Acura11TL

I have a 2011 Acura TL FWD. As I am riding along between 1 and 2 RPM's the needle with jump up and down slightly and the car is making a noise (woooom woooom woooom). Any ideas on what this could be?

Thanks for reading and for any responses

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

is air conditioning off?

Acura11TL

justnspace, thank you for responding. The AC is running when this happens. I haven't tried it without the AC running.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^try it without the A/C running

CerberusKy

iTrader: (1)

If it still does it when the AC is off, start checking all of your vacuum hoses. Often there will be one that leaks, is partially disconnected, or fully disconnected.

Pull the engine covers off and stick your head in there to listen for a whistling noise.

potmilkz

this happens to me sometimes too.. at very low rpm why cruising around my rpm bounces.. with an exhaust you can hear it even more.. only way i can think of to temp solve this is to disconnect the battery and have the car reset.. now it happens once every few months.

Mr Marco

Regular gas or premium?


Be sure and include any possible "other drivers" who may have used your car in this equation.

I had someone use my vehicle once (SHO), they "filled it up" for me. Stalled at every other intersection. I thought, "Hey, thanks alot!"

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I dont think gas is in the equation here.
a slight fluctuation in rpm is pretty normal, especially when accessories like A/C spin off the belt.

NBP04TL4ME

Does it happen at certain speeds (MPH, not RPM)? We has an issue with our MDX and I turned out to be the torque converter. Hopefully that isn't the case for you.

potmilkz

it happens on both.. going around 35 and also on the fwy when i use cruise control..

Acura11TL

Always used '93 octane since I've owned the car (second owner). It happens when cruising between 40-50mph and right between 1 to 2 rpm. No issues on the ride home with the AC on and with it off. It may show up again on my ride into work tomorrow morning. I will keep you all updated.

This and the constant engine shuttering (torque converter?) is frustrating, however I can honestly say this is the best vehicle I have ever owned.

NBP04TL4ME

Ugh- shuttering was a key indicator of the TC issue for us.......

Acura11TL

The same thing occured this morning on my way to work. On level ground over 40mph the RPM needle bounced up and down and the noise continued (the AC was off when this occurred). I may take it in to the dealer to see if they can diagnose the issue.

NBP04TL4ME

A little more detail about our MDX: We would experience the "bouncing" right around 40 MPH, which was right around the point where the transmission would/should need to downshift. Instead it would hold the gear and if speed dropped a little more we would experience the "rattling/juttering." If we keep the speed above 43 or 44 MPH we wouldn't experience it. If we accelerated, it would downshift.
I believe Acura/Honda came out with a software fix which I believe (among other things) changed to shift points on the tranny. However I was always suspect of that "fix."
We traded the MDX (not because of this issue) in so I can't really give you any further updates.

jayare627

I have the same problem in my 2012 AWD. It's an issue in the transmission it's trying to shift out but kicks back in thus giving you the surging RPM. I'm trying to find the time to take mine back in because mine is now getting stuck and shuttering that you can feel through the whole car. Problem is my closest dealer is 1.5 hours away. I'll keep you posted when I finally make it down there!

NBP04TL4ME

Sorry to hear, but like us at least you are under warranty.

NBP04TL4ME

Ugh........https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-2009-2014-123/replaced-torque-converter-09-tlawd-still-feel-judder-876311/
https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-problems-fixes-297/anyone-do-torque-converter-transmission-program-recall-870425/

4GTL

I have a 2012 AWD - Been noticing it for a couple days now. It's especially evident when I'm trying to maintain speed (~40mph), and engine RPM would bounce between ~1200-1700...trying to find some time for a dealership visit. Looks like the issue is beyond 09-11 TLs...

Acura11TL

4GTL, keep us updated with your find after you have visited the dealership. I am curious to know if they have a solution.

4GTL

Just talked to a service adviser at the dealership trying to schedule an appointment, explained to him the symptoms. He claimed it's normal and called it "hunting", then said it's something in the Owner's Manual (alarm bells in my head going off). His solution boiled down to get the transmission fluid replaced (since my car is about 38K miles, but the maintenance minder hasn't asked for it), and while driving, just give it more gas for the car to shift to the gear it's "hunting" for. I hope this isn't a scripted response for this issue that dealers are now giving TL AWD owners if they have this issue...

Acura11TL

4GTL - I have an appointment scheduled for next Wednesday. I will send an update after my appointment.

4GTL

Thanks! I'm heading to a different dealership after work today, or tomorrow morning. Is your TL a 2011 (looking at your user name), if so and you probably already know this, there have been discussions, and recently a Acura TSB on a software reprogramming and possible Torque Converter replacement....

Acura11TL

4GTL - I have a 2011 FWD. I've been told the issue is only with AWD models. I say otherwise. The good thing is I know how to create the problem every time I drive the vehicle. The last time I took my car in I couldn't produce the noise with the technician.

Acura11TL

Update - the service technician test drove my TL and was able to fix the issue. The vehicle needed a software update. I took the vehicle to Leith Acura in Cary NC (they have the nicest staff I've ever been around).

NBP04TL4ME

Congrats!!

Do yourself a favor and keep an eye on two things:

1) Watch for RPM jumping while at higway speed.
2) Watch you gas mileage around town.

I don't know if it is the same software fix we had done on our MDX, but definitely noted that the shift points were moved. For us the transmission would hold fourth gear longer (5 speed tranny) until approx 46 MPH. My proble with this was the RPMs climbed higher and held longer which was chewing up our mileage around town.

Acura11TL

NBP04TL4ME, thanks for your response. The shuddering is still there, just not as often and not as severe. The RPM issue has disappeared. I will keep an eye out on the highway.

4GTL

Glad you got it fixed (at least somewhat). I never made it to the dealership last week because of work - heading there this afternoon. Will post an update once I find out what's going on...

NBP04TL4ME

Best of luck to you. Again after the software fix, my biggest complaint was the dropped city MPG based on the higher RPMs.

tommyjoboy

My 2012 TL is getting a TC right now for this.

NBP04TL4ME

I hate to see all the TCs being replaced on the newer model year cars. I'd like to think Acura/Honda can get this sorted out going forward. I'm a long (25+ year) devotee, but would be gun shy of driving an automatic from them.