wait.

After taking my car in about 5 times, and the dealership not being able to reproduce the third gear problem, they finally reproduced it twice yesterday, with me in the car.

The service guy called me later to report that he had talked to Acura's Tech line, and that the issue was "under investigation, a fix would be available at the end of the year, or the beginning of next year."

Awesome, I'm ready to start calling lawyers to get it lemon'd.

 

This is interesting... My first tranny had NO issues at all with third gear... even if it did shit the bed at 45k..

My new tranny has been showing signs of the infamous third gear problem so I will watch for more info....

Thanks...

 

What seems to be the issue? Cause my 6spd shifts flawlessly.... just curious

 

Well you're both lucky..

There are a ton of posts about this issue, but essentially, upon trying to shift into third gear, the shifter feels like it went in fine, but when you let the clutch out, the shifter pops into neutral. After a few months of it, you learn to feel when it's not all the way in gear, and you just hold the clutch in, and let go of the shifter, and it pops itself into gear.

It's somewhat unsafe, increasingly annoying, and an inexcusable defect in a car of this 'level'

I'm pretty happy with almost everything else about the car, but I'm at the edge with this.

 

The simple fix is to replace the transmission fluid with the GM Syncromesh (I think I misspelled it). Do a search on it and you will find that this has made a huge difference in the way the shifter performs. I did it with about 6k miles on the car and never regretted it.

 

I know that's the simple fix, but that's something that I have to pay for and do myself, and it potentially voids the warranty. I told the dealership about it, and they won't do it, I shouldn't have to. As far as I'm concerned, a brand new car shouldn't need to be hacked to work properly. If the consumers let businesses get away with selling faulty products, the consumers end up paying for all the fixes. This is already the case in some areas of the computer hardware/software and mobile phone markets.

I understand the low amount of work required in changing the fluid, and the low amount of stress involved in having a car that is 'fixed' so easily. But I bought a nice new car so that I wouldn't have any problems, and any problems that did exist would be covered under the warranty.

 

Yeah, that's good in theory.

I had a GM vehicle with what I considered a bad knock at startup. It was diagnosed as a problem with the wristpins and the dealer ordered new pistons and pins, replaced them under warranty and all was well.......

For a couple months. The problem came back 10x worse than before and by then, the factory deemed the problem as a non-problem and wouldn't do anything at that point.

I had the 3rd gear issue and did the fluid change. It was like night and day. I also noted how much gold particulates were in the original fluid so I am glad I did it when I did (6K Mi).

I'm going to do it again at 15K just to see if the syncros are still being eaten alive.

But I guess what I am trying to say is that the dealer will 'fix' it, but will it really fix it. If people here have had good luck with non factory solutions, then I am more inclined to go that way. Dealers only work on what they get back for money from the factory and if they need to shortcut, they probably will. Most of us here would not.

 

Yeah this problem is def. annoying!! I know can feel when its not in gear in 3rd all the way, and you almost have to push it up and to the side a little more to get it to lock into 3rd. However I have not put in the synchormesh yet, some say this helped.

 

I brought my car in after 3 days of ownership with the same problem, mentioned the GM Syncro, and they said yeah they knew about the fix. They replaced it free, no questions asked. You should insist they replace the fluid for you at no cost.

 

I had this "kinda" issue on my 1st gear + a click sound commin from the clutch. Changed for the Synchro and everything is FINE NOW!!10 000km+ after

 

I've seen plenty of similar responses.. GM SynchroMesh fluid makes the problem go away..
If Acura embraced a fluid change as the fix, it'd be acceptable. Providing that my issues disappeared for good.
However, it seems that the problem is deeper than a fluid change, it's some kind of engineering defect.
Maybe it's the gearset or the synchros or the shift forks, maybe it's the cables to the tranny, maybe it's in the clutch or pressure plate. I don't really know.

Something makes me think that Acura would have already released a TSB advising the use of GM SynchroMesh, if it were that easy.

An extreme analogy:
Your car crashes all the time, unexpectedly.
Your seat belt and air bag don't effectively keep you safe. (sometimes it pops out of 3rd)
You upgrade to a 5-point restraint with HANS, and a fluffy pillow-top air bag. (GM SynchroMesh)
You setup now keeps you safe 100% of the time.
Your car still crashes all the time, unexpectedly.

Is the problem fixed?

 

Extreme indeed. There is big difference between safety systems and drive systems.

Based on the ratio of 6MT to 5AT, how likely is it that Honda will re-engineer the transmission, especially based on the fact that it's not on 100% of the 6MT's rolling off the line.

Honda released a different MT fluid, but others reported that it didn't help.

The fact that we've all seen improvements with the fluid change kinda points to the factory fill.

Good luck with the dealer, it's obvious you aren't settling for anything short of a teardown.

 

Actually, replacing the fluid is something that is NOT covered under warranty by Acura. Does it fix the vehicle? Yes. Have we had anyone return? No. If we ever tried using the Honda fluid as a failed part number on the repair order, while sending it in for warranty, they would kick it back and we would eat the cost of the labor and the fluid.

 

I went through this for about 9 months. Put the GM shit in a call it a day. trust me...

 

I never had the 3rd gear issue, but my dealer switched my tranny fluid to GMFM with no issues about warranty. It sure made the tranny shift smoother....huge improvement. I asked about the warranty issue....they said I'd be less likely to have any problems with the GM fluid in the first place...and if I did...a simple switch back to Honda junk fluid would end the warranty issue if the tranny went back to Acura. My warranty is going to expire in March anyway...so it's a real Non Issue IMHO. Switch the fluid...you won't regret it.

 

Is there anything that specifically states that we use a certain fluid in the transmission? I've heard people say this over and over but never took the time to actually find it.

 

wow, cant say I believe that analogy.

The think about the CL for a moment. It had waaaaayyyy more tranny issues. dude first off, you wont get your car lemon'd over this. They will change fluids over and over, then syncro's then teh tranny. Some people have the 3rd gear and some dont. The ones that dont, I have no idea how are why they dont. But the ones that do put the GM Friction modified in. Acura came out with a new tranny fluid, it worked for a few months then back to the 3rd gear issues. I know the head mechanic pretty well now and he said "dude, just put the GM shit in"

Modulus, this is a battle you will not win. Believe us when we tell you.

Just put the GM sycromesh friction modified fluid in and you will never have to worry about this again. I was once like you, but now I have seen the light...

 

I think Honda switched their tranny fluid a year or so ago....to something similar to the GMFM...and it's supposed to be much better than the old formula which was basically motor oil...nothing special. My dealer said I'd be less likely to have any problems using GM fluid..and judging by how it shifts now, I'd tend to agree. If there are any lawyers out there...I'd be really interested to learn if using a "better" fluid would void the warranty. Any "approved" oil is OK in the engine...why would tranny fluid be any different? Educate me...please.

 

I've had the same problem with 3rd gear as many others. My TL is about 1 year old and I just took it in for the B1 service about 10k miles. I mentioned the problem and suggested the fluid change. The dealer (Nalley Acura in Atlanta) said there was a better fix - replace the 3rd gear synchros. No questions asked, they are replacing the synchros under warranty.

 

Yeah use GM syncromesh fluid and it'll solve it, I got mine replaced about 3 months ago no more grinding

 

Do you have to go to GM to buy this stuff? Where's the best place to buy it?

 

Ive had this problem ever since i bought the car. its now 2 years old and over the warranty period.

my local dealer put in a new fluid and it seemed to help but has never totally fixed the problem.

Guess ill finally have to go and get the GM stuff sometime

 

If the dealership changed the fluid to the GM SynchroMesh, and all my problems disappeared, I'd be perfectly happy. The fact that Acura's tech-line 'knows' about the problem and hasn't issued an easy TSB (namely: use GM fluid) implies that they're dragging their feet for whatever reason, and it's more likely that we'll see a parts change.

PZero, good luck. I hope it fixes your issue. I don't like the idea of a dealership tearing my tranny apart to replace poorly engineered parts with more poorly engineered parts. I'll bet you a dollar your problem returns, soon after.

To everyone else that thinks I should just change the fluid myself, why don't you think Acura should honor their warranty and fix a malfunctioning transmission?

I understand that it's probably normal for every car manufacturer to delay TSBs and recalls for monetary reasons, or until they've fully investigated the issues. But to just let a manufacturer sell you a faulty product and accept it without question is insane.

Randomly a customer service specialist from the dealership called me yesterday, I explained the situation to him, he's supposed to be calling me by 5:30 today, we'll see how that works out.

 

Yes actually. The transmission fluid must meet certain specs listed in your owner's manual. However this spec if very specific to honda (As opposed to most makers using various ASE specs) GM fluid technically does not meet honda's spec so they could void your transmission warrenty for using the fluid.

In practice this is probably a non-issue, but something to consider.

 

How many miles are on the car? As the power train warranty is for 6 years or 70k miles, not the standard 3 x 36k or 4 x 50k. I had a issue with the rear main bearing leaking on my Prelude that had 50k miles on it when I changed the clutch, they ended up cutting the price to a third the normal cost and replacing the bearing under warranty(since they had to be in there anyway).

This is an issue that is company wide for Honda. The TL is not the only one that suffers from this. We got the idea to use the GM fluid from the guys running it in there S2000. There are now Honda dealers that are stocking this fluid just for the purpose of replacing it in the TL. The fluid they used from the factory was not doing the job it was intended to do, this is why the GM fluid ELIMINATES the problem.

 

I need to monitor this thread.

I've experienced popping out of third gear twice. The very first time it happened, I thought maybe it was me not engaging the gear entirely. Now after reading all the threads about this issue, I now know it was not me.

I will have my dealer change the fluid.

 

so the 99-04 TLs had 3rd gear problems in the transmission on the AT now it has 3rd gear problems on the 06-07 TLs but this time on a MT?

 

My '05 had the same issue. It was in the shop 4 different times and on the last trip in they ended up replacing 3rd gear all together. So i would demand them changing the gear out, because the GM fluid nor another little part that they replaced fixed anything. Demand a gear! But i havent had a problem since i traded in my '05 for an '07 Type-S .

 

I got 70 k and a new clutch.....bitch flies! lol Im not going to the syncromesh anymore.... the tech drained it out when he did the clutch the other day with me there... he asked me whether I want the GM (that Id have to supply obviously) or the honda.... I said why the question?he showed me rather than told me.... he saw more particles in the mesh than the honda fluid would usually drop out....and he said its not something new hes seen it in a few others that use the GM.... but he hasnt had any problems and doesnt know if it would create probs later on....I went back to honda's fluid instead.

 

No,,,

The "early" 04TLs required an oil jet install in the AT to improve oiling/cooling. No other AT "epidemics" after that...

Many MT owners have been experiencing issues with 3rd gear with all years of the 3G (haven't heard that many on the 07 however).

 

Hmmm....When I changed over from the factory fill, there was a ton of particles in that fluid. Maybe I'll change my plans and check it earlier than 15K. At 6K, the amount of stuff in the fluid was pretty bad.

I assume you were using the GM fluid. Did you have a problem with 3rd gear? If you did, once you went back to the Honda fluid, did the problem return?

 

I just read this thread. I have a 2003 TL that is unfortunately not covered under the extended trans warranty. Do you think the GM synchromesh trans fluid would help my A/T transmission?

 

AMGala...you prolly just need a new trans....find one...and i'll put it in for you....at a nice hefty cost of course....Im in the Hartford area....

but i have notice the 3rd gear issue...it happend twice to me....and sometimes i feel iffy about shifting into third....especially on cold mournings....but once its warmed up....it goes in smooth.....oh well....ill wait to blow third out and have it warranted.

 

Yours is the second report I've read here of this. The first was someone who had a Blackstone Labs analysis done.

I'm still considering the switch, though. I've had issues with going into 3rd a couple of times, but I always notice a slight notchiness that's not there in any other gears. I just take my time shifting when the trans is cold, and don't have problems anymore. But, if the GMSMF makes it better, which is pretty much universally reported, I'll go with that, and do more frequent (say, yearly) drains with analysis.

To the OP- there is no way you are going to get the car lemon'd over this. I understand you wanting this issue fixed properly just on principle, but consider that your principles may be more of a burden to you than to Honda.

Todd

 

I called a local chevy dealer, asked if they had it with the right part # etc...they said they did, went there and picked it up. The guy asked me what I was doing with it, I said, "don't worry about it".

he then proceeded to say "is that your car out there"
I say, "yes it is"
he says, "damn that's a nice car, too bad GM can't design cars that look that simple but yet so sexy"
I say, "thats why I never have, nor never WILL, spend a single penny on an american car"
He says "yeah well, I work here to pay the bills, I drive foreign cars"

 

LOLLLL

that's why you are my favorite mod...


btw - how many times are we going to talk about the same shit?!?!? LOL topic at a "high level" is just so PLAYED OUT KIDS

 

 

I dont get it how people read this thread and think it has to do with A/T as well. or 2G TL's

This problem has only been associated with 3G TL 6MT's. I remember back when I first started having this issue I was not a big fan of just putting the GM fluid in. But I did at least 5 tranny fluid changes and read many many threads. Members have had syncro's changed and tranny's changed. Some still after all that experienced the issue again. We have members on here that have had the GM fluid in for thousands of miles with no issues.

The OP sounds as if hes going to take on Acura. I took them on for almost a year. Unless you want them tearing into your tranny then I say again, put the GM shit in and call it a day. Even if they were to come out with a TSB it will be at most a fluid change. So I cant stress this enough, take it from someone who has already gone through this. You will get very tired of dealing with it.

Wheres Adobeman? he went through this about the same time I did....

 

Bought my 08 TL-S MT about a month ago and until I read this thread, I thought it my problem (not having had a MT in a while). I'm definitely going to bring this problem to my dealerships attention when I take it in for it's 1st service.

Thanks guys. We'll see what they're willing to do to fix this problem. I wouldn't want it to screw up my car.

 

[QUOTE=gauravp123
I say, "thats why I never have, nor never WILL, spend a single penny on an american car"[/QUOTE]

I thought the TL was designed in California & built in Ohio with mostly US sourced parts?