Graybeard

Occasionally (usually when first start driving car and immediately after warm up), the green light indicating shifter position will flicker and go out and the transmission will shift down into 3rd (I think). A shift into neutral and then back into drive solves the problem until the next time it occurs. Can someone give me some insight as to what is causing this glitch?

Graybeard

Sorry folks, I didn't give information about the vehicle. Base 2004 TL with 118K miles. Transmission has been serviced twice in 10K miles. Thanks for any assistance.

HondaTech85

You might want to take it to the dealer and have the engine/transmission checked for codes or DTC's sounds like your trans it trying to tell you something...

alexb92

I have the same problem... So relieved to know someone else is experiencing the same problem! https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/drive-light-flickers-turns-off-868959/

The computer isn't storing a code since it isn't technically "blinking".

Can ANYONE shed any light to this?

Graybeard

Alex, looks like we are on our own. Guess the next stop is the dealer but I like to know what is wrong before I go there. I too, have checked the ECU for error codes and found none. If you find out something, please let me know. You may send me email at Graybeard43@gmail.com.

Thanks

alexb92

I've tried to reproduce this issue but it seems completely random. I have a third party warranty till next year, but I won't be able to prove the problem, and since there's also no codes to read, and this issue seems to be extremely isolated, I'm pretty sure my dealership will think I'm crazy. We need to find some help on this matter... I love my car and I wish this problem could be fixed!

Acura-OC

Owners manual Page 259. The "D" indicator flashes while driving (in any shift position), indicates a possible problem in the transmission.

Acura's way of saying "we do not know what it is".

alexb92

It doesn't flash. It flickers. I know what it looks when it flashes because when I was redoing my 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches I forgot to clip everything back up, and it flashed.

alexb92

Update... I found a way to reproduce it, at least some times. I noticed the light flickers or goes off either during or after a speedbump, railroad track, or just rough roads. It will either flicker accordingly with the bumps or just go out afterwards. This leads me to believe that it is either a bad ground, bad connection, or something else of the sort. I have no clue as to where to start. I did change the 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches earlier this year so I doubt that's the problem. I've been thinking it might have something to do with the SportShift sensors in the shifter as it looks like the previous owner may have spilled a drink into the shifter area? Please, if anyone can help us out, it'd be highly appreciated... thanks.

pohljm

triple check and clean all your connections and then clean out the shifter controls with some electrical contact cleaner and then see if you can reproduce it.

alexb92

Is there any way of opening up the shifter? I know how to get the wood trim area off but that's as far as I can comfortably get.

Graybeard

I have found the problem on my car. The neutral safety switch was failing. Replaced the switch and all is well. Up side is that it was a relatively inexpensive fix and I have very clean transmission fluid.

alexb92

How did you find out this was the problem? Could you provide the details on the fix?

alexb92

Happened again today for the first time in two months during stop and go traffic, randomly. I ordered the part. ~$58, ~$69 after shipping and tax. I don't feel comfortable with the replacement... I'll probably end up taking it to the dealer.

Graybeard

I knew the neutral safety switch was occasionally failing. So, I put two and two together and took a chance. Seems to have cured the problem. Dealer didn't do the installation. I have a shop that I trust more than about any dealer. I think the total cost was just over $100 but don't remember for sure.