I have this issue where when starting from a stop, there are surges in power, and the tach is indicating a "pause" when it is doing it.

I have had the transmission fluid flush and SW update done, thoughts?

The car has around 45k miles on it.

 

 

 

 

I have the same exact problem. I am overdue for my 105K service, so I am going to change the timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, etc. and see if that helps first.

 

The TQ converter can do this when the fluid is worn and upon light acceleration. How many miles since the transmission fluid change? Ever change the trans filter? Mine was doing it bad leaving my house on the way to work on light acceleration and a 3x3 ATF change helped it A LOT.

 

20k ago on the filter and flush, and I mentioned a problem about 5k ago when it was in to the dealer for service.

Also of note, my 2015 MDX is doing it too, so I am suspecting it is a gas quality issue. We buy from the local Giant Bird gas station chain, which hasn't been a problem before.

Would this be indicative of a timing retard due to octane?

 

 

Interesting...perhaps the delivery driver put the wrong octane in the premium tank this last time. Never had an issue in the two years we have been buying fuel from this station. Thanks for the heads up.

 

 

Thanks for the tip Georgiey22, I filled up yesterday and the problem seems to be subsiding, but I am noticing issues with the shifts, unfortunately, I can't get it to consistently do it, so the dealership won't do anything about it.

 

 

100% unrelated but how the hell are you getting 32MPG on your TL? I have the 2012 FWD and I can hardly get 24-25 average... sigh. Is this just for the ~30 miles you drove or is that a normal MPG you get?

 

 

My surging continues, suspecting it is the transmission.

Just took my 2015 MDX in with the same issue, it has the same transmission, and has about 5k more miles than my 2014 TL. Service Tech said that the 6 speed transmissions need a flush and refill around every 30k, depending on driving habits. I have a service scheduled for early next month, now that my B1 has come up on my MIL. Luckily, still covered under the powertrain warranty.

 

I thought we were never supposed to flush these trans... ??? I'm doing a 3x3 in a week or two, along with the trans-filter change. Also noticing the gurgling sound specially now that it's cold...

 

Maybe that's what the tech meant by "flush". He may have even meant just a drain and refill.

I've heard that some dealers have a machine that can flush the transmission by hooking lines to the ATF filter inlet and outlet, thereby eliminating the possibility of air entering the transmission (which is the reason the traditional flush can kill a Honda transmission). However, I don't think it's common practice. I've considered trying some sort of system whereby I put the inlet tube into a large container of ATF while the outlet tube drains into an oil pan. Then start the car up, put it in gear, and let it cycle through the new ATF. But I already do a drain/refill about once every 10K miles which I think is enough.

But yeah, new fluid can really make a difference in some of these transmissions. I've never really noticed since I immediately did a 3x3 flush when I bought the car, and tried to keep it pretty sparkly clean since then. I've heard of many guys experience much better transmission performance after even just one flush and refill. Let alone doing a 3x3 which replaces approximately 75% of the fluid if you drain 3.5qts. out per drain/refill cycle.

I swear, you could put vegetable oil in a Honda engine and it would be fine but if you so much as sneeze at their automatic transmissions they spontaneously combust.

 

HA! Yeah, it looks like they sure are picky. I haven't done a trans change in maybe 30k, I never figured it was part of a normal 10k interval. but it's pretty cheap if you buy the 12pk on amazon (like less than 70 bucks). And that should last for around 3 changes if you do a 3x1 every 10-15k miles. Not a bad idea...

 

Took the car in to the dealership today. They did the more recent TSB Transmission Software update with flush and fill. No issues on the drive home.

To clarify the issue, after having to live with it for a couple of months, the transmission/torque converter wouldn't lock completely in second and third gear between about 1500 rpm and 4000, resulting in a surging feeling while moderately accelerating. Felt like I was slipping the clutch if it were a manual.

 

 

Paperwork states they did the 18-047 SW Update with fluid flush, was covered under warranty. Car has just under 50k miles on it.

TSB 18-047 - 2012-14 TL: Judder from the Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch (Snapshot Upload Required)
Applies To: 2012 TL - 2WD - From VIN 19UUA8F...CA035307 thru 19UUA8F...CA040693
2012 TL - 4WD - From VIN 19UUA9F...CA011186 thru 19UUA9F...CA012783
2013-14 TL - ALL - ALL
http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/B18-047.PDF
http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/p...nu/B18-047.PDF

Kinuto, does your car fall within the VIN range for the TSB's?

 

 

If it is doing it consistently, they hook it to the computer, and see if it is having trouble locking up. They send the data to Honda, then determine what to do next. Good luck!