Iaco

I have a 2004 TL auto with 77,000 miles. I was driving on the highway at about 40 mph, and traffic was building up so I came to stop, when I tried to start moving, the car wouldn’t move. The revs went up but the car was acting as if it was in neutral. I shifted to park then back to drive, still nothing. I put it in low, and the car moved, once I had speed I put it back in drive, and it worked well (all the other gears except 1st worked), until I stopped again, then first gear would not engage again. I re-started the car and everything worked again normally.

3 months later, same thing, I come to a stop, and the car wont engage first gear. I went to manual mode and selected 2nd gear and the car moved. When I put it back to first gear the same thing again, acting as if it was in neutral. After I re-started the car first gear engaged as normal.

What do you think the issue is? What are my options to fix this?
I checked the trans oil, looked clean. Changed trans oil (I am assuming Honda ATF-Z1) at the dealer 3 years ago at 57,000 miles.

pohljm

get the Z-1 out of there and replace with DW-1 or another fluid of your choice.

Iaco

Let me give some additional info...
When the transmission is slipping and not engaging 1st gear, acting as if it is neutral, the D light is not flashing. I brought it to my garage just in case to read the codes, and there were no codes stored. The 2 instances that this happened to me, were 2 months - 600 miles apart, (i know i said 3 months above). Both times this happened it was very cold outside, the last time was -25 degC (-10 degF).
To start I am going to change the oil this week.

Does anyone know if there is anything electrical that commands the transmission to go to first gear, solenoid maybe? Are there any connections that i can check? Maybe it's a loose connector, that latches a fault, but clears after i shutdown the car.

Iaco

I changed the transmission oil 1 time with DW1. The shifts feel stronger, but the issue persists. I will change the oil another time. Any experts on this issue? i called 2 dealers and they said they never heard of an issue like mine.

seven654three

I'm having the same issues you described. Did you ever get this fixed? I'm hoping my transmission isn't done.

Hoping to get a response on a thread from 5 years ago. LOL

thoiboi

Did you replace fluid? Did you check axle?

TL_cam

had the same issue 05 tl 125k. cleaned the solenoid, changed tranny fluid and filter, oil change, nothing changed the car wouldn't engage into first. just bought an 07 accord tranny with 80k miles on it

seven654three

Had the 3x3 transmission fluid service. Recently replaced the throttle body and APP sensor.

I'm not really sure how to check the axle myself but the issue doesn't always happen. If it was the axle I should expect constant issue correct?

BoogerJ615

Something strange happen to my 04 5AT TL the other day. Was driving to work and made a right turn as I did that my car began to jerk very aggressively like she was fighting to stay in gear... flash forward to after work. Got in car to go home and maybe not more then 10minutes later I came to a exit and stopped. When I tried to accelerate the car did nothing as if it was in neutral! At this time I noticed the check engine light was on, no other lights , no blinking D light, just the check engine tranny light. Did this several times and the only thing that would fix it was to cut the car off wait a few seconds then cut it back on. Barely made to to autozone ...... got scanned and got a P0722 code (output speed shaft sensor(UNRESPONSIVE)).. 2days later I replaced the part, cut the car on no more check engine light, but still the same problem. Checked my fluid level and it’s good. Little dark but not bad. I do need a oil change however now below %20.

BoogerJ615

having a similar problem. P0722 code for output speed sensor (unresponsive) replaced but still same problem. park is the only gear that will engage, but if I cut the car off and back on they will all engage for about a minute

csmeance

Sounds like there might be a broken wire from the sensor going to the car's computer. Follow the wires and make sure they are good.

Robbym

gets a fluid change not a fluid flush and use oem honda dw1. i would also change the filter which is located on top of the transmission. And i would also check the linear solenoid screens and clean them. this is how to do the filter. . thats me doing the linear solenoids on my 05 accord which is the same tranny as the tl. I called it the 3-4 switches but its actually the linear solenoid. Dont judge, i was only 17 when making that video.