Was curious what the results were, if any?

 

Fixed the "low growl" caused by the issue with the car lugging when trying to decide which gear to be in at low RPMs.

Search on the item in quotes above for an extensive thread.

 

i called my dealership and gave them my vin, they said they already preformed it when i picked up my CPO in april/May. i got the letter recently thou.

 

^^^^^

So the factory and the dealerships are already aware of this issue dated back 4 months ago !? ..... and they are not telling us as 2012 TL owners !?

 

not sure if its happening in the 2012 TLs... couldve been a kink they worked out. i read about it on DPKNY's thread about the TC recall, so i called up the dealership.

Call em up and ask

 

Just had mine done, went in for the software upgrade unfortunately that did not fix it. I will be needing a new torque converter .

 

It's not for the '12 and up TLs, the recall is specifically for the 09-11 models.

 

I cannot and never heard the low growl, because at low RPM (particularly at low speeds) all I can hear is exhaust, so whether or not the sotfware update did anything is a mystery to me. How did they know you need a new torque converter, the growl never stopped even after the update?

 

I heard the sound especially in the am. In this instance after I had the software update done. I cruised to about 30 mph, and let off on the gas, then gave the gas a bit of throttle and lo and behold the growl, and the vibration was heard. I immediately drove back and had a tech drive with me. He was unable to duplicate the problem, when he was driving the car, he seemed to just gas it to hear the issue, but I asked to drive it and once I did, he heard enough, and said you need a torque converter.

 

its only for 09-11...i had mine done last week...HUGE difference. dont know how Acura could take this long to fix the issue. if it applies to your car, do it ASAP.

 

Our 2010 Acura RL had this low pitch growl as it climbed a hill. We had Acura check it out and they found no issues. The growl got worse over time and after taking it back to Acura about 9 months ago (car had under 25K miles on it at the time) and after 2 days of research and consultation it was determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. There had been no recalls or even issues noted (according to Acura) on the torque converter. They replaced it with no money out of my pocket and the performance was substantially better. We didn't know what we were missing in performance which probably degraded over time. I was suprised to see the recent recall letter. Nice to know we have under 105k.

 

Is this recall affecting the entire model year(s) run or just a certain number of VIN's? This is the first I've heard about it as I've not received any notification from Acura. BTW, my 2010/Tech seems to have no tranny issues.

 

Oswald - by your posts you seem to have the FWD TL, this update is for AWD only.

 

Bringing my car to Acura of New Brunswick hopefully they fix it they said there's an update on the torque converter hopefully this fixes the issue

 

Just called the dealership....and my cars needs the update...you guys think ill feel a diffences cause i dont really feel like theirs any problem with my car....

 

^^^^Cars??? WhAT? RDX also needs an TC PCM Update for Lock-Up Clutch Function??? That is the first I've heard of that.
As per letter from Torrance, CA...the TL goes in this week.

 

Hmmm, mine does that.

 

LASTTIL935,
I also sent you a private message. I have the same problem you describe. Had the software update past weekend but the car still has the vibration and exhaust growl when the converter locks at 1500 rpm no matter what speed I drive. Did the converter replacement on your car took care of the vibration and growl?

Many thanks.

 

MDs1 - I looked at the documentation at the dealer when they serviced my TL and it indicated that the software might not fix the issue if it is already occurring, and that a torque converter replacement was prescribed for that event. It sounded like the update was more preventive in nature and may not solve the problem if the car already exhibits the problem.

 

Thanks Ionized. I have been trying to isolate the problem so that I can have the technician duplicate or drive with him and let him hear the sound. Looks like it is the converter going bad.

Best.

 

I had the software update performed this week. It actually seems to help. We'll see what the future brings.

 

Would this be for 2010 SH-AWD 6speed manuals as well?

 

Manual transmissions have clutches, not torque converters.

 

only automatic transmissions have a torque converter

I had the update done

- don't notice any difference

- didn't notice the issue it is supposed to fix either

 

That stinks. I brought it in for the growl last year and was told it was normal. It kept getting worse. Got the letter last week and brought it in for the update today, they told me my mileage was too low for the torque converter to have been damaged (~49,000). On the way home the growl was much softer, but it is still there. I guess I need to bring it back again. It stinks living an hour from the dealer.

 

Wait for 2-3 drive cycles for the computer to learn. Apparently on mine and on day #4 after the update its impossible to re-create the problem. The more it grinds the more it learns not to grind the next time you drive it. A drive cycle is between start-stop engine and let it cool down for a bit. It may still happen at below 25m/h or 40km/h if you are still in 4th gear but it will eventually learn to drop to 3rd so that it won't grind. It does hesitate a bit at these low speeds trying to figure out if it wants to drop to 3rd or stay in 4th. These are my experiences over the past 4 days and about 8 drive cycles. I'll check again tomorrow if there is any improvement at these low speeds. After a few days even if you take it to the dealer to re-create the problem it will be pretty hard to do so. I have observed also that it is most likely to grind again at below 40km/h if you drive over 20-30 minutes. But again, unless you try to force the transmission to stay in 4th at these low speeds by coasting and slowing down, it won't happen.

 

Thanks for the clarification not to keen on the mechanics as far as auto/manual go at that level hehe but eh learn somethin new every day!

 

That's BS. Whoever told you that is full of it. They did mine at 33k miles. It was def the TC and it fixed the issues

 

I would take it to another dealer mine had 38,798 miles on it and they replaced the TC.

 

Just had the update on my 2010 SH-AWD last week Monday and it seams to have made a difference. I use to be able to get it to vibrate a little if I would slow down and then try to speed up gradually. It felt like it was struggling to take off in too high of gear. Now it feels like it shifts to a lower gear right away. Sometime the engine revs a little in the process but it does feel smoother.

I have only been able to get my car to do the growl thing a couple times since the update and not at all lately. I defiantly feel like it is an improvement.

MGG

 

Had my converter changed a while ago, went in for the software update.

Definitely noticed an immediate difference in pick up as well as shifting.

I was very concerned because even though I had the converter changed, I still heard some of the growl. With the software update, I can't get the car to make the noise.

Finally something to put the TL owners at a bit of ease!

 

I'm confused... is this just a software change or do they actually replace the TC or replace part of the transmssion?

I just bought my car CPO a couple weeks ago... wonder if the dealership did this before they sold it? I have all the paperwork but nothing in the CPO paperwork specifically adresses any recalls they did or did not do.

What shoudl I be noticing IF my car has this problem?

thanks guys.

 

Just got my notice in the mail over the weekend.

 

The recall is a software update to change the behavior that causes the TC to fail.

In the event that the TC is already exhibiting the behavior that indicates failure, the dealer will replace the TC.

 

Here is the Actual Service Bulletin and what will occur/felt
and yes this is only for 09-11 Tl- SH-AWD vehicles
BACKGROUND
Product Update: PCM Update for Lock-Up Clutch
Function

A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may
be felt while driving between 20–45 mph. To minimize
the opportunity for the judder to occur, a software
update for the transmission is available.

Warranty Extension: Torque Converter

If the judder returns after the transmission software is
updated, the torque converter may need to be
replaced. To increase customer confidence, American
Honda is extending the warranty on the torque
converter in affected vehicles to 8 years from the
original date of purchase or 105,000 miles, whichever
comes first.
The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle
that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for
salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a

branded or similar title under any state’s law.


If the customer complains of this we test drive them and verify if there is a judder or not. perf the update and test again. I can usually duplicate this between 35-40 mph under very light cruise. I havent came across a TL with this issue yet, but when i worked for Honda I had a hand full of Odyssey's with judders and Torque converter issues.

 

Do we know if the same Service Bulletin has been issued from Acura Canada?

 

This^
Worth the trip to the dealer, even if you plan on selling the car soon. Feels quicker from the seat of my pants. Of course that could be related to the POS ILX loaner I was driving too.

 

Just had torque converter replaced by dealer. I do not hear or feel the juddering any longer.

 

had software update done for tc 2 wks ag.Now seems likevibration is coming back.

 

+1, after driving for two days the car felt a lot more responsive, not sure if it's in my head...