Hello hello!

This will be my first post to the forum so bear with me! I just purchased my first Acura, 06 TL Auto, and I am having some issues with it. Ok.. So i purchased the car under the assumption of having to replace the transmission, if there is no hope for the one I have im not worried. But to start things off I started it up and drove it real quick. It shifted nice and fine through all the gears. No weird noises, other than p.s. is low. The radio and navi wasnt working proper either, Ill ask about those later in the post. I gave the lady the cash and away I went. Well on my way home, 10 mile drive, it started to shift from second to third weird and by that I mean it would sometimes drop right into third and others it would free rev for a second and then pop in and go to forth fine also. Well I made it home got out and left it running while i checked the trans fluid. The fluid is black but full, smells burnt etc. I go to pull it into the garage and it wont go into gear. Not forward, reverse, nothing.. I shut it off and instantly turned it back on and it went right in gear that time.. Any ideas? Ive done a little reading and see stuff about shift solenoids and pressure switches.. Help! haha..

Now with the radio and navi.. The battery was dead and the previous owner replaced it just before i got to the car.. the radio wont turn on but the theft light flashes, and it wont display any information. I have the code to unlock it but cant enter it anywhere. the navi also reads "check your disk" I looked at the disk and it appears fine but im unsure... any ideas with those?

Again thank you for any help and bearing with me on this new forum and hurdle..

Zero

 

Was the D light in the dash blinking at all? Your best bet is to try and see if you can pull and codes from the computer to see if you can pinpoint an issue.

With it driving fine with the fluid cold means the issue could be a valve/solenoid sticking once it gets hot or the trans unable to maintain pressure when the fluid is hot.

Undo the battery for a few minutes (15-30 mins) and put it back on. (make sure the car is unlocked via remote the whole time and before you undo the battery). This should reset the electrical system. Try turning on the radio via the volume knob and it should allow you to input the code.

The navi drive might be bad, the inner laser mechanism breaks after a decade of use and it's about $500 now to get the whole dvd drive refurbished by alpine. You can buy a part for $153 from alibaba but it only worked for 3 months for me before breaking.

 

Thank you for the response!

I don't remember if the light was flashing, i doubt it was though. I will have to get my hands on a scanner and see what I can come up with.. I just unhooked the battery and now the waiting game. Know of anywhere to get a cheap navi disk so that I can verify that it isnt the disk?

Zero

 

Honestly, I highly doubt it's the navi disk as many folks are in the same boat looking for a used DVD drive that works!

The codes will certainly help! Have you taken of the trans drain plug and seen if there is a lot of metal on the drain plug?

 

I have not. I will do it tomorrow morning and see whats on the plug. I pulled the stick and like I said its way dark.. like motor oil dark, haha.

Zero

 

If it turns out that I do need to replace the transmission.. Ive been reading on a few other forms to replace the solenoids, not sure what ones, and something about type f atf?

Zero

 

It sounds like your transmission has failed based on other threads I have read around the forum and what symptoms you're explaining. Hope you got a good deal on the car.

However, you can try two things first:

3x3 Transmission fluid drain and refill. Drain the tranny fluid, refill, drive around for a bit to cycle the fluid through the tranny. Drain, refill, repeat two more times. These transmission take about 9 quarts of fluid, but only a little over 3 will drain when you take the plug off. The idea with the 3x3 is you have essentially brand new tranny fluid, as opposed to only 1/3 if you just drain and refill. The recommended fluid varies depending who you ask... I'm thinking of going Redline D4. Amazon carries it and many reviews mention it helping Honda/Acura owners with their tranny problems.

Transmission Pressure switches are the next option. If these start to fail (and they probably have), it has been found they will cause premature wear to the transmission. I just replaced mine and it improved the minor shifting issues I was having. There's still some imperfect shifts, so I plan on doing the 3x3 ASAP. There is a DIY thread you can find by Googling or searching the forums. Lots of information contained in it. People recommend chaning them every 30-50k. I plan on doing mine every 30k.

Chances are your tranny is shot, but if you're willing to put ~$200 in to try and alleviate the issue, I'd say it's worth it. Unless you are rebuilding the tranny yourself, you're looking at a good amount of cash to rebuild it. You mine as well try these two items. Worst case is you are out the fluid, but the switches will still be good and you can rest assured they won't fail anytime soon on the new/rebuilt tranny.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...2006-a-729149/


stick with OEM fluid IMO

 

Trans fluid is to be checked hot with engine off.

 

I'll bet your trans is dead. I went through this around 9 months ago. I have an 04 TL. I ended up going the Honda Accord trans route. Saved over $600 and ended up with a better built trans.
There are several threads on this site that discuss the Accord trans to use. Just make sure you don't get one for a hi-bred.

 

Alright!! So the plug was covered in metal debris.. I have already ordered the new trans and should have it by Monday. I was going to go through and change the valves but ive decided to go the used trans route. Ive located one for 1k and under 100k miles. These things are hard to find and terribly expensive, apparently the 06 is a one off. But I bought the car for 500 and its clean. no rust and runs good. She is loaded with navi, new tires, and brakes.

Zero

 

Hope it's rebuilt with upgraded parts and not just one that was pulled out of a TL with under 100K miles as it will probably fail soon too!

 

Well its just been pulled from a TL. I couldn't afford a 2k transmission and then have it put in. Its from lkq though and has a 6 month 6k warranty. I plan to replace solenoids and keep the fluid flushed though.

Zero

 

Also im still lost on the radio bit.. Ive checked all the fuses and nothing seems to work.. It wont request a code, just has the red anti theft light blinking and no button response.. except for when it had a cd in the drive.. it ejected when i hit the button..

Zero