Hello all, I'm new to the forums and new to Hondas. I have a backround in cars and typically do my own work. I bought an 05 TL automatic trans. recently with 105k on it. It has a prior salvage due to front end collosion and had a new engine cradle and entirely new front end put on, amongst other things. It had been driving great, plenty of acceleration and shifting fairly smoothly. I have continually checked the tranny fluid under manufacturer procedure and it has remained at full. The fluid seemed very light and transparent to me, although it would make sense that it would thin out when hot. Now the issue: as of late when I shift into reverse from a standstill, it doesn't "catch" for 2-3 seconds. The car rolls as if in neutral until it finds the gear. ALL of the shifts suddenly seem harder and much more noticable as well. I have parts on the way for the 105k maintenance but have not flushed the tranny yet. Any advice on what may be causing this? It's very worrisome after only having the car a month. Thanks in advance!

 

For starters, I would just drain and refill. No Flush
I have noticed after changing my trans fluid shifting into gears is a bit quicker and less harsh.
Do you know if the fluid history? If it was changed by prior owner or dealer?

 

The fluid was not changed at the dealer and I don't have the previous owner's service history. Surprisingly, the fluid appears clean and full however. Is it out of the ordinary for the fluid to seem really thin and light while on the dipstick? I know there have been known issues with TL transmissions, is this a known model or symptom?

 

Sounds like your transmission is on its way out.. fluid drain and refill 3x3 quarts and pressure switches and hope for the best

 

I haven't been under the car yet but I read there is a drain plug for transmission. Does this drain the majority of fluid from the system or is only approximately 1/3 like dropping the pan in most cars? Is this what your recommending I do rather than pump out ALL the fluid and have it refilled?

 

Yes it does not drain it all when you pull the plug, do not pump it out. Most people do a 3x3 flush with good results.

 

hence the 3x3 suggestion above 3 quarts, drive a few miles, repeat 3 times.

 

Thanks everyone I appreciate your advice. An update: I hadn't been driving the car the past 4 or so days (both headlights were burnt out and I was waiting for them to arrive!) and thats when i noticed the issue. Today is the first day I got back to routine and the issue is all but gone... not sure how to interpret that but I'll take it. Still planning on doing the drain and fill next week.

 

So I still havent seen it for myself but I've looked into it and theres a fill plug on the tranny right? I don't wanna sound like an idiot but how do you fill it when your laying down under the car with a jug? I heard filling through the dipstick is not recommended...why?

 

The fill plug is under the fuse box under the hood, you might have to move the fusebox over so you can get more room. The bolt should be marked ATF.

You CAN fill it through the dipstick, but that hole is really small and you'd have to rig something up small enough with a funnel to get the fluid in. Since there's an actual bolt for fill why not use that?

Here's a DIY that includes transmission fluid drain/fill where you can see the bolt under the fusebox.

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-video-777798/