Pressure switches, who has replaced them more than once?

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Old 02-19-2014 | 10:32 PM
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Pressure switches, who has replaced them more than once?

Just wondering. I just did my 3rd set when I did the timing belt a week ago and once again it's a big difference. It goes into gear quicker instead if sticking in 3rd before going into 1st. Shifts are less noticeable yet quicker. It seems to shift just a few rpm sooner but that's subjective really. The torque converter even engages much better. Instead of sliding into lockup over the course of a couple seconds it fully locks up in a little under a second.

So my point to this thread is not to stop at just replacing them the one time. They are all factory switches, they all go bad in about the same amount of time. They get out of calibration so gradually that you don't notice it until it's too late and excessive wear has occurred.

Case in point is my torque converter lockup. I have been aware of the shifts getting a little sloppier about to develop into a bump shift but I used to do advanced drivability and troubleshooting for a living and bad shifts are easy to recognize. The torque converter lockup strategy however, slipped past me. I was aware that it slid into lockup slowly but some cars are supposed to very gradually lock up and even partially lock up (slip) for a bit of time.

As time went on I forgot how the TCC was supposed to lock up and I didn't realize it had gotten so slow (for this model car). Now I'm a little disappointed that I waited this long to replace them. These cars have had known converter problems, specifically slipping clutch that burns up. With the switches affecting lockup, I have to wonder if they aren't one part of the cause of the converter failures.

I'm convinced these switches much be replaced every two years regardless of mileage. Mine seemed to start shifting sloppy in the same amount of time whether I went 70,000 miles in 2 years or currently 6,000 miles in 2 years. Time seems to be what counts.

I've also got a theory that the Type F fluid works very well (the best of all of the fluid types) at reducing transmission wear but it MUST be coupled with fresh switches. There's a couple things the transmission does when the switches get out of calibration that can make the Type F give problems. I've been running Type F for about 50,000 miles and I was using good Amsoil Dex III from about 20k to 70k and I've never had anything resembling a flare but I change my switches more than most.

I'm starting to see more noobs that are only doing fluid and a TON of misinformation about the popular fluids and switches. A regular replacement interval should be applied to switches just as it is with fluid. I believe switch replacement is important with every fluid but it becomes more important as you reduce FM levels.
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Old 02-19-2014 | 10:42 PM
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I just did mine 4 months ago and 4,000km, but I'll certainly be wanting to do them again in a couple of years.
Old 02-19-2014 | 10:44 PM
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I just did my first switch replacement at 90k, but I need to start doing them every 30k with fluid change. I need to do the timing belt still, sitting at 106k or so..and it's so damn cold I can't work on it... (MN here)
Old 02-19-2014 | 10:48 PM
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I hope the 16 years olds that are buying these cars know that the maintenance is pretty high!
I make an average living and I'm like, "shit, again!?"
Old 02-19-2014 | 11:00 PM
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I figure changing the switches out every 50K might be a decent idea. I do the ATF changes every 20-30k and might extend a little longer with the decent fluid in the system now.
Old 02-19-2014 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by justnspace
I hope the 16 years olds that are buying these cars know that the maintenance is pretty high!
I make an average living and I'm like, "shit, again!?"
Girl stop. Hella JDM mods with tow hooks and garage door weather stripping front lips are priority! Can't forget the illest stickers too.



I believe I swapped mine around 90k and though I haven't driven much the last few years and haven't had any transmission issues, I should probably do them again.
Old 02-19-2014 | 11:34 PM
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I HAVE to change them out sooner, the characteristic of sloppy shifting becomes noticeable in my car. I also change out the Fluid around that time, but I think my TC is toast on mine. I tried resetting ECU to maybe help the slow, sloppy shifting.

I changed mine out roughly 105k miles than 125k miles than 143k or so and will do another change for my next oil change. I'm still transitioning slowly from Z-1 to DW-1 to REdline D4. Had DW-1 for 20k miles before the constant intervals of changing it out was too much. Moved to D4 which helped but my car still feels slow.
Old 02-19-2014 | 11:58 PM
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I had a new tranny put in a few thousand miles ago when it went out. Wonder if it came with new switches? Probably should do mine if it didn't.
Old 02-20-2014 | 05:08 AM
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lusid's Avatar
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From: TC, MN
Originally Posted by rossv1
I had a new tranny put in a few thousand miles ago when it went out. Wonder if it came with new switches? Probably should do mine if it didn't.
100bux > new tranny (male or female)
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Old 02-20-2014 | 05:51 AM
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Did my second set a few months ago which was 3 years after I did my first install. I change my fluid annually even though it is an overkill.
Old 02-20-2014 | 07:07 AM
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I need to do my second change soon. I changed them out initially around 90k. I've got 171k on the clock now. I've been slacking. Thanks for the reminder. I do change the fluid out every other oil change 1x3- using DW-1.
Old 02-20-2014 | 07:56 AM
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I changed them out the first time at ~36K, as well as changed fluid with old OEM. Just changed them again at ~65K, and also converted over to redline D4 from the old OEM fluid.
Old 02-20-2014 | 08:22 AM
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Just did the first change at 61k on mine (new owner). Man what a pain to get to on the 2007. I'll plan on doing it again when the timing belt job is due.
Old 02-20-2014 | 09:43 AM
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Did mine twice. First time I did it, there was a noticeable improvement. That lasted a few months. A couple months ago I did it again. Again a noticeable improvement. But this time it took only a couple days before it started shifting sloppy again. Something else is up. I have also noticed the TC slipping from time to time.

Not to mention now I have a crazy long delay from R into D when the car is cold. Takes about 5 seconds. Goes away when the car is warmed up. Everyday I regret not getting that 6speed.
Old 02-20-2014 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by rockyfeller
Did mine twice. First time I did it, there was a noticeable improvement. That lasted a few months. A couple months ago I did it again. Again a noticeable improvement. But this time it took only a couple days before it started shifting sloppy again. Something else is up. I have also noticed the TC slipping from time to time.

Not to mention now I have a crazy long delay from R into D when the car is cold. Takes about 5 seconds. Goes away when the car is warmed up. Everyday I regret not getting that 6speed.
If it happens only when cold you might try a thinner fluid. Maybe a couple quarts of the lightweight fluid and D4. Or you can go with a Dex VI fluid, Redline, Amsoil, lots of companies have their version and since it's a viscosity requirement, all of them will be thinner than Z1 and close to DW-1.
Old 02-20-2014 | 10:44 AM
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I still have yet to do mine, at 108k in a 07 base. I know these have fewer problems than the 04-06, but im still going to do them. Had one drain/refill at the dealer at 90k, but i wanna switch over to redline. I will be ordering soon, my shifts are sloppy at times and I dont like it. Told the dealer about the pressure switches and they laughed. "we just replace the tranny when it goes out" is basically what they said. I'll order them when I order my timing belt goodies. Im still a bit hesitant on which redline fluid to buy. I've read all the threads and talked to my trans guy about it. D4 or type f...
Old 02-20-2014 | 11:13 AM
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I'm at 130k on my 08 and I plan on changing mine for the first time this spring when it warms up. The shifts are still ok but it does have a pretty good delay between hit the paddle shift and the transmission doing anything about it. The previous owner followed the MID perfectly and did any required maintenance but he wasn't a car guy and I don't think he even know a transmission had a pressure switch let alone change them out.

I will also be changing them out on my wife's 07 Accord V6 with 70k on the clock.
Old 02-20-2014 | 03:35 PM
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Havent done mine yet, sitting at 78k miles. Have a 2007 so my TL has the RL transmission in it. Dealers says not to worry about it till one starts going out, also said that he's at 350k on his and he's never replaced his.

Doing mine at 105k when I do the recommended tune up. Not going to sit around and wait till I have a problem with mine.
Old 02-20-2014 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by I hate cars
If it happens only when cold you might try a thinner fluid. Maybe a couple quarts of the lightweight fluid and D4. Or you can go with a Dex VI fluid, Redline, Amsoil, lots of companies have their version and since it's a viscosity requirement, all of them will be thinner than Z1 and close to DW-1.
Yeah it started happening ever since I did D4 in there. No mix, I did 3x3 with D4. I should introduce some of the lightweight stuff I guess. And ya I've seen all your recommendations before, should have known better.
Old 02-21-2014 | 04:50 PM
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I am about to change mine out after a year of the current replacements being on there. When downshifting from 4-3rd it feels like an engine brake with a hard dip. Hopefully that will fix it.
Old 02-25-2014 | 08:48 AM
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I have never changed my switches and bought the car at 55K miles. I did start introducing Amsoil synthetic at about 65k miles and and completed it at around 70-72K miles. What a difference it made and it still shifts great. I guess if I am going to keep the car it may be wise to change the switches. I'm at 119,500 miles.

Also should I introduce another drain and refill? How long does the Amsoil usually last?
Old 02-25-2014 | 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by NBP_BALLER
I still have yet to do mine, at 108k in a 07 base. I know these have fewer problems than the 04-06, but im still going to do them. Had one drain/refill at the dealer at 90k, but i wanna switch over to redline. I will be ordering soon, my shifts are sloppy at times and I dont like it. Told the dealer about the pressure switches and they laughed. "we just replace the tranny when it goes out" is basically what they said. I'll order them when I order my timing belt goodies. Im still a bit hesitant on which redline fluid to buy. I've read all the threads and talked to my trans guy about it. D4 or type f...
Use both! I'm using a 65% mixture. 2 parts type f & 1 part d4.

I did that for the first time at 45k miles and also changed all 3 switches. Car is at 81k miles now and I have another 4 bottles of redline atf in my room waiting to get put in the next time I do my oil change.
Old 02-28-2014 | 11:52 AM
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So I am new to the TL lifestyle, and to this forum for that matter. We recently took ownership of a 2007 TL-S (Auto) that belonged to my father-in-law. Let me just say a huge power-step above the 2008 Honda Accord (I-4) we had .

I've been perusing the forum and have read several threads about replacing the pressure switches in the 3rd gen TL to improve the shifting within the transmission. Our TL-S has approximately 103k miles on the odometer and noticed the shifting was a bit firm at times, but other than that no concerns.

So I jumped on the bandwagon and elected to replace the switches to not only see if there was a considerable difference in the shift-quality, but I was also itching to find something to do on the car since the 105K maintenance had already been taken care of a couple thousand miles ago.

While not earth-shattering, I would definitely say there was an improvement: shifting is smoother and more responsive, and I no longer have what felt like a "double-bump" when going into Drive from Reverse.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my own experience and by the way, great forum!
Old 02-28-2014 | 11:46 PM
  #24  
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I did my first set with Redline fluid at 109k miles. Around 220k I started noticing possible transmission issues and did my second set. I didn't notice a major difference with the first set but I did the second set. Unfortunately my transmission would only last another 20k miles before going all the way out.

When I installed the new transmission I reused the second set seeing as they were still fairly new. I also installed a transmission cooler and did away with the OEM filter and went with a Magnafine. Hoping that those upgrades and better routine fluid changes will get me a bit more life this time.
Old 03-01-2014 | 07:33 AM
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I have a 08 with just short of 80k miles. I have the upgraded RL transmission internals as well.
I changed to all redline d4 at 50k miles and once a year I change out 3 quarts with fresh d4.
I have not seen any conclusive issues needing switches on here on the 07-08's.
My transmission is still shifting fine and the car is driven like a grandma, I have other cars to beat on when I have the itch to go fast.

Last edited by Red89gt; 03-01-2014 at 07:37 AM.
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