Hey whats going on guys!! I don't really post a lot on the site but been a member for a while. I have 06 TL WDP. I was reading about the 3rd gear issue since I'm having the same problem. Sometimes I can't shift into R, need to engage the clutch a few times.

I took the car for an oil change and the dealership took a look at it. They said that it's actually every gear that's grinding, mainly the 3rd gear. I'm dropping off the car tomorrow for them to either replace the tranny or try to fix it. The guy said he needs to speak to Acura on what they want to do.

I did a tranny fluid change at 17k, and the guy said doing it again isn't going to help. I also have a Comptech short shifter installed...do you guys think thats Acura may blame the short shifter for the issue? I don't think so since they sell that part at the dealership....

I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome after the dealership decides what they are going to do.

 

Has anyone else has a problem with 3rd gear? I dont have a problem with is not going into gear but sometimes it feels a little more gritty putting it in 3rd gear ... all the other gears are SUPER smooth! I only have 11K miles on my 2007 TL/S and I dont think this is a good sign ... any thoughts on what is causing this?

 

There have been a boatload of postings about the manual 3rd gear issue and it covers Hondas in general as well. This is a very well known problem and Honda/Acura are well aware of it.

The most common "fix" is to drain and refill your transmission with GM Synchromesh Friction Modified transmission fluid (part # 12377916 as I recall). This seems to correct the issue in most all cases. Still it is a mechanically-oriented problem which Honda/Acura believes to be related to the shifter fork for that gear (and perhaps the dog clutches, also known as synchronizers, and maybe even the blocker rings).

I am the original owner of an '04 manual TL, built and bought in July 2004. It has never had any of these problems whatsoever, so I personally cannot relate any such experiences regarding all of this.

 

There is a huge thread on this. Please continue the discussion there.

Actually there are shitloads of threads on this