage driver so some of you wont see this pattern. I also use the manual shift override from time to time.
I think we might have to be a bit more careful with our 5A auto.
For a while I had been complaining to the dealer that the tranny was acting funny. It would shift down for even depressing the gas a bit more (at freeway cruising speeds). They couldnt find anything wrong but last oil change they said it was getting a bit brown but should be okay to the next few changes and keep an eye on it. Then when I got my rear pads replaced I had them check it and they said it needs to be replaced at next oil change.
In the last few weeks I've noticed that going up the 405 would make me smell slight burning transmission fluid, I also smelled it leaving the House of Blues on Sunset (steep slope) the other night and also when I took a left from La Cinega to Sunset. I also smelled it accelerating onto the 118 from Tampa.
Basically I think it means the transmission was slipping badly.
Today Center Acura (Keyes Acura transferred their dealership to here) changed 3x transmission fluid. The car is running MUCH better. I've only driven 20 miles so far and its behaving better. I'll update once I take a longer drive.
Just thought I'd give you guys a heads up. I am a high mileage driver so some of you wont see this pattern. I also use the manual shift override from time to time.
I think we might have to be a bit more careful with our 5A auto.
#4
Three Wheelin'
^ I believed he mentioned 36K in another thread.
Hopefully this is not a repeat of auto tranny problem they had a few years back (2004 where almost 500K Honda/Acura was recalled due to tranny problem http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...30/201658.html).
Hopefully this is not a repeat of auto tranny problem they had a few years back (2004 where almost 500K Honda/Acura was recalled due to tranny problem http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...30/201658.html).
#5
^ I believed he mentioned 36K in another thread.
Hopefully this is not a repeat of auto tranny problem they had a few years back (2004 where almost 500K Honda/Acura was recalled due to tranny problem http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...30/201658.html).
Hopefully this is not a repeat of auto tranny problem they had a few years back (2004 where almost 500K Honda/Acura was recalled due to tranny problem http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...30/201658.html).
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#10
Update:
I have 36K on the car currently. I forgot to ask the tech if the car had a tranny cooler. Its quite possible that it doesn't.
I know colin you work in a dealership, but it might be at least for the tip of the iceberg. We shall see, I am going to keep an eye on this thing. I took it tonight with my girl down the 405 to 'fathers office' and she smelled it too (her sense of smell is much more sensitive than mine). The car is running beautiful on straight line (almost like when it was new) but going up hill you can smell the tranny fluid burning smell. I'll have center acura check it on friday again to see if nothing is loose.
In the mean time heads up. Check on your transmission fluid regularly. When I talked to Keyes on the acura transmission fluid life they said usually they need replacing at 60K, so i am quite surprised at 30K i was brown as ever.
I have a feeling that this might be an issue with the addition of the 'paddle shifters'. Using those probably accelerates the ATF going brown.
I have 36K on the car currently. I forgot to ask the tech if the car had a tranny cooler. Its quite possible that it doesn't.
I know colin you work in a dealership, but it might be at least for the tip of the iceberg. We shall see, I am going to keep an eye on this thing. I took it tonight with my girl down the 405 to 'fathers office' and she smelled it too (her sense of smell is much more sensitive than mine). The car is running beautiful on straight line (almost like when it was new) but going up hill you can smell the tranny fluid burning smell. I'll have center acura check it on friday again to see if nothing is loose.
In the mean time heads up. Check on your transmission fluid regularly. When I talked to Keyes on the acura transmission fluid life they said usually they need replacing at 60K, so i am quite surprised at 30K i was brown as ever.
I have a feeling that this might be an issue with the addition of the 'paddle shifters'. Using those probably accelerates the ATF going brown.
#11
Update:
I have 36K on the car currently. I forgot to ask the tech if the car had a tranny cooler. Its quite possible that it doesn't.
I know colin you work in a dealership, but it might be at least for the tip of the iceberg. We shall see, I am going to keep an eye on this thing. I took it tonight with my girl down the 405 to 'fathers office' and she smelled it too (her sense of smell is much more sensitive than mine). The car is running beautiful on straight line (almost like when it was new) but going up hill you can smell the tranny fluid burning smell. I'll have center acura check it on friday again to see if nothing is loose.
In the mean time heads up. Check on your transmission fluid regularly. When I talked to Keyes on the acura transmission fluid life they said usually they need replacing at 60K, so i am quite surprised at 30K i was brown as ever.
I have a feeling that this might be an issue with the addition of the 'paddle shifters'. Using those probably accelerates the ATF going brown.
I have 36K on the car currently. I forgot to ask the tech if the car had a tranny cooler. Its quite possible that it doesn't.
I know colin you work in a dealership, but it might be at least for the tip of the iceberg. We shall see, I am going to keep an eye on this thing. I took it tonight with my girl down the 405 to 'fathers office' and she smelled it too (her sense of smell is much more sensitive than mine). The car is running beautiful on straight line (almost like when it was new) but going up hill you can smell the tranny fluid burning smell. I'll have center acura check it on friday again to see if nothing is loose.
In the mean time heads up. Check on your transmission fluid regularly. When I talked to Keyes on the acura transmission fluid life they said usually they need replacing at 60K, so i am quite surprised at 30K i was brown as ever.
I have a feeling that this might be an issue with the addition of the 'paddle shifters'. Using those probably accelerates the ATF going brown.
I would suspect there might be sone inherent defect with your tranny. Might be worth seeking a seocnd opinion from another dealer.
#12
TheGoodGuy, IMO, if you're smelling something, there might be an issue, for everyone else, I'd refrain from pushing the 'panic button' unless you too are smelling something.
#13
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One Transmission problem does not make it an issue for all.
Not sure who manufactures the trans for Honda, but any company will have some parts go bad. Which is what i would suspect is going on here.
My 2 cents.
Not sure who manufactures the trans for Honda, but any company will have some parts go bad. Which is what i would suspect is going on here.
My 2 cents.
#14
I know this is difficult, but would someone please describe what burning ATF smells like?
Usually after I drive up a hill or do spirited driving, I can smell something coming from my car, but I always attributed that to my not usually driving like a maniac (high revs), sort of like that smell you get after you first get the car.
Usually after I drive up a hill or do spirited driving, I can smell something coming from my car, but I always attributed that to my not usually driving like a maniac (high revs), sort of like that smell you get after you first get the car.
#16
I know this is difficult, but would someone please describe what burning ATF smells like?
Usually after I drive up a hill or do spirited driving, I can smell something coming from my car, but I always attributed that to my not usually driving like a maniac (high revs), sort of like that smell you get after you first get the car.
Usually after I drive up a hill or do spirited driving, I can smell something coming from my car, but I always attributed that to my not usually driving like a maniac (high revs), sort of like that smell you get after you first get the car.
I know that after driving my car very hard on spirited drives, I can smell my brakes roasting away. Most likely from extensive left-foot braking, but damn the car grips so much better; I can't resist.
#17
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Honda has a very big weak spot with there trannies.. That is one of the reasons I leased this car So i would not have to worry like my last car (2001 CL type-s with 4 trannies replaced) It took honda 5 years to get the 5 speed auto tranny right and there way behind on there tranny designs.. other companies have 6-7 or even 8 speed auto trannies where honda just came out with a 6 speed auto (which I would not trust for the fact being the first year the 5 speed came out they had like a 50% failure rate)
I would not be suprised if there 5 speed trannies are still failing prematurely..
I would not be suprised if there 5 speed trannies are still failing prematurely..
#18
Honda has a very big weak spot with there trannies.. That is one of the reasons I leased this car So i would not have to worry like my last car (2001 CL type-s with 4 trannies replaced) It took honda 5 years to get the 5 speed auto tranny right and there way behind on there tranny designs..
I will agree that the difficulties with the five speed are probably the reason that the six speed was so late to arrive. But I think that the cancellation of the NSX program has played a bigger part than many think. It seems pretty obvious that the new NSX was going to be a front engine rear drive with a longitudinally mounted engine. This would have required a clean sheet design because none of the transverse transmissions would have worked in this application. (not to mention the power requirements)
So my guess is that while the folks on AcuraZine were whining about this or that, Honda was simultaneously working on three new transmission projects. One would be the new six speed automatic, the second would be the new dual clutch for the motorcycle division, and the third, the new transmission for the next generation of the Acura platforms. (which I can only hope will see the light of day in the future)
#19
Three Wheelin'
^Agree with you Colin. Hopefully what happened to TheGoodGuy is an isolated incident. At least Honda/Acura stands by their product evidence in StoneCL having his tranny replaced 4 times.
I am having too much fun with my 6MT at the moment, may be my next vehicle will be an AT model but that will be quite a ways yet.
I am having too much fun with my 6MT at the moment, may be my next vehicle will be an AT model but that will be quite a ways yet.
#21
Part of the reason I bought a manual was because I didn't trust Honda's autos. I know too many people who have had Honda trannies replaced repeatedly over the years. I don't have any real evidence that they're any worse, but my own personal observation is enough for me. They also don't have many vehicles with 6 speed trannies which are pretty common elsewhere, and none with 7 or 8 on higher end vehicles like the competition. Some of their manual trannies are great, but I do consider transmissions to be one of Honda's weak spots overall.
That being said, this is the first time I've heard of someone having a tranny problem on this car. Isn't the transmission similar to the previous gen car?
That being said, this is the first time I've heard of someone having a tranny problem on this car. Isn't the transmission similar to the previous gen car?
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#23
Pro
Part of the reason I bought a manual was because I didn't trust Honda's autos. I know too many people who have had Honda trannies replaced repeatedly over the years. I don't have any real evidence that they're any worse, but my own personal observation is enough for me. They also don't have many vehicles with 6 speed trannies which are pretty common elsewhere, and none with 7 or 8 on higher end vehicles like the competition. Some of their manual trannies are great, but I do consider transmissions to be one of Honda's weak spots overall.
That being said, this is the first time I've heard of someone having a tranny problem on this car. Isn't the transmission similar to the previous gen car?
That being said, this is the first time I've heard of someone having a tranny problem on this car. Isn't the transmission similar to the previous gen car?
#24
I would have to agree with Colin as well. This is an isolated case. The only problems that I am aware of that Honda has with auto trannys have all been related to their V6 applications. Their 4-cylinder auto trannys have been very good and trouble free. By the way the "bad" trannys I believe had a failure rate around 2-3%, not 50%.
So far my opinion of the TSX is that its an excellent car. The only real flakiness its exhibited overall are the bad tech speakers, rear brakes, engine pinging, and some people's window and roof molding coming off. I have two of the problems but they've been fixed. So far the rest of the car has been very solid and I'm quite happy. Some of my friends build cars at Honda, and this is by far better than most of the ones they make. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this car again knowing what I know about it after almost 2 years.
#25
Pro
That might be. Like I said I don't have any real evidence nor did I look into it all that much. Those were just my personal impressions from people I know with Hondas. I know a number of people who have replaced 4 cyl auto transmissions under warranty, some 3 or 4 of times over. On the other hand I really don't know anyone who has done that with other brands. That may not representative of everyone however, and I wouldn't claim it to be.
So far my opinion of the TSX is that its an excellent car. The only real flakiness its exhibited overall are the bad tech speakers, rear brakes, engine pinging, and some people's window and roof molding coming off. I have two of the problems but they've been fixed. So far the rest of the car has been very solid and I'm quite happy. Some of my friends build cars at Honda, and this is by far better than most of the ones they make. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this car again knowing what I know about it after almost 2 years.
So far my opinion of the TSX is that its an excellent car. The only real flakiness its exhibited overall are the bad tech speakers, rear brakes, engine pinging, and some people's window and roof molding coming off. I have two of the problems but they've been fixed. So far the rest of the car has been very solid and I'm quite happy. Some of my friends build cars at Honda, and this is by far better than most of the ones they make. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this car again knowing what I know about it after almost 2 years.
#26
^^the ping is kinda like a UFO sighting. The people who have seen em, swear by it. Others, search the skies and strain to find them.
#27
Pro
#29
Update:
I have 36K on the car currently. I forgot to ask the tech if the car had a tranny cooler. Its quite possible that it doesn't.
I know colin you work in a dealership, but it might be at least for the tip of the iceberg. We shall see, I am going to keep an eye on this thing. I took it tonight with my girl down the 405 to 'fathers office' and she smelled it too (her sense of smell is much more sensitive than mine). The car is running beautiful on straight line (almost like when it was new) but going up hill you can smell the tranny fluid burning smell. I'll have center acura check it on friday again to see if nothing is loose.
In the mean time heads up. Check on your transmission fluid regularly. When I talked to Keyes on the acura transmission fluid life they said usually they need replacing at 60K, so i am quite surprised at 30K i was brown as ever.
I have a feeling that this might be an issue with the addition of the 'paddle shifters'. Using those probably accelerates the ATF going brown.
I have 36K on the car currently. I forgot to ask the tech if the car had a tranny cooler. Its quite possible that it doesn't.
I know colin you work in a dealership, but it might be at least for the tip of the iceberg. We shall see, I am going to keep an eye on this thing. I took it tonight with my girl down the 405 to 'fathers office' and she smelled it too (her sense of smell is much more sensitive than mine). The car is running beautiful on straight line (almost like when it was new) but going up hill you can smell the tranny fluid burning smell. I'll have center acura check it on friday again to see if nothing is loose.
In the mean time heads up. Check on your transmission fluid regularly. When I talked to Keyes on the acura transmission fluid life they said usually they need replacing at 60K, so i am quite surprised at 30K i was brown as ever.
I have a feeling that this might be an issue with the addition of the 'paddle shifters'. Using those probably accelerates the ATF going brown.
#30
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Honda has a very big weak spot with there trannies.. That is one of the reasons I leased this car So i would not have to worry like my last car (2001 CL type-s with 4 trannies replaced) It took honda 5 years to get the 5 speed auto tranny right and there way behind on there tranny designs.. other companies have 6-7 or even 8 speed auto trannies where honda just came out with a 6 speed auto (which I would not trust for the fact being the first year the 5 speed came out they had like a 50% failure rate)
I would not be suprised if there 5 speed trannies are still failing prematurely..
I would not be suprised if there 5 speed trannies are still failing prematurely..
#31
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I currently own a 2005 TSX 5AT. Transmission/Torque convertor and three new motor mounts were replaced at 96,000 miles. ( Covered under CPO warranty). I also had a 1996 Honda Prelude. Transmision went out on that at 25,000 miles. My wife had a 1999 Honda accord coupe's transmission go out at 60,000 miles, and to top it off my 2001 Honda Prelude transmission went out at 40,000 mile and then again at 110,000 mile. All these ccars were automatics. I peviosly had owned a 1986 Integra, A 1989 Integra, a 1992 integra and a 1996 Integra. Al these cars went well over a 100,000 miles with no problems in the transmissions whatsoever. It is the late 90's and on that seem to break down...
#32
Port & Polish Everything
last i looked the K24Z3 auto trannies were derivative designs from the rest of the K series autos.
this design family is not known to have any particular weak spots, but there is no such thing as a manufacturer that builds every single car perfect.
I had a 2003 K24A4 accord, with a bunch of bolt ons and made almost 150 WHP/150 ft-lbs, basically same as most stock auto TSX.
that car was heavily abused, i brake stalled and hard launched the auto tranny many times, the car made it to 100K miles without any problems.
this design family is not known to have any particular weak spots, but there is no such thing as a manufacturer that builds every single car perfect.
I had a 2003 K24A4 accord, with a bunch of bolt ons and made almost 150 WHP/150 ft-lbs, basically same as most stock auto TSX.
that car was heavily abused, i brake stalled and hard launched the auto tranny many times, the car made it to 100K miles without any problems.
#33
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When I'm driving downhill and I begin to brake gently, I feel the engine downshifting/brake by itself a bit.
Is this normal? Should I bring this up with my next service?
#34
Three Wheelin'
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#36
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Heat is the biggest killer of Auto transmissions & degradation of the Automatic fluid. I don't take any chances & change the transmission fuid every 20,000km. It's a very simple DIY.
#37
Not trying to open up old threads but I have noticed a whine when I accelerate from 20 to 40 mph. Not aggressive accel nor a "grandma" accel. Lasts about 2 secs and then its gone. It seems to be in the 2nd to 3rd gear range and around 2 to 4K rpm.
Anyone have this type of whine? I think its transmission related but could be tensioner related too after reading some other posts.
Anyone have this type of whine? I think its transmission related but could be tensioner related too after reading some other posts.
#38
All the time, and I'm pushing near 60K miles on this thing.
Anytime I push the car hard on the hills, I can smell the oil burning. Been like this since I had the car @ 0 miles new to now. Not a single problem, although the pinging was a real problem and I had that addressed about 3-4 times @ the dealer (surprising it took 4th time to deal with it.)
Anytime I push the car hard on the hills, I can smell the oil burning. Been like this since I had the car @ 0 miles new to now. Not a single problem, although the pinging was a real problem and I had that addressed about 3-4 times @ the dealer (surprising it took 4th time to deal with it.)
#39
I Spit On You.
what is pinging?
#40