So...had to replace the tranny in our 2004 TL auto. It’s got 120,000 miles. I think in that time, only one partial fluid replacement was done. The fluid though, when we replaced it, wasn’t burnt smelling, but was very dark.
Suddenly it wouldn’t shift properly, just spun in neutral. If it was cold, we could get the car to move, but not for long. We decided to replace with a rebuild from H and A Transmissions as they are the company American Honda uses and all the dealers use.

http://www.hnatrans.com/index.htm

About 60 miles after the rebuild though, it started acting up. Symptoms were dash lights all came on (VSA, check engine, exclamation point and gear indicator light flashing). Car wouldn’t do manual shifting. At freeway speeds, wouldn’t downshift with full throttle, after accelerating onto freeway, would stick in 3rd gear. If speeds dropped below 35mph, it would downshift properly. On freeway, wouldn’t upshift to 5th. Stays in fourth. From dead cold, it seemed to shift normally for about 10 miles. After turned off and allowed to cool a little, we could get a mile out of it before the symptoms.

So, it’s being looked at now, but based on this, what do you guys think? Tranny again? Computer?

 

It could be the trans but I would start with electronics. That's the problem with most replacements and rebuilds, they cheap out on replacing the electronics when it's likely the electronics are what caused the first failure.

Once you get it sorted out, replace the fluid with Redline racing and make sure the 3rd and 4th gear switches are new.

 

OK, give me a little more explanation. I don't know exactly were the parts are located. When you say the electronics, you mean they are in the tranny housing itself? The rebuild was a full replacement unit. I know that the parts may not be OE quality, but the company is the same that American Honda buys it's rebuilds from that they ship to dealers. I confirmed this with the company as well as a relative that works for American Honda at the headquarters in the parts department. I decided to do this cause a part by part rebuild was gonna be $1500-2000 and so for $2000 I just got the whole thing replaced.

 

Two more questions, were are the "switches" you mention and regarding fluid. The service manual says a rebuild will take 7.8 quarts. Is that the same to just fill up the replacement unit? I ask cause I gave the shop 12 quarts, a case, of Acura tranny fluid and they didn't give me any back.

 

Chances are they transferred your old sensors, swtiches, and solenoids over from the old unit. If not, they're probably using used ones. The odds of having all new electronics are slim to none.

There's a thread on the 3rd and 4th gear switches in the "problems and fixes" section titled "Very interesting conversation with my trans builder" or something like that. It explains what needs to be replaced and why. There are some links in that thead to DIYs with pictures.

The switches I'm referring to are on the outside near the driver's tire. Very easy to get to. However, these are not causing all of your current issues. There are several solenoids/sensors on the outside and some on the inside. The reason I say to replace them is answered in detail in the other thread. They are what usually cause these transmissions to fail. Replacing them every 50K or so will ensure a long life.

Most likely the problem is with the new trans and it's electronics. There's the small chance it's the car's ECU and/or wiring but not as likely.

Your '04 should have an oil jet kit installed. Have you looked at the fill plug to see if it's a regular plug or if it has a rubber hose going to it?

 

The trans holds 7.8 quarts but only 3 of them are in the pan. The rest is in the torque convertor. So when you pull the drain plug only 3 quarts come out. You drain and fill, drive it around the block and drain and fill 2 more times doing the same thing. The new fluid in the pan mixed with the old fluid in the convertor each time which is why we do it 3 times so it's mostly new fluid.

As for the 12 quarts, they probably kept some. The best thing you can do if you want it to last a long time is to stay far, far away from factory fluid and replace switches every 50-60K. It will live a long life if you do this.

 

Ok, I'll check out that thread. Boy, it would suck if that was the problem and not the tranny itself since I just paid $2000 for it! I sure hope the current issue is with the new rebuilt tranny, cause then I pay nothing...

Regarding the stick...well, I checked it several times, didn't notice a hose going to it, but it's sort of in a small tight space, so I could have missed it since I wasn't looking for it. The stick though is a design that has to be inserted in the exact correct way if that means anything.

I mean the stick itself didn't have a hose, but I don't know about the tube it goes into.

 

The switches control shift timing and firmness. As they fail shifts get slower and softer resulting in a ton of wear on the clutches, shudder, and eventual failure. These switches seem to be causing the majority of the failures but somehow Acura won't acknowlege it.

 

Interestingly, the first 50 miles or so that the car drove fine, the shifts were definitely much more firm than before.

 

wow the third generation TL's have transmission problems too!!! you can't win from losing...

what years in this generation are not prone from transmission failure?

I'm sorry because I'm new in this section and i am planning on moving up a generation this coming year.

 

'04 seems to be the only problem year and even with that, failures are pretty rare. It is the only year that requires the oil jet kit. Many of us have 100,000+ on the original transmissions. Luckily we found out a while ago that Z1 fluid sucks and the switches are what cause the 3rd gear failures and it has greatly extended the life of the transmissions. I'm sure this would apply to 2nd gens too.

I have 94,000 miles on mine with several track days and it's regularly operated in 110+ degree summers. With the Redline fluid and new switches it shifts better than new.

 

Two questions: Where do you buy Redline fluid? Which one is applicable to this transmission?

 

D4 and "racing". D4 is a huge improvement over stock and racing will give the quickest shifts without being harsh and the lowest clutch wear.

You will most likely have to buy online. I buy from Jegs becuase they're quick and reliable but there are many places. Some members have found some pretty good discounts online.

 

Thank you for the information.

I remember something about the old Legends needing to have the shift solenoids swapped out as well. I was getting some clunky shifts with my 1 Gen two or three years ago and the 3rd gear solenoid was going bad and I had all of them replaced to be safe. Wasn't cheap, but good insurance to keep that transmission working.

 

sorry man to hear about the badluck ... but i guess 120k is not too bad on one tranny is it? how long are trannies without issues suppose to last?

 

Well, I've heard, but don't know if it's true, that the tranny in the 2004-5 is the same as the 2nd gen TL. Also, I've heard lots of stories about the tranny's having problems at low miles, but our car has 120,000 on it.

Otherwise, though, we absolutely LOVE this car.

 

So, this oil jet kit. It's an aftermarket thing...a recall....tell me more.

 

It was a "band aid" to help solve one of the problems with this trans. Mine is a 04 and it has this oil jet kit. If you look at the fill plug (on top of trans near firewall) you will see rubber hose t'eed off and it dumps right into this fill hole. It flows trans fluid right on top of a gear that does not get properly lube.

I think in 05 the design changed and the oil jet kit was placed inside the trans. My description of this might be a little hazy but I'm sure someone can explain it better

dcrandon, how many miles did you put on your transmission? I mean did you buy it used or are you the original owner?

 

Aw...I think this is what the recall was about. It talked about installing a kit to to oil a certain gear. They either installed the kit, or gave you a new tranny. Our TL was not part of this early 04 recall, so we must have a tranny were they did it internally.

Although you mention the plug being near the firewall...on our tranny the dipstick is way away from the firewall. It's near the front edge of the block. Just about the same distance the oil dipstick is from the firewall.

We bought the car direct from American Honda in 06 with about 26,000 miles on it. We now have about 120,000 on it.