kthai417

so sad, i think my tranny went bye bye.

4 days ago, while cruising on the hwy at about 70 i notice my RPM need shoot up to about 5k rpm, then everything went back to normal.

2 days ago, while driving at about 45-50, the rpm needle did the same thing

today, while driving for about 15-20min, tranny start slipping again, and was difficult to get in gear. i was 2 miles away from my house and manage to get it back home.

-i notice the trans start slipping or acting up after about 15-20min of driving each time.

-i have also notice a raspy/whiny noise on the left driver side near the tires when i start up the car -- i think its coming from the trans -- so this may be a sign of trans failure

-planning to take into the dealership tomorrow and do a tranny fluid change/flush, hopefully this will help the problem (fingers crossed)

- im a bit shock that the tranny is acting up because im a grandpa driver and i change my tran fluid a few times a year (doing the 3quart drain and fill). the first time i change it using the redline fluid, then after reading some thread on how its not good for your car, i change it back to the recommended mix ratio.

anyone have any thoughts on or other ideas on what i can do? i am assuming i need a new trans -- any idea how much that cost? 4-5k?

i have a 2004 TL w/ 141k miles, navi, aspec kit, and absolutely love the car. Not sure what else to get if i have to get a new car or put in the money and fix the trans.

any input is appreciate, thanks!

LoveMyTL-S

Well, if the car is paid for, it may be worth repairing. Why start a new car payment?

nfnsquared

Have you ever changed out the pressure switches?

There are a few epic threads on transmission woes/fixes. Read through them for more info.

erdoc48

^^ This, but I wouldn't ask this to be done at a dealership because they will probably want to up sell up on a new transmission. I'd have it done at an independent shop. It might fix the issue and might not, but it's a whole lot cheaper than a new tranny.

kthai417

yeah i changed the pressure switches at 105k miles.

got my tranny repaired.....2200 bucks yikes!

Red89gt

Can you share what the trans shop did to fix the trans to get you running again?

Dr.S

No kidding. If you're going to post, at least try to communicate something.

UA6

Usually there is a rebuild kit used to repair the tranny. That is what was explained to me when I got mine rebuilt last year. The tranny shop also recommended pouring some Lucas Oil Tranny Fix into the fill bolt.

Red89gt

I was just curious if that simple.

I have 2008 and I know there were some changes but haven't found the info with any detail. I am at 65k miles and trying to figure out if I should keep the car or trade. I would hate to get stuck with a trans bill after warranty.

My buddy has an 06 and his trans puked as well. Acura paid half because it was just out of warranty and he could find all his service records.

vtecboi24

I have a 2006 and mine starting with that whining/raspy noise coming from the drivers side of the engine compartment. Less than 3 weeks after the noise started and Acura told me the car "was fine and nothing to worry about" the transmission started slipping. I drove to my Acura dealer and the transmission quit on me. I could not get the car to move at all. I'm waiting to hear if Acura will approve a Goodwill Replacement. I'm crossing my fingers, because who really has $4,700.00 to throw at their car to replace a transmission...

csmeance

The 2007 got a different trans (2007-2008 TL use the same one), and the trans was gradually updated from 2004 to 2005 to 2006.

Plus the first fluid change at 60K didn't help either! You should be fine with your 08 TL and most folks getting new transmissions should be fine for a good bit since they have updated stuff!

Red89gt

I did the first fluid change at 56 or 58k can't remember but believe the maintenance schedule was 60k? Changed it imediately after seeing people having trouble with freash redline d4. The nasty condition of the factory fill fluid and the mag drain plug I would have changed at 40k miles.

Just drained and filled one cycle, 3.5 quarts, last week and the fluid resembled red this time. I could also clean the drain plug with one paper towel. I will most likely drain n fill once a year at a minimum. Still unsure how long this trans will go, I appreciate the info you posted. My car looks like new yet and I do not drive it hard at all. Best of all it's paid for, makes me want to keep it even more

cokorote

iTrader: (1)

Damn, you changed at 56-58k? Acura recommend every 30k. I change mine 3x1 at every oil change with redline d4 and 3rd and 4th pressure switch every year.

UA6

chinesestunna

I think it's every 30K after the first 3x3 flush which the manual says to do at 100K but of course we all know better. My Honda master tech tells me first change around 60K is fine and changing tranny fluid with ever oil change is overkill

cokorote

iTrader: (1)

You gotta be kidding me, Honda master tech tell you at 60k? When I hit 30k and I did drain and fill with the OEM ATF-Z1 3x3. Then at 48-49k I experience the nasty shudder and I went ahead to do the 4x3 with Redline d4. It completely fixed the nasty shudder.

From that moment it convinced me that the TL have glass transmission and need fresh fluid once a while. Now Im running 70k without problem. Overkill for sure, no doubt. But I have peace of mind knowing that I can run 150k or more.

Bandit77

Try some Doctor Transmission shudder fix from NAPA. I was having shudder and shift problems and put two of the small bottles in mine six months ago, it has been working fine since (knock on wood) it's worth a try for under $20.00 also I went to the synthetic transmission fluid at the same time.

kingkong_dav

once again stay away from redline atf.

Red89gt

Okay, opened the owners manual, states to change the trans fluid at 60k if operated in harsh operating conditions, which mine is far from, doing a long daily commute in the IL flatland. Than to change every 30k there after. A year later and 15k miles after a 3x3 at 60k I drained and filled it once and the fluid was still pink unlike the factory fill from the first change which was brown. I will do a 3x3 at 90-100k when the timing belt is due, if I still have the car.

Hope they got the trans woes figured out with the 07-08 upgrade, time will tell as the car is not abused and is maintained.

My beater accord didn't have the squeaks and rattles this car has and it had 150k miles on it. Stick shift, was smooth as warm knife in butter.

chinesestunna

To each their own that's just what he told me - also I think there's definitely something wrong with Z1, recently Acura/Honda changed all the Z1 to DW1 which I've read on other forums fixes some the the shudder issues

nj06tl

if you got 140K out of a 3rd generation Auto Trans you are lucky. I have an 06 and lost mine just recently at 105K.
TL trannys are sure made of glass..My transmission guy said it is all to often for them to go between 80-120K.
The dealer even told me that they dont last.
I did the 3x3 myself using Honda ATF at 45K and again at around 90K and even every 3rd oil change I would drain and replace 3...Tranny guy who I have used before and does excellent work said they are just weak.
Tom NJ

flyromeo3

i change my tranny fluid with oem every other oil change. So whats that? every 12k miles?

Red89gt

Still waiting to see if any feedback comes up on 07-08 trans as far as failures/problems and at what mileage. Majority replacements are the 04-06 that has proven weak, such a let down for owners.

kingkong_dav

use additives and save your t

chinesestunna

any specific recommendations?

chinesestunna

Sorry to hear man, approx how much should the tranny replace/rebuild job cost?

nj06tl

I am getting mine done for $2050.00 from a local south jesey guy who I have used before and does excellent work, Acura wanted 4500 for a factory Rebuild....NO Thanks. My Tranny guy said there is nothing you can do..NO aftermarket Cooler, NO Additive. They are just weak, all the Honda Transmissions suck in the newer vehicles..Pilots, Oddessy"s, even the Saturn bigger SUV all used the Same Variation of the same transmission used in the TL. Yea some will get lucky and get more miles out of them but over all they suck and are designed terrible and not to last.
want a vehicle that that Trans lasts get a Lexus.

chinesestunna

Ouch thanks for the info. I agree Honda trannys esp for V6 since 99 completely suck. My Honda Master Tech said same thing, esp as part of the class action suite Honda had to open a repair/rebuild plant in Ohio due to the number of trannys that had been replaced at that point.
Don't tempt me with that Lexus New GS looks pretty hot, even though Toyota is probably the most bleh car company I can think of

mb1976

I know this is an old thread but, yes Honda's transmission are really weak and sloppy on shifts. That's one of the reasons why I traded mine for a 13 Camry 4cyl 6AT. I've read somewhere that one person changed out the automatic transmission fluid in a Lexus ES350 with same 6AT at 90k and the fluid still looked good and no burnt smell

Scottwax

For anyone who is still using Z-1 Honda ATF, make the switch to DW-1. Even just one drain and fill made a noticeable improvement in shift quality so I did a second drain and fill. Probably do a couple more over the next month or two when I have time. The lazy part throttle 2-3 upshift is now firmed up and much quicker. 131k miles on the car, very late '04 build (May 2004) so supposedly whatever changes made during the '04 model year were done before my car was built.

But I was stunned how much improvement the new ATF makes.