Hi all! I picked up my 07 TL 3.2 up from the Dealership today after a front motor mount and wiper blade replacement. After I got on the interstate to go home I noticed that the torque converter wasn't locking up. I tried manual mode and no luck. The tach was at 2,000 RPMs at 58 MPH and I couldn't get them to drop. So I tried flooring it to try to get the transmission to snap out of the funky behavior. When I floored it the trans kicked down to 3rd and the revs went up to 5,000 and stayed there (kinda like a CVT) and then I got out of the throttle and heard a thunk. When I went to apply the throttle again the engine only revved as if the gearbox was in neutral. I immediately pulled over and turned the engine off. When I did I could smell burning transmission fluid and smoke was coming out from under the hood. I then called the dealer (rather angrily), and they provided me with the phone number to their preferred towing company. They arrived in an impressive 20 minutes and the driver was very kind and helpful. After he loaded my car onto the flatbed we saw that ATF was just pouring out from the underside of the car. We arrived back at the Acura dealer and my service advisor had gone home. We then talked to another advisor and she gave me a new RDX with only 700 miles on the ODO to drive until they can get things sorted. No word on if they're going to pay or not and I'm supposed to get a phone call sometime tomorrow. My baby only has 98,000 miles on her it and if they refuse to pay my insurance will probably end up totaling the car out.
Thoughts or ideas on what could've happened or appreciated!
Zach

 

A transmission fluid leak, but it could be from anywhere from TC, seals and gaskets, lines, the transmission pan , etc.. a pic would have been a big help so you can kind of see where it was leaking from.

low transmission fluid while you were driving can cause the TC to not lock up and act weird.. I hope you did not toast your transmission. Good luck and keep us updated as to what the dealer says..

 

Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the tech didn't punctured the trans cooler when changing out the mount.

 

The worst part about this is getting them to accept blame if it really was their fault. Assuming OP had his tranny fluid chaned at the dealer, he might have some sort of case

 

If there is fin damage and/or holes on the engine side of the radiator near where the mount is, then I'd say that would be conclusive. The OP needs to visually inspect that area ASAP.

 

My thoughts is maybe they knocked loose the transmission lines into the radiator and caused all the fluid to leak from said crack.

 

^^^ That would take some kind of force to pop those lines off, wouldn't it?

 

I mean the dealer tech while working on the front motor mount accidentally knocked it

 

I haven't heard anything from the dealer yet. I'm going to give them a call at 12:00. I'm the second owner of my car and it was originally bought at this dealer and has been serviced there exclusively by the previous owner and myself. The trans fluid has been changed twice. Once by the previous owner and once by me. The last time it was changed was this past July or about 6,500 miles ago and that same dealer performed both of those services. My car was also in for an Oil change, inspection and upper motor mount replacement less than a month ago. I didn't get the chance to inspect the car last night as it was almost completely dark outside. By the time I pulled over on the shoulder of the interstate and checked the transmission dipstick it was bone dry so it's going to need a new transmission for sure. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens during my phone call. I also have a dashcam in my car that records 1080p video and has audio so I can prove that I did not do anything that would cause damage to my car after leaving the dealership.

 

Okay i don't think your story is straight.. In your OP you said you left the dealership from doing the motor mount.


Then now you're saying the motor mount was done less than a month ago..?? Which is it?

 

Could be a different mount?

 

They did the side mount a month ago. This time it was the front mount.

 

Yeah. They did the upper side mount a month ago since they had the part in stock. I had the front mount done this time since they were booked up and had to order the part in

 

99% sure this one is on them. You really need to go into the shop and take a look before they can cover up their error....

and if your dash cam records audio and comes on automatically, it may have caught some incriminating audio this morning or even yesterday while at the shop....

You also might want to retrace your route from the dealer and see if you can tell where the fluid first starting pouring out on the road.

 

I called the dealer and they said that they just needed to replace the radiator and that my transmission went into failsafe mode. I'm not buying it because I had no warning lights or chimes from the car at all when this happened. They said if the transmission ends up letting go that they'll stand behind it. I'm going to drive the TL harder than a rented Ferrari until the transmission breaks. Thoughts?

 

Get everything in writing and see if there is a certain amount of miles they will "stand behind". I have never heard of a fail safe mode, but shit if they will fix it, I would be ok with this fail safe mode! Is the radiator replacement at their cost or yours?

 

Why does the radiator need to be replaced?

Ask them where one can find documentation of this "fail safe mode". It would be better to do this in person and watch the service manager panic... While you're there, ask them to show you the radiator and I'm pretty sure you will clearly see where the tech damaged it when removing the mount. They probably assigned some 17-year old newbie to do this job...

I don't know enough about ATs to know if there is such a thing as "fail safe". I'd be sure and get that all in writing. I'd get an attorney to draw up something for them to sign if they are not willing to go on written record guaranteeing that they'll fix the trans. Also, how long is that promise good for?

Edit: As I think about it, I think it's attorney time. You're looking at a potential $4K expense if they screw you around. This may be something that needs to be replaced now. Heck, it may run another year/12K miles and then fail because of damage caused by this incident. What then? You're screwed is what....

 

Rad was on them and I'm not driving my car home until they fix it right. I'm going to have to go up there and argue in person. The dealer is Ed Martin Acura in Indianapolis by the way

 

Yeah, this needs to be done in person. You're a step ahead if they are replacing the radiator at no cost.

Did they actually admit that it was damaged by their tech? You need to get this part in writing. Keep cool but remain firm. Again, it might be worthwhile to get an attorney to represent you. Easier for me to say because I have one on retainer for my business, but it could be ~$200 well spent which might actually be billable to the dealership... A consult is usually free..

 

This right here is key.

 

Alright I'll do my best. I'm going up there this afternoon. So what all should I ask to see?

 

As has been mentioned, if they are willing to cover the rad, they know what they did and IMHO you should be demanding a tranny replacement. If it was bone dry, god knows the damage you already did and it might pop up randomly in a couple months to a year and at that point they can say they are off the hook. The biggest issue here is that they are currently trying to satiate you by dangling this rad in front of you...distracting you from the fact they messed up your tranny and hoping it will blow over by the time the tranny blows.

I have heard of limp mode (where the engine will not rev high and pressing the gas takes forever to get the car to accelerate) but this is not limp mode at all. And therefore the fail safe is BS.

 

Okay so I just picked up my car and it made it all the way home this time! Everything seems to be fine and I even did several full throttle pulls. The dealer is going to warranty a transmission replacement with a remanufactured one from Acura if mine starts acting up again within 12 months or 12,000 miles. I have it in writing and the service manager's signature. They also cleaned all of the ATF from underneath my car and it doesn't smell at all.

 

Well, good news, I guess.

I'm guessing the dealership won this one (meaning that the tranny will go out shortly after the 12K/ 1 year mark), but let's hope not.

Did they admit that their tech busted the radiator??

 

Yes. They claimed that the tech stripped the lines out and that caused them to pop off

 

Well looks like you have a year to drive her hard

 

Haha he better rape the hell out of it lmao!

 

On my paperwork the dealer said that they recommend a Sub 4 service and an oil pump reseal for next time. The quote on my paper work says $3,650. Why is it so much??

 

To make up for the cost of the transmission


The oil pump is a pretty laborious task so they charge a lot for it. (Think timing belt and then some )

 

The oil pump reseal cost as much as a TB/WP job because they require the removal of the TB. Usually I ask them to inspect the oil pump during 105k service.

 

Good to hear they fixed it temporarily!!! Hopefully the trans is fine, but I would make sure to drive it hard in the next 12 months / 12,000 miles!!! Time to let her breathe!

 

Just got back from a spirited drive. Now it revs up about 300rpm while changing gear at redline and the 2-3 upshift was so harsh it triggered the traction control...

 

Tell me more about how the service manager claims it's OK to run a transmission dry of fluid because it goes into "failsafe" mode?

I still think you'd be best served by consulting an attorney.

 

Is there any way I can edit some of my other posts? I want to change some of what I said to protect myself incase somebody sees it.

 

He said that there was still enough fluid in it so it wouldn't have caused any damage... Which is utter BS. But, I just checked the level 10 minutes ago while the trans was hot and there was nothing on the dipstick AGAIN!

 

There's nothing wrong with spirited driving. Any AT should be able to handle that. But you would have to contact a moderator to do what you want to do..

How much fluid did they put back in? What does your paperwork say?

Did they just add fluid or did they do a drain and fill?

Exactly how much fluid can drain out and the transmission is still safe?

Sorry to say, but they fucked you and you fucked yourself. Get an attorney....

Really don't know why I'm wasting my time on this anymore... It's OK, I remember being 21. You couldn't tell me anything then either

 

My cousin is an attorney and he is in the top 5 best in the state of Indiana. Paperwork says "PREFORMED TRANS FLUSH." I have the service manager's signature on the paperwork and it says that If I have any issues with the transmission within 12 months or 12,000 miles after the service they will stand behind it and replace it. I have also contacted Acura Client care and they have called the service manager and are aware of the terms of my transmission replacement. So, no I wouldn't say I have fucked myself.

 

If your trans dip stick isn't reading any fluid, crack the fill bolt and add some. See if that fixes it.

 

Where's the fill bolt at? It showed some fluid two days ago when I picked it up. I suppose it's burning it off since I'm not leaking anything. Transmission smells hot when I pull it in the garage.

 

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