frescagod

this happens at all RPM, and randomly, it seems. maybe 1 out of every 10 shifts, the shift knob will go halfway into 3rd and then just stop dead, like it hit a wall. sometimes if i force hard, it will go into 3rd, but usually, i will drop back into N and then back into 3rd, and it will generally go in with no drama. if i don't notice it, i will grind the gears slightly and have to clutch back in and shift again.

anyone else have this problem? i've taken it to the dealer twice and they can't replicate it. i'm at like 48,000 miles so i'm almost out of warranty, and this is so annoying to me that it affects the way i shift, and i'm constantly afraid of it happening. is it a linkage issue or something? would there be any fix/adjustment?

also, in case you're wondering, i am 30 and have been driving stick since i was 15. i took my driver's test 4 weeks after i turned 16 on a stick shift Altima, so driving stick is completely natural to me.

Terdbath

Yeah, mine does something similar. There is definitely a notchiness to 3 rd gear. I've heard references to it before on this forum. Check the search function for "3rd gear" see if it pulls up anything. By the way isn't our power train warranty longer? Like 5 yrs 70,000 mi or something?

BaoZZeR

Wasn't this problem fixed after using GM syncromesh manual tranny fluid?

NBP04TL4ME

There was/is a similar issue with the 3rd gen TL. As BaoZZer mentioned lots of folks have had success with the GM Synchomesh manual transmission fluid. I've also attached a copy of the TSB for the TL and a couple of other models if it helps. The TSX isn't mentioned but this is from 2008 and don't know if there were any updates or revisions to the inclusions.

Here is one of the many links on AZ on this subject -

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=803374&page=1

Terdbath

Nice. Its actually a 6 year 70,000 mile powertrain warranty.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

correct, the technicians will replace the gear set under the TSB.
BUTT, at a caveat; sometimes, things dont get put back correctly or they ding up your interior.
I've heard some 3G TL guys go in for the TSB only to come out with no reverse gear. of course, it gets fixed but its just a hassle to mess with constant repairs....
plus, they arent careful in the interior and you get gashes in the leather/plastics.

what works for me is; GM syncromesh modified friction.
this lubricant/oil makes shifting really precise and cures the 3rd gear grind or pop out.

I'm about to do a drain and fill again, as my gear set is getting notchy again

frescagod

nice. i am definitely going to do this, possibly this weekend. is it an easy job/easy to get to? all i have are ramps with me.

BaoZZeR

Its like doing an oil change except you need to level your car to get the right amount of fluid in

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^correct!

the car has to be level.

ramps are a no-no.

BaoZZeR

Not necessarily. If you can find stands that can adjust to the same height output as your ramps you'll be fine. But you're much better off buying four of the exact same stands. Having 2 different brands sometimes won't work.

MC MiYoung3269

Too much launching

ssjoeboe9

Whoa, I didnt know there was a fix for this. This makes me happy. I have ground 3rd gear more often then I would like to remember. Most of the time I can catch it, but sometimes you just dont notice in time.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

lol, like i said...

ramps are a no-no

lol!
the fluid wears out over time. just like oil.

ssjoeboe9

If my car is still under warranty this should be covered correct?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^pick up the phone and call, joe.

ask 'em about the TSB and if your warranty will take care of this.

personally, I'd go the GM fluid route.
I hate having my car at the dealer.
Im due for a re-call on my power steering and im fucking dreading it.

Snorlax

Damnit I just started noticing this in 3rd gear too... Noooo!

Any updates from dealer experiences or if new fluid helps? Justin u switch to switch to special synchro fluid yet?

Chicosito

I D/D my car and I just noticed it happens once in a while for me. I'd say it happens once every two weeks. It's always third gear!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

yeah, i've switched!
Switch tranny oil.

NWSTL

Seriously guys. Stop doubting and change the fluid. I did the TSB and still had issues until I changed the fluid.

odus

iTrader: (1)

let me let you in on a secrect its a honda of course 3rd is going to be bumpy notchy or grind every integra i owned did it and so have the others i have driven maybe im just crazy but syncromesh helps all mine.

MomentOfClarity

I just registered on here to post how much of a fail and disappointment this is. Yeah, it's been an issue for so long, which makes it even worse that it's still there. It was an issue on the Integra, the RSX-S...which I'm now driving. It has the same issue even on another tranny with lower miles I picked up.

I've owned 5 Hondas, and I was starting to look at newer cars, and I like the TSX, but this is such a huge turn off. Why would I want to buy a car with known major problems that are still there after 20 years? Is it really impossible to fix? I thought Honda was supposed to be reliable. They used to fix problems their cars had for the next generation...how is this okay..why do I need to use hack fixes for a manual transmission (supposedly not too complex) to operate properly on a new car? (I also thought the 04-08 TSX didn't have these issues? But I haven't looked too much)

German cars are finnicky with their electronics but I'm starting to favor that over not being able to build a transmission that lasts 50k miles on a "reliable" car. These things are supposed to go indefinitely..

Maybe an older IS Lexus is the way to go over a new TSX? I like the idea of something I can drive for a while and not be replacing transmissions and engines left and right.. (TSX has the burning oil issue too..although I figured that could be prevented by taking care of it properly)

E-ManN

Mine had the same problem as well. It has since disappeared when I had regular scheduled Tranny fluid flush and new fluid refill. No issues for past 3 months.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

its not the tranny that has the problem.
its a fluid problem.

honda is using a fluid that isnt doing its job.

if you looked at all the people who has switched to a different fluid, they are reporting no issues.
I am one of those people.
I switched to GM syncromesh and I never have 3rd gear problems any more

nj2pa2nc

My 06 shifts smoothly with Honda MTF. (Knock on wood)

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^mine didnt.

MC MiYoung3269

You're car is just full of problems Justin lol

Simba91102

Hmm..... a properly maintained automatic transmission.... the gift that just keeps on giving (in a Honda anyway ).

nj2pa2nc

Same thing goes for manual transmission.

Simba91102

It took longer than I thought it would, but you make this just too easy! It's like shooting fish in a barrel! :wink:

nj2pa2nc

Oh well, I fell into your trap. With what has gone on the past few months, I could careless. Next trap.

junktionfet

I know this is an old thread, but I'm catching up here in TSX forum land since I'm in the process of re-becoming a TSX owner :P

I had an '07 TL-S 6 speed with this exact problem. After many trips back to the dealer, several iterations of MTF, and a lot of bitching and moaning on Acurazine, Honda finally released that 3rd gear synchro TSB and I was one of the first customers at my local dealer to have it done.

The TSB made very single shift into 3rd gear as smooth as butter, hot or cold, and with the Honda/Acura branded MTF. If your car is under warranty and is eligible for this fix, get it done.

It's an invasive procedure, and I was a bit wary about having my 11,000 mile old car torn into like that, but the interior and most of the car survived unscathed. I say "most" because there was one problem...

The tech forgot to slide the P/S fluid reservoir back into its holster. It was hanging free and occasionally rubbing against one of the pulleys. After a few hundred miles the pulley carved a hole in the reservoir and I found a puddle of P/S fluid on the garage floor. Simple mistake, but a pain in the ass... And it could've been bad if it had happened on a road trip or something. Roadside assistance conveniently towed the car from my garage to the dealer where they promptly fixed it and cleaned the engine. I got to rock an RL service loaner too, which I wasn't complaining about.

frescagod

i think i'm out of warranty (55,000 miles or so), and i don't have an '07 TL, so i'm guessing they won't really want to pull my car apart (and do it for free). oh well. i've changed transmission fluid and it's done nothing, so at this point i'm stuck with a car that goes halfway into third at least five times on my 30 minute commute, and it completely screws with my shifting rhythm.

dealer won't do anything about it and can't replicate it. when it's shifting like butter, it's one heck of a machine, but the half-shifting crap is just too annoying. i'm going to start looking around and will consider selling my '10 if i can find another manual car that's 80% of the shifting experience of the TSX or my old S2000.

mY sLOW UA6

I can vogue for Justin, I used GM synchromash in my TL and never had a problem after that, it also made every gear feel more "buttery"

waaasobe

someone have a product number for this gm synchromesh tranny fluid ?