I'm hoping that someone can provide an opinion or share their experience in determining if this is something I need to worry about or not.

This past weekend, I was making a left turn from a standstill. The car in front of me was very slow and pulled into the left lane of 2 lanes, which was very aggravating. So I pulled into the right lane and tried to kick down a gear to accelerate past this slow poke who doesn't understand basic driving etiquette.

This is when it happened. Since I have an automatic fwd, I believe at this point the car was in 2nd gear as it normally starts out in that gear, if I'm not mistaken. I was not in Sport mode. I'm guessing the car tried to kick down to 1st gear and emitted a horrible gear grinding noise. It was the same kind of sound as when a novice driver is trying to shift gears in a manual car and hasn't depressed the clutch enough or timed it wrong.

First I was very surprised to hear that sort of noise as I've never heard an automatic making that kind of sound. Then I was worried that something catastrophic had happened to the transmission and that the car would stop in the middle of the road. I also thought, did I do something wrong by trying to accelerate in such a manner?

Fortunately, nothing happened. What I mean by that is that as soon as I lifted off the gas pedal, the car resumed happily in the current gear, again I'm guessing 2nd gear. In fact, as it build up speed slowly, it shifted into the higher gears without any issues. Since then it has not happened again. But then since then I've been too afraid to accelerate in any manner that would approach aggressive.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Should I be worried? If I wanted to ask the dealer to check this out, what would I even tell them? Appreciate any feedback.

Car is a 2012 Base Fwd Tech with 23k miles, CPO 3 months. Thanks

 

Mine did the exact same thing!!

I also find that my transmission doesnt shift all that great. It isnt all that smooth. I think a sensor or something is gone... Also the rev match feature on my trans in sport mode does not work well. Try yours? Try the double downshift as well with paddles and see what it does.

I plan on brining my car into the dealer as I suspect something has gone amuck with the trans or a trans sensor.

Please let me know if you ever resolve the problem and I will do the same.

Thanks!

 

Strosek - thanks for posting. I agree car doesn't shift very smoothly. Maybe my car is a lemon. That an the constant vibration at idle really takes away from the driving experience. Of course dealer can't find anything.

 

Sounds kind of similar to when my torque converter had issues. It was like the transmission was stuck between 1st and 2nd. It would grind and vibrate before the RPMs jumped up and it got into gear. I'm not sure if the 2012's an up have that issue, but it's a known problem with mine.

 

I think I found the problem!!! No joke!! It's transmission ecu related! Disconnect your battery overnight and then reconnect in the morning and test drive. Mine drives like I just put a new tranny in it!! Simply amazing!!!! Just so you know the trans in this car should be smooth as butter when working as it should.

Oh and make sure you have your radio code on hand as you're going to need it.

Please get back to me with your results. I plan on bringing my car in for repair now that I know the problem.

Thanks

 

When you disconnect the battery, I think the transmission goes into a learn mode. It seems to shift better for a while, but then goes back to its bad habits. I've had that experience already.

 

Whatever happens its a problem... all of the trans features stop working over time. rev match on paddle downshift, gear holding and what causes the rough shifting is the torque converter lockup and unlock not happening at the right time.
All I'm saying is that if the trans can function perfectly after a battery reset that tells me it's logic related and not mechanical.
Good news in my opinion.

 

hey mine is grinding but at random times.. normaly. In 5th it's 03 Acura TL type s it's automatic an have the 5 speed shifter... it stared bout 4 days ago an has done it bout 3 times I'mma try this it can't hurt right???