For my 2005 Acura TL Auto, when I change from park to reverse it takes a few seconds for the gears to engage. I can feel when the gears change. Sometimes it hard shifts into gear, and if I don't wait a few seconds after changing it into reverse, the car slowly moves and RPM goes high till it engages. Is my transmission failing or can this be fixed with bolt on parts such as a transmission solenoid or pressure switches? Thanks for any info.

 

Hows the fluid level and condition? How many miles on the trans and the fluid? The delay is usually caused by low line pressure in the hydraulics of the trans vs a solenoid sticking or being worn.

Sonnax makes a few rebuild kits to correct issues like this but they require a full rebuild vs "bolt on" parts like you mention. https://www.sonnax.com/units/478-honda-acura-5-speed

Replacing pressure switches may help improve shift quality. Also, have you ever changed the transmission fluid filter?

 

My original transmission kicked the dirt and I put in a reman transmission bought from AutoZone. It is now 4 years old with approx 10k miles on it. It looks like it's a reman transmission from an accord, unlike the original transmission it doesnt have the area where the transmission filter was or where you fill the tranny fluid. The warranty expired last year. I need to have the transmission removed and rebuilt? Could this issue possibly fix it self on its own?

 

It takes 2-3 seconds to engage in reverse, it doesn't do it immediately. You can feel when the transmission gets into gear.

Most importantly is the transmission going to kick the dirt, or will the delay in gear engagement be the only problem? It only does it when putting it in reverse.

 

2-3 seconds can be "normal" for older transmissions but yours is rebuilt with only 10k miles. I would say drive it until you can't drive it anymore!

 

Now it's starting to hard shift when starting to drive from a stop (1st gear). It does not do it every time, but once in a while. It also did it once when driving last week (don't know which gear). Is the end coming near?

 

Check the fluid level and we can go from there. What color is the fluid?

 

Fluid level is at max on dipstick indicator, and it's red.

 

I was going to ask if you were still within the 3 year warranty; however, it appears you are well beyond that now in June 2025, unfortunately.

 

The page linked in the post above from autozone says BDGA trans code which is the TL and not BAYA like accord.

 

Behind the driver side front wheel there was a gear switch, I forget what it is called, I replaced it with an aftermarket one a while ago, could that be the culprit?

 

Unless it's out of adjustment it shouldn't cause any issues. I'm assuming this is the range switch (controls park, reverse, neutral and drive)