gvillecat

I have a 2003 Acura TL Type S (5 speed tranny). My tranny started acting funny, would down shift and on a cold morning, it would take a few seconds to engage. I changed the transmission fluid (3 x 3) and my tranny seemed fine, no issues. Then about 4 weeks later, it started acting up (very suddenly) ... and now it won't do anything in any gear.
I have the following codes P0720, P0730, P0740.

Should I just plan on purchasing a rebuilt tranny or are their filters/ solenoid worth checking first or replacing.
The tranny wasn't slipping or anything (it was a sudden issue).

Would you mess around with replacing pressure switch / solenoids -OR- should I just bend over and replace the tranny (240,000 miles ... not sure if it's the original tranny or not, purchaed the car used with 90K on it).
Thanks in advance for your

Nicks2001tl

Welcome gvillecat.


The codes p0740 p0730 p0720 all together typically mean that your tranny is done. Save your money and put it towards a new transmission.


Getting the miles you already got on last transmission is pretty impressive. Go out and get a few quotes and sort out your best options.

Levithan9

NNAAWWW NAWWWW NAW NAW....HEY HEY HEY....GOODBYE!!

AS they say in baseball....."it's outta here !!"

If you did the 3x3, and it cleaned it up for a bit, then all those codes comeback, your trans is gone.

Sell it for parts, or save up for the 06-07 trans swap.

The ball is now squarely in your court.

gvillecat

Thank you for confirming what I was thinking.
Yep, I can't complain. I bought the car with 80K and now have 240K .... outside of the standard timing belt job (kit w/ new water pump), the biggest repair that I experienced was replacing the front wheel bearings, which I did myself, so again I really can't complain. Now I need to decide if I want to fix it $$$ or sell it for parts.

3.2TLc

Hey Gvillecat, it appears as though your TL has given ya good service.

You're probably at a turning point as to what to do next. But, if ya like the car and everything else is mechanically solid......then consider replacing the old worn out tranny with a newer designed '06>'07 Accord V-6 tranny as a direct replacement.

The "AV6" donor tranny can be purchased used from an auto recycler for less than $1000. Figure on about $500 for installation and then the TL will be good for several more years. The car won't bring much as is with a bad tranny, less than $1000.

TLZINE99

Hello im new member and got the same code P0740 these trans are really POS

Skirmich

^ What did you expect? there is 12yrs of knowledge and people who buy these cars are very well aware of these problems..




Good thing that right now is you decisive point!

Install an Accord V6 transmission and have one of the most reliable cars on the planet.
or
Just go sad panda and sell it for parts which is quite a shame because other than the transmission these cars are solid built.

octoher12

This is scary. My tl would take a little drag to get to 2nd gear in the morning but after that its fine.
Can i still save my trans? Or is it better just to put a new tarnny In ?

Skirmich

^ There is no band aid to fix a problematic tranny once its going its just a matter of time before it completely dies..


But a Drag? you mean it takes time to shift into 2nd? that isn't related to our trans problem, How long since you replaced the ATF?

octoher12

A couple weeks ago i changed fluid.
I start the car,put car in drive i feel a little jerk.
When i drive out my parking spot, my car like hesitates to go to 2nd, it gives me a little pull/jerk then bam 2nd gear and problem is gone. Peopel told me i might need trans mounts or engine mounts. Not sure


We are talking about a 4speed automatic.

Skirmich

They are probably right since most of the load is in the first gears.. Check your Mounts! Also 4 speeds are nowhere near as problematic than our 5 Speedos so odds are its your mounts.

TLZINE99

Solid built other than the trans? LOL ur a funny guy! The ignition on these cars can get u killed just like the prius, the EGR passageway clogging like a mofo can also make the car unoperatable even after Honda issuing the recall by drilling the passageway didnt fix the problem, the power steering leaks and whines like nobodys business with the old o-ring, The AC compressor has tendency to self distruct with the clutch particles destroying the entire system that can be very expensive repair 2k upwards to 4k repair and the motor mount creates the biggest rattle in the world and even after the replacement OEM mount with vaccum lines there is no hope u just have to deal with the rattle for all your life..lol Engine is rock solid though i give them that.

octoher12

Well thats kind of good to hear!
---- but is bad to rebuild your trans?
(Add a band aid or two)

Skirmich

Never replaced the O-ring in my 12yrd old Power Steering pump, Never had an Issue with A/C Compressor like in EVER, EGR clogs like IN ANY CAR never had an excessive clogging, Dunno what your talking about ignition? Until you had all of these issues on your car (Which I highly Doubt) then you are just repeating stuff you heard or read... I am the single owner of my 2002 TL-S and never ran on any of these issues, Not even the A/C Resistor blowing up or the A/C Fan connector burning up..


So I stand by my words only the transmission is the issue on these cars, that and the Heating Seat element are the only popular recurring problems you will find on this forum... You can probably argue that most owners don't get into the forum Ill grant you that but I don't have to read or hear anything since I had my car since it rolled out of the dealership back in Dec 01 pretty much lived every single recall and TSB in its useful life... So at least for me the car has been bulletproof aside from the Transmission..

3.2TLc

Do the simple stuff like mounts and fluid drain & fill first. Clean the solenoid screens.

As previously mentioned the 4 speed in your '99 is much more durable than the newer 5 speeds in the 2000 and up TL's. It's not a bad thing to rebuild the 4 speed tranny.....if ya like the car and it's mechanically solid.

Just remember that $1500 > $2000 is a considerable amount to spend on an older car worth about the same as the involved repairs.

Johnny2003TL-S

Skirmich, you are lucky. I wish I had that luck. Tranny, Ignition Coils, HIDs, axles, melted blower motor connector, ac resistor blown, ignition issues, etc, etc = 6k grand in repairs from 85k-115k. Done at reasonable places or by me. Now stutter on ignition and rough idle(tune up I guess, oh and it needs a new HID setup again, (Morimotos dead after a year, don't count on me using them again)). Around 10k for the car with 85k miles, plus 6k or more, in repairs for it to get to 116k miles = me no happy. $6000 in 30k miles? Not including routine maintence. As boring and 'poor' as this makes me... I could have a new base civic or corolla for that price with 0 issues for 200,000 miles and 40mpg. I'm not hating on the car, I just wish I had more money...

Yes the engine is bulletproof tho!!! I'm not being a jerk, just sayin' ...ouchy ouchy. $$$

3.2TLc

^^^ Sorry for your poor luck !!!
Apparently it's time for ya to move on to another car.

Skirmich

OUCH!!!!! Dude 6K in 30K Miles??? That's just unreasonable... I guess that's the good thing of being the single owner I guess..
Shit I'm even running the stock HID Ballast 12yrd old by now hahaha..

gvillecat

3.2TLc, thanks for the advice about purchasing a used 2006/07 Honda Accord V6 transmission... does the AV6 tranny require any additional part(s) to install in my 2002 3.2 TL - S ?

Skirmich

^ Nope its dead bolt-on.. Just remember that you need to swap parts from your current transmission into the AV6 no extra parts needed.

dannysayaseng

good luck on av6 swap man. my tranny is going to shit as well, making me to go out to look for parts for a 6 speed swap

gvillecat

Skirmish / Anyone... I purchased a 2006 Accord 3.0L V6 Tranny to install in my 2002 Acura TL-S. The tranny has 81,000 miles on it (grade A) and I got it for $620 (+ $120 shipping). I was going to buy one at a local salvage yard, but the local salvage yard was much higher. The local yard wanted $1,185 (return core for $150). No core charge at the other place.
Anyway, I've read conflicting messages about rather or not to replace the 3rd and 4th gear (clutch) pressure switches. I've read where it's recommended, but not necessary. From success stories, it sounds like most individuals only swapped the 3 parts: swap the cooler/ warmer filter assembly (I've ordered a new gasket & filter); swap the range switch and swap the 3 & 4 gear switch "harness".
There appears to be 3 options:
1) purchase new pressure switches (TL = 28600-P7Z-003 & 28600-P7W-003 & washers) and install in the accord tranny.
2) take the TL pressure switches from your old tranny, install in the accord tranny.
3) don't worry about swapping the switches, just leave the switches that are in the Accord tranny.

I realize the best option would be to purchase new switches... but is there a problem with option 3.
Thanks !

TLer trash

I tried option 3 first on my daughter's car, then option 1. I can't detect any difference, although I have a "phantom" clutch switch code. The trans works just fine, and doesn't turn on a cel, but there's always a clutch switch code in the pcm memory. I don't know if this was so with the original trans, and no one else here has reported the same issue.

gvillecat

TLer... thanks for your reply. I don't like option 2, because why would I want to put the switches on my tranny that failed after 240K in the accord tranny. But maybe the switches rarely go bad ? I guess I can always purchase new ones and swap them out later like you did ... but if the tranny runs good, I will likely just roll with it.
Of note, the solenoids are exactly the same (same part #s) on both trannies, but the pressure switches are a different part # ??

Skirmich

^ Option 3 for sure! Its what most swaps have done with no issues.

03blackbeast

I'm with Skirmich on this one. Running at 270K right now on my 03 TLP and have owned it for the past 50K for 3 years. I have run it hard. Only repair so far has been dropping in the AV6 which I was relatively prepared for after I'd heard about all the problems with the stock tranny. The one in my car was the original. I've still got the original starter, alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor (although the clutch is bad on it and you can hear the damn thing all the time). All I've done since buying it has been tires, brakes, oil changes, power steering flush, and tranny flushes. This car is rock solid. There have been some lemons out there but I guess I got a lucky one. This is really a very reliable car if you take care of it and let her show you her wild side every once in a while .

TLZINE99

Lemon trans lol if i had enough cash 2 buy a used car i wouldnt even bother repairing this junk.

3.2TLc

Once the tranny issues are resolved, these TL's will last longer and run better than anything else that ya could buy used for the price of an "AV6" donor tranny. {$2000}

Bluefranky

k......just bought an 03 tl....when cold, she rev's out (sometimes) when shifting into second. Most of the time, no issue...have put about a hundred miles on her. She did "that thing" three times in two weeks..again, only when cold...and only once at a time.

Where are these solenoid screens referred to on an 03?...(could someone please refer me to a photo)
I imagine that and a filter change are a possible fix....or in the minds of those who know...are we talking a patch job with the inevitable AV6 swap in the wings?

Skirmich

^ You are just prolonging the inevitable.... Engine Over-rev = SLIP = Worn Clutches = Bye bye Trans...


You can probably do a lot of stuff in the meantime just to get to the same place
=
Trans needs to be replaced by an AV6 06-07 Trans pretty surely in the near future.




Once the trans slips its just a matter of time before it dies.. There is no way to restore the clutch packages to their former glory with any ATF changing or Screen Solenoid cleaning.. Once it slips it means the clutch are damaged already and badly.

Bluefranky

Appreciate it!

Just had Mr. Transmission manager take it for a drive...says second to third is the studder..and she is gone soon...

He claims AV6 06-07 is same trans as what is in Acura....and quoted me 2500 to rebuild exisiting

.....yes, I am reading what all are claiming here....GO WITH ACCORD V6 06-07 AND BE DONE WITH IT!!

ps.....I can probably get a used accord v6 trans in the 600 range.....what is a typical timeframe (number of hourse) I should expect.....as I now search for a mechanic who can do a cash job?

many many thanks!

Blue

Skirmich

Basically almost all shops will try to steer you away from doing the swap! Trans Shops don't like swaps as they need to give warranty on their jobs by law..
First of all lets get things straight our trans is a "B7WA" (1st Gen 5 Speed for Honda) used in up to 2003 models in other cars too isn't anywhere near close to being the same to the "BAYA" (2nd/3rd Gen 5 Speed) in the Accord V6 06-07 Transmission! So the Mr. Transmission Manager is talking up his ass and trying to talk you out of the swap like most shops do.. These are 3 generation apart transmissions, 3x considered different transmissions.

Now you need to make sure the trans comes from a 2006-2007 model as those are basically the bulletproof (Or the lowest number of models with trans issues reported) also you don't want it from a Hybrid model! You want the good old gasoline V6 J30 Transmission.


A shop will usually ask for 500 bucks for the swap depending on the shop it can go all the way up to 800bucks.. If they try to take 1K steer far far away! 800bucks is already steep. As for hours of labor? well that really depends on the shop to be honest.. I say I could do the swap with all the tools in about 5hours? 6? Taking into account I don't have a hydro lift. So 500 bucks its the minimum..

Bluefranky

really appreciate!

best regards

Blue

Bluefranky

if there is anyone reading this in the greater Toronto Area....who can refer me to the best place to pick up a good used aforementioned tranny, I would be grateful!

3.2TLc

Try checking the site's "REGIONS" sub-forum for your particular area.

Bluefranky

Before I get into this...

as much as the Accord Tranny is much better, the only one I am finding at this point is an 07 with 78000 mile on it (124000 kms)

should this mileage be a concern
2) is there a diff between American made tl's and Canadian?

I ask this because one of the suppliers I called said the accord trannies he had that matched year would not work because they came from Japan and had a different housing altogether

....just crossing t's n dotting eyes before I pull the trigger

Skirmich

1) That Mileage is very good! don't expect to find a Cherry Trans (Less than 50K) easily.. Everything below 100K is a good find.


2) I don't recall any differences mechanically speaking between USA/Canada Models? Lets see if fatty can chime in..


3) IIRC JDM ACCORDS didn't even come with a V6 Option.. They used the K20-K24 so obviously a JDM Trans wont work its not even made for a V6.
FYI: The 7th Generation JDM Accord 2002-2007 (CL7/8/9) are exactly the Acura TSX (1st Gen).

3.2TLc

~ ~ .... Hey Bluefranky, while I don't really know for sure about any differences if any between Canadian & USA models.....perhaps find out what info your TL's VIN# and tranny's ID# will give ya.
Find out where your TL was manufactured.

Then when calling the yards, ask them for the donor tranny's ID#. Maybe that will help ya to sort things out a bit better. Man, a Japanese built tranny would be worth it's weight in gold !!!