Hi all, I know there are quite a number of similar posts with symptoms as described in the title but with different various DTC codes, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to throw out my specific scenario.

06 A/T with about 167,xxx on the odometer. Car had been running fine and the wife was driving it home from work when she said it felt like it had no power. Stated all of the Guage lights listed above were on. She pulled it over, turned it off and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Started it back up and only the CEL was still on and was able to drive it home while feeling normal power.

Pulled the DTC and it is showing both P0974 and P0980 for "shift solenoids A and C circuit high". I replaced both solenoids, cleared codes but unfortunately nothing changed with the car's behavior. All warning lights are still on, blinking D, and trans in limp mode. Didn't really see any frayed wiring either from what I could tell. Drained and filled trans fluid for good measure also.

I took it to a local shop and their diagnosis was basically the trans needs to be rebuilt.

Before I explore that line of thinking I wanted to ask if anyone had any other ideas of what to check and possibly test that could possibly be a contributing factor to the behavior described? I'm admittedly lacking on how to test some of the electrical components but any suggestions, help or guidance is greatly appreciated!

 

I'm having this same problem. It goes away after stopping car, taking key out. And starting again. Can't figure it out.

 

Did you replace the 2 on top - under the throttle body or the ones on the front of the transmission toward the engine side ?

 

The two I replaced were on the front of the transmission, towards the engine side. I took the starter out for easier access to do so. The diagram describing those as the shift A and C solenoids I had found on these forums in a previous similar posting.

 

the HELM book says both of those codes are NOT related to an internal transmission problem. See the #2 comment.
So replacing the transmission is not recommended by HELM. see pic.
But it could be an external solenoid, like the ones you replaced. I read through the troubleshooting procedure, you need a HDS tester to test the solenoids, but as you said, you already replaced them. But an HDS may still be needed. You have to read the procedure to find out. It did mention replacing the ECM under certain conditions.

 

 

Sometimes the issue is not the wires but the connectors esp if any moisture gets inside. If there is any corrosion buildup on either side of the connector (male end of cable, and female end of module) it can bridge pins and cause problems. Pine hollow diagnostics on youtube has countless videos showing the issue that corrosion can cause! It's always best to check the entire circuit to see where the problem may be.

 

Use parts from OEMacuraparts.com only! Cheers

 

I know it's been a while but this car became a secondary vehicle in between originally posting. Been trying to troubleshoot it as time allows before biting the bullet and trying to take it somewhere again.

Those Helm repair screenshots were incredibly helpful and eventually lead to finding broken ground wires going to the G151 ground point. Cleared codes and tried driving it for a bit but unfortunately no change.

Also along the way somehow the car is also now throwing error codes of P0962 and P0966. Does anyone know if these codes are also more indicative of an electrical issue vs a mechanical issue with the trans? Most web searching provides about 10 possibilities of a cause, only the Helms info above for the original codes completely stated those were electrical in nature.

As always, any further help is appreciated!

 

your answer is in post #5

 

Ahh, whoops, sure is. Thanks.

Would it be too much to ask if it would be possible to get a couple of screenshots for those codes, similar to post #6 and the original shift solenoid codes? Gave a great starting point for tracking things down.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

Just as a final info on this thread, after probably a lot of wasted time kind of trying to rig existing wiring and fixing broken grounds, I tracked down the proper replacement wire harness that was the source of all of these CEL codes and blinking D light. Part #28960-RKE-000 replaced and things seem like they may finally be happy. $35 well spent lol.

Appreciate the responses and help with this as it led me down the correct path to finally fix this and thankfully not follow a few of the original shop "diagnoses" of the trans was shot.

 

Tlowner2006, would you mind sharing a photo showing where that wire harness (part #28960-RKE-000) is located?

 

So unfortunately I don't have a pic that would be perfect but this Pic is of the 6 pin connector that part number connects with.

On the right side of the Pic is behind the driver front wheel. To access this harness all I had to do is take the front driver wheel off, pop open the clips that hold the splash guard in place and pull it out of the way.

I was able to replace by taking the wheel off as mentioned above. Not needed to replace, but to access the clip portion (while troubleshooting etc.) I had to take the battery and it's "shelf" out which is kind of a pain.

 

The parts diagram below may help with its location?

 

@Tlowner2006 You are my hero!!! Thank you for providing the part number for the wire harness. That was all I needed to remedy my problem. Car had been in limp mode and check engine light codes P0974 and P0980 wouldn't clear. After replacing the wire harness you mentioned, the electrical problem that caused the false positive CEL codes was resolved! I had independently tested the shift solenoids (both A and C) with my multi-meter and they were in spec (i.e. between 12-25 ohms). Thanks to @Chad05TL for the HELM pictures because I was able to rule out faulty shift solenoids based on your information. When I removed the old wire harness, I noticed that the ground wires had become brittle and rusted through. I can't tell you guys how thankful I am because before finding this post on the forum, my local mechanic told me my transmission was shot and I needed to drop $5,000 - 6,000 to fix my problem. It is such a rewarding feeling to fix this issue for ~$40! Thanks again to everyone!

 

awesome.
So is that harness on the backside of the transmission? I can't really tell. I'm wondering if maybe it should be a preventative maintenance item

 

@WeekendWarrior That is awesome to hear! Your experience sounds exactly like what I initially went through where shops were saying the trans was shot. After getting a different primary vehicle and buying myself some time, I was determined to fix the TL knowing the knowledge that @Chad05TL shared way back when that those codes are an electrical issue.

​​​​​@Chad05TL This harness is more towards the front of the trans, pretty much inline with the shift solenoids A and C. Basically right underneath the battery and the metal shelf it sits on.

As additional info, I had kind of rigged that harness and got the two shift solenoid codes to clear but the D light kept blinking. Taking it to Autozone and having them run a code scan provided a sub code (that my code reader didn't show) which was the transmission temp sensor high input....which also runs through that harness. That led me to stop screwing around trying to rig the old one and call a local acura dealer who tracked down the proper part replacement.

 

Hello Gear heads... I bout an absolute minty CLS 2002 after the original owner gave up on local shop after installing two used transmissions for her, same fault after each swap. So, I stuck a transmission from an 03 TL in it, and the D and 1 light are on, after it warms up no drive and while warming up, it "the trans" growls loudly.... I was thinking maybe a neutral switch?!

 

Hi, I'm having code 0974 on my 08 Tl, replaced the solenoids and oil pressure switches and I'm still having the same issue. When the car is not on limp mode the trans shifts properly. On a shop they say it needs a new trans after they try changing the ecm too. I would like to change the wire harness as a last bid before doing trans. Do you know the 08 acura tl base model part no. for the wire harness?

 

If you are referring to the solenoid wire harness it is #12 on the link below?
AT Sensor - Solenoid - 2008 Acura TL 4 Door BASE KA 5AT (acurapartswarehouse.com)

 

Thanks for the info. Do I need to take the transmission out to replace that wiring?

 

Good Question.
Looking at the OEM parts diagram below & the picture provided by the online vendor, one would think that the #12 assembly would fit inside the 'hole' where the straight line leads to, especially because there is a #22 O-ring involved.

However, if you look at the Helms service manual diagrams below, one could easily think it is located outside the transmission case?
Best way to quickly verify for yourself is to use the physical orientation of the part on the trans. case, in diagram above, and find where it is on your car?
Maybe someone who knows for sure will chime in.

 

I really appreciate your time to clarify it. I'm gonna look on my car and see if Its visible. If so I'll probably replace it before going with the whole transmission. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

 

where do you get these book

 

Out of stock

https://www.helminc.com/helm/Result....ected%5Fmedia=

 

Got it

 

I kinda need some help myself, just got all of this from my transmission. It’s limp mode, flashing D light, check engine on, loses power while accelerating and then kinda jumps on acceleration again. A lot of vibration and hard idle, it’s parked right now. It’s a 08 Tl type S, mechanic says trans is toast, but idk. I ain’t no expert but I was think neutral safety switch replacement, 3rd and 4th pressure switch, replace solenoid, and flush the trans, but again I ain’t no expert. any help

 

Well... I'm not an expert either.. But with only a few minutes of googling.. I would replace that range switch first and clear the codes and retest..
I assume what you call the neutral safety switch and the range switch is the same thing.
I do not have my books with me. Out of town now.
This is not a TL but a Honda V6. maybe the TL is similar?