sonicc

Looking at buying an 03 TL with a bad transmission. I've found a few replacements around and was wondering when replacing the transmission is it necessary to take the car to the dealer for re-programming/relearning?

Also, what is the typical cost to just have the transmission rebuilt?


Thanks in advance.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Disclaimer; I am a manual transmission bigot and haven't even so much as driven a 2G TL. With that said, my understanding is there is no relearning/reprogramming necessary.

Regarding the transmission fix, you have a couple of options:

• Have the existing tranny rebuilt; as I understand it, there are several overhaul kits out there which range from about as robust as the factory setup (i.e. not robust at all), to reasonably robust.
• Buy an operational transmission from another 2G TL (or CL if I am not mistaken).
• Buy an 2006-2007 Accord V6 (aka. AV6) transmission; this transmission is a plug in replacement for the 2G TL unit, but internally upgraded and much more robust.

sonicc

My plan is to just go with a replacement from another 2G TL, or possibly having the current one rebuilt depending on the price.

thoiboi

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...n-swap-905115/

https://www.google.com/search?q=site...hrome&ie=UTF-8


The AV6 is a much better solution if you want to keep the car long term. Tried and true method

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Fetching one from an Accord V6 model might actually cost less. Why? There were a heck of a lot more of them made than of the 2G TL. I've read on this board some folks have sourced low(ish) mileage used AV6 transmissions for as little as $500; buy it, slap in in, and go.

Kris9884

I don't know why anyone would even consider another TL trans when the Accord/Odyssey option is plug and play, easier to find, usually cheaper and has no known issues. Saying "AV6 swap" scares people because they assume its all kinds of custom work and wiring when in fact, it's identical, literally plug and play. Here's a good analogy. You have a sexy set of identical twins in front of you and can only choose to take one home, one has AIDS and the other doesn't, which would you choose?

sonicc

I've been reading about the AV6 swap, but I am not planning on keeping the car for very long so to me it doesn't seem worth it. If I was keeping the car, I would most likely go with a manual 6 swap from a CL.

thoiboi

I like to live my life on the edge

sonicc

your avi though...

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

The difference is the AV6 swap is easy to do, pull the old tranny, put in the new one. The 6MT swap is a beast and can cost a lot of money.

thoiboi

I'd urge you to look into the AV6 as well..

sonicc

Any ideas what it typically costs to have the transmission rebuilt?

Kris9884

More than the AV6 swap, don't do it.

Iggy

I'm guessing between $3,000 - $3500. Not worth it.

frankjnjr

FWIW" I recently took a friends 2003 TLS to a Quality local transmission shop, and requested an estimate to repair the failing transmission. After requesting an estimate to install an AV6 transmission, the shop advised, they would not recommend, nor warranty the AV6 swap! I accepted their reluctance to do the swap, and presented them with the detailed instructions, and positive results, as listed on this forum. THEY WERE NOT IMPRESSED, nor persuaded, that the swap was a good idea, nor would they do it. The shop INSISTED, they were very familiar with the 2G TL failure issues, and could rebuild the 2G transmission with redesigned components, which would make it considerably more durable than the original!!! Cost of the rebuild, of course depends on the condition of the case, and all internal parts, with most rebuilds averaging $3200.00, according to them. My experience is, that even if you paid top dollar for a low mileage AV6 transmission, around $900.00, and an additional $600.00 for installation, the end result, would be a far superior transmission, for less than Half The Cost, of a rebuild. Please note: the cost benefit of the AV6 is made, under the assumption that the Donor transmission is warrantied, of high quality, and serviceable! Should you, by chance, stumble on a bad AV6, which is a remote possibility, both your swap costs, and time involved would be increased.

thoiboi

Well sounds like the shop is just trying to look out for its best interest ($$$) versus yours whilst hiding under the veil of "oh it's DANGEROUS and incompatible"

Kris9884

Why throw yourself under the bus? ITS IDENTICAL. Bring your Accord trans and drop it off as the replacement without even mentioning its from a different car, they'll never know. Advise them to use all of the accessories from the old one or, just remove all of the ones from the Accord trans so they HAVE to without you saying anything??? Its not difficult, step outside of the box a bit. Besides, if the shop needs all of this forum proof and a diy to get the swap done, definitely take your business elsewhere anyway.

sonicc

You guys are killing me

While it makes sense if you're keeping the car to put in a better transmission, it is also more work compared to swapping in a working TL transmission. I know some of you are saying it's plug and play, but it's not...putting in a TL transmission is plug and play. Putting in AV6 transmission is plug - do some extra swapping - play

thoiboi

ehh it's the person that is buying your car after that will deal with that problem


we gave you the best solution, you're welcome to not take it

sonicc

you did - and thank you - AV6 swap is not completely out of question, but a preference would be on a low mileage TL transmission or rebuild if it's cheap enough. Failing that, AV6 swap time!

frankjnjr

Good points. However, normally, I do all my own work, and try to be up front, when it is necessary to have someone work on one of my cars.. Although the outward appearance of the AV6 may be identical to the 2G, the transmission identification plate, would be a certain tell! In my opinion, ANY shop, that failed to verify the identification of the transmission they are installing, would be doing a dis-service to both themselves, and their customer! Thank you for your input.

SuperGreg

True, I think I spent three hours swapping parts and that's mostly due to the gasket for the passage body being extremely stuck on requiring a lot of clean up, and I moved over absolutely every bracket bolted to the tranny because they all have clips for the wiring harness that differ (even the dipstick tube).

Iggy

In my twisted view, that 3 hrs is time well spent and merely a pittance in the grand scheme of things

frankjnjr

ditto