Dsryan23

I have an 04 TL with about 150,000 miles

In the last month or so I have had the oil changed, and within the last 6 months had a transmission fluid flush, and more recently changed the bank 2 o2 sensor (front one by the radiator) to fix an issue I had with the check engine light coming on sometimes.

My TL has always run well but recently the car started shaking/sputtering while driving, but only when in low gears, going slow, like when I am traveling uphill. It is if the car is considering stalling out, and it is happening more often the more I drive it, so I am sure it will lead to something worse if I do not figure out what the problem is. Any other time it drives fine, it is only when I am in low gears and accelerating, or going uphill at a steady pace. If I let my foot off of the gas it will stop, or if I accelerate more quickly it seems to not happen either. Any help would be appreciated.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

if it's just shaking instead of grinding noise from the engine or transmission, i would think it's the alignment or brake.

Dsryan23

Thanks for the reply, I don't think it is one of those things, I had the brakes replaced recently and probably about 6 months ago a young girl rear ended me so they did the alignment and everything.

It doesn't happen all the time, not when I am driving down the highway or going above maybe 40 miles per hour, it only happens when I am accelerating from rest, and it seems like it is when I get to third gear. It typically happens when I am struggling uphill in low gear or something, it will start shaking/sputtering like it wants to stall out. It will stop doing it if I hit the gas harder or take my foot off completely

MarcoNorthPolo

Dirty injectors?

Dsryan23

Could be... my dad thinks its the spark plugs and my friend thinks its something with the transmission, but none of us are qualified

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

How is the idle?

cazio

iTrader: (3)

torque converter, just remember where u heard it from and thank me later

Dsryan23

It idles just fine, the only time I ever have an issue with it is in either 2nd or 3rd gear, accelerating slowly like up a hill or something - it will start shaking and its getting worse and happening more frequently


what is a torque converter?

lsantana954

I had what's sounds like the same issue what fixed mine was the 3x3 drain n fill but since you say you already had a flush which I believe is not recommended then its prob the torque converter

johnny3

Spark plugs, use the correct # NGK brand.

Dsryan23

The car is also making a grinding noise when I am going down the street slowly, I thought maybe my rotors were making noise but I think I read somewhere that happens when the torque converter is busted

vector1701

Had the same issue, but the check engine light went on. Brought it to a local shop. They cleaned the EGR valve as it was caked with carbon leaving it stuck open. They cleaned the valve and all is back to normal. They have seen this before on Acuras, Hondas, and Toyotas.

Dsryan23

Yeah my check engine light hasn't come on but it is getting worse and I am sure it will soon enough

so to recap, it could be the spark plugs, torque converter, or EGR valve, ugh I wish I could figure out which one

vector1701

My check engine light only went on after stopping it and starting it. I would have it looked at by a trusted shop. Have them look at the cheapest option first (EGR cleaning was $90).

Testsbyseth

When you had the 100k service done what all did the shop replace? (Water Pump, plugs, timing belt, accessory belt, idler pulley, etc.) Also, have you noticed any ticking/cricket noises when you accelerate gently from between 0-20mph?

Dsryan23

No ticking/noises but my car makes a scraping sound when it goes down the road at lower speeds, like when I am leaving the neighborhood

I thought it was probably the rotors/wheels but I don't think I have any problems there, maybe it is coming from the engine

italiancip14

my car is a 04 just hit 80k and it started doing this as well. Get light a slight rumble almost as if the car doesn't know where to shift or not around 20-30mph 3krpm

Dsryan23

did you figure out what the problem is?

italiancip14

no i've left it at acura and they can't give me a reason why. Also it doesn't happen all the time so I'm not even sure if it happened when they had it. . . kinda shitty cuz idk what it is and it could be doing damage to the car

mattymattB

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem but it went away after changing the 3rd and 4th pressure switches and doing a 3x3 drain and refill with redline tranny fluid..i used 1 quart of the lightweight...1 quart racing ATF..and 1 quart of D4..all REDLINE namebrand..car had 140,000 miles..now has 148,000..ALL GOOD

italiancip14

i did the pressure switchs but not redline. may have to try that next

Dsryan23

so many things it could be lol

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

& just to clarify, if you're in Park and accelerate or idle, the shaking does not occur correct?

Dsryan23

i've never tried putting it in park and trying to accelerate to see if it does it, the only time I have ever experienced it is when I am in low gear accelerating, and it especially happens if i am traveling uphill or something at a steady speed in low gear, 2 or 3rd, if it starts shaking and i put my foot on the gas harder or take my foot off the gas completely it will stop, and it used to happen very rarely, now it is happening much more often