Hello all,

I started noticing some issues with my 2012 TL AWD. First, the clutch pedal began popping and squeaking, usually when cold (but doesnt go away) and sometimes just never at all. There is a TSB about a failed clutch master cylinder, but my VIN is not included. Then, 2nd gear started to become very difficult to engage after the car has warmed up and driving around for a bit, and I have heard/felt it grind twice that I've put it in 2nd. 1st to 2nd is okay, but 3rd to 2nd becomes nearly impossible. The shifter is not as smooth as when I first bought the car used. Instead of feeling smooth, the shifter feels like its forcing itself through a wall.

At first, I thought it was just due to the clutch master cylinder, but I took it into the dealership and they suggested to replace the entire transmission unit and quoted me an exorbitant price on that fix.

Has anyone else run into a similar problem with their TL? And should I possibly try getting a 2nd opinion from elswhere?

 

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...4dUDCAs&uact=5


try replacing the fluid with some GM Synchromesh Friction Modified, might help per above threads

 

Thank you for that lead, but it doesn’t seem like anyone on the 4g TL side has done this fluid change. I may just try it. Some transmission fluid change would be pennies compared to a new transmission.

But as an update, the technician that inspected my vehicle stated that “the transmission definitely needs to be replaced because something inside the gearbox is definitely broken”. I’ve owned the car for a half-year/6k miles, and I do remember that I have been having trouble engaging 2nd gear from time to time when I first picked up the vehicle, but now it is constant, and is not something that I could have done since I took ownership.

 

How difficult is it to shift gears when the engine is off?

 

Engine on and moving, I am either not able to engage 2nd gear at all or 2nd gear is very notchy and only able to “notch” it into gear at medium or higher loads from 1-2. Low load 1-2 gives me issues. High load 3-2 downshift gives me issues, but not low load.

Engine on and not moving, no real problems into 2nd but still notchy.

Engine off, just a little smoother (less effort) but still just as notchy as above.

At this point, I’d like to say that engaging 1st is very similar to 2nd, more effort, less smooth, and very notchy compared to the other gears. The only problem I’ve had with 1st is thinking that the shifter is in all the way, but needed an additional push. Additionally, the clutch pedal feels more numb than from what I remember. It is almost effortless to depress the clutch, and I only have a bare sensation of when the clutch begins to bite. I did do a clutch replacement near the beginning of my ownership as I thought that was the culprit, but only alleviated the issue slightly. Replacing the clutch killed a lot of feel that I initially had from the original clutch, but built up some resistance over use/time (has not returned to how it originally felt). And it seems like now that the small built up resistance has given way almost completely.

 

I'm going to call either clutch or clutch linkage/hydraulics.

 

The dead feeling of the clutch pedal only happens when the clutch pedal pops and squeaks. When it doesn't make noise, I have decent feel through the pedal.

I don't think the issue is caused by the clutch as I did have 2nd gear engagement issues before I replaced it. New clutch only alleviated the issue slightly and temporarily.

 

do the fluid and report back

 

Will do that this weekend. But what does it mean if I can't engage 2nd with the engine off? Started running into that last night. It worked for a little after trying double clutching, but now won't seem to budge at all.

 

So the transmission gods are not fully satisfied by my offering of the ACDelco SMFM fluid. I've been driving around this week and hoping that the fluid works itself into the gears. 2nd gear is rarely shiftable but when it does finally shift into 2nd, it will be fine for a bit before giving me issues again. The few situations that I noticed in which I am able to get into 2nd are when I'm going about 5-8 mph from 1st to 2nd, and 2000-2500 rpm 3rd-2nd downshift. 2nd will seem to 're-lock' if I give 1st gear some pep. And when it does go into 2nd there's usually a very audible clunkiness that I don't really get from the other gears except 1st.

Also, when the 2nd gear gate is 'locked', I can feel a slight vibration coming from the shifter when I try to shift into 2nd, which to me seems that the synchros are not matching/meshing to allow the shifter go into gear.

It looks like I may have to go the inevitable route of having the transmission dropped and inspected, unless it is a clutch cylinder like I initially suspected, or a combination of both (to get rid of the clicking/squeaky clutch pedal).

 

Sounds like an issue with a shift fork binding or the shifter cables binding. Buy some of the shifter cable bushings and check the shifter fork. It's takes a bit of strength to bend a shifter fork but it's possible.

 

Thanks for the advice. While I probably wont be going to the dealer, I'll ask a shop to check that out before running me up an excessive bill.

 

@4gBWP Any updates 3 yrs later?

 

So I changed out the transmission fluid to the AC Delco Syncromesh stuff that's been raved about everywhere on the TL forums. There was still difficulty getting 2nd in, but I just yanked it in with a lot of force about a few days later and it went in 2nd every time after that. I think the cable was getting caught on something that I somehow freed up by yanking it. I wouldn't recommend this to everybody, do at your own risk.

And just to add, I got into a wreck with my manual SHAWD a few weeks ago, totaled. Still feeling sad about it.

 

RIP. What'd you replace it with?

 

That's a real shame. I hope you're ok

 

Well, I didn't really have a lot of money left over from insurance and lien, which is really unfortunate considering the market right now. I luckily had a friend selling a 2011 Honda Insight with 92k miles on it that I bought, compared to my 89k mile TL at time of accident, I had SS brake lines, new pads, cryo rotors, new clutch sigh, poor thing. I'm gonna try to see where it's been auctioned off to for anyone on here that wants to try to salvage the transmission. There was no damage to the rest of the vehicle except for the rear-trunk area which crushed the frame back there. Total loss.

Anyway, quite a downgrade, though getting 42 mpg average in the Insight feels good over the 16 mpg in the manual TL lol. And it feels almost the same as my 2015 Fit, which I had before the TL. Either way, I'm in grad school now so I can hold off on having a "nice" car until I graduate at the end of this year.

I'm fine! Appreciate the concern.