jimsinair

I have a 2000 Acura TL with transmission problems. The car has just under 104,000 miles. If this repair is not covered by under extended warrenty. Is it possible to swap Honda's V6 Accord 4AT for the Acura's 5AT?

I also own a 98 Honda Accord V6 and the transmission has been great. I would rather have a Honda 4AT than the Acura 5AT, if I have to replace it on my own. Has anyone ever done this swap before? Can the Honda 4AT handle the Acura's 3.2 horsepower output?

phee

iTrader: (5)

this would be a good time to consult fsttyms. our guru of swapology

01tl4tl

nothing is ever a straight drop in

Why makes you concerned the trans is not covered?
HAve you read the trans failure thread and registered with acura.com?

phee

iTrader: (5)

01tl4tl: you are incredible man! you have to be one of the most helpful guys out here!

co1063

yea. why not get a 6spd swap or get it fixed? even an 99 TL 4spd would be better than the accord. sell the accord and buy a new tranny since it looks like you don't want it anyways..

02type-s

lol, don't use a transmission that came from a car with less factory hp. Stick with the TL tranny or go with the 6sp.

Bob_F

Were you told by Acura that the transmission would not be covered?

Unless you have a salvage title, the extended warranty is for 109,000 miles or 7 years 9 months. And Acura has covered many "out of warranty" transmissions with goodwill repairs.

If you haven't already, talk to the Service Manager at your local dealership. If that doesn't work, call Acura's national customer care group.

See the Tranny Failure Thread for many stories of "out of warranty" repairs:

https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/leather-conditioner-help-106818/

Bob

jimsinair

I guess you did not understand the question.

The TL has a horrible history with their transmissions. The Accord does not have the problems. So why not go with something that is a proven? The engine block on the Honda 3.0 is the same on the TL 3.2. Seem like the honda transaxle would fit but I am not sure.

jimsinair

Thanks Bob,

I did talk to the dealer and they said that the car is covered. Does the new transmission get an extension on the warranty? How have the replacements been holding up lately?

Jim

fsttyms1

Because the amount of work trying to get a 4 speed to work is going to be alot. Its all controlled by the ECU and has alot of different wiring.


And yes, the new transmissions seem to be holding up if they are the post fef 05 replacements. The new transmissions only have a warranty within the extended warranty period, or if you end up having to buy it yourself.

I suggest you familiarize yourself with out search button and check out the tranny threads. All sorts of info is in there.

01tl4tl

Every replacement unit these days is built post feb 2005 and will have the good case and internal upgrades.

The dealer told me the unit has its own 12 month 10k warranty plus whatever remains of the 7/109.

a lot depends on your attitude and professed devotion to acura.

jimsinair

Thanks for the help.

I did the search and could not find one thread on Honda 4AT swap for a Acura 5AT. I am new to the site and might have missed something.

Since I have 104k on the car and it is 7 years 6 months old. That means the warranty is for 3 months and or 5k, which is really not much time or mileage. Are you saying that I can pay for an extension on the transaxle. How much does it cost and what length of coverage?

fsttyms1

your search for the 5 to 4 would come up empty as no one has done it. Plus the 4 speed isnt perfect either. It has issues as well.

01tl4tl

jim
thats correct- you have very little time left. Read the trans failure thread and know the symptoms. If you think you have ANY of them- take it in to the dealer- they will look and maybe find prob- if not- its recorded that you and they tried= so if failure after limits,
no prob on goodwill replacement.

You can buy private warranty but with over 100k I wouldnt count on it being available.

jimsinair

I have the code p1740 which is the 4th clutch switch. The car does have some rough shifting and the code has come up 3 or so times. I did a search for the P1740 and I could not find anyone having this code on the forum. I have seen a lot of 3rd clutch codes and other problems. The fluid has never had any bad stuff in it and no burnt smell.

Thank you for your time and help
Jim

TLover8888

j/k

01tl4tl

jim
Quit trying to diagnose- the trans shifts rough and is giving codes!
That fits the requirements!!
Call the dealer immediatly and ask for first available appointment as your very concerned about wife and child in car suffering traumatic failure~
Then enjoy your loaner car and new trans!
Happy Holidays

fsttyms1

Simply put, you have a code thats coming up. Bring it to the dealer. Let them diagnose it and repair it.

jimsinair

I did make an appointment for next week already.

Merry Christmas

01tl4tl

good luck with the appointment- and hope in the coming days for extreme failure symptoms!
Tis the season for a free transmission~

member phee, with a 99! just got 90% acura pays- coverage on trans replacement

pmptx

FYI
I am on my 4th and each has come with a 3 year 36K mile warranty regardless of currnet state of warranty (unless you have more than that left on your original mfr warranty)

01tl4tl

Sounds like acura is being nicer all the time with these! Covering out of limit cars and carrying own warranty farther.

TLover8888

as they should if they want us coming back in the future. A POS tranny should never have occurred with all of their R&D

fsttyms1

it wasnt always like that. Most times it came with a 12/12 unless good willed, then they usually didnt give one.

jimsinair

Got the call today and was told they are replacing the trans with a rebuilt one. I was also told they will reuse the old case and install new guts. Does this sound right?
Happy Holidays
Jim

ChrisQ1980

No, the new case has bigger oil flow passages. They should be giving you a new one.

01tl4tl

The will be reusing some of the old parts- in a different transmission at the rebuild shop.
The dealer is not even allowed to open the transmission case~~~
The parts dept fills out a form and makes a call- the next day the warehouse ships a replacement unit out and yours gets sent in- like a core charge on parts would- to live another day somewhere else

The replacement units are all built post 2-05 and have the new improved case

Congrats on that trans Jim- you will really enjoy the car now

jimsinair

Thank you for all the information. I am looking forward to a smooth driving car again.
My next project is the timing belt, water pump change and 105k check. I have the OEM parts, tools and Acura Service Manual ready to go. I have done quite a few timing belts over the years on different cars but I have never done the Honda/Acura V6. Does anyone use one of those cam gear locks during the installation? My Volvo V70 AWD gave me fits when I released the hydraulic tensioner. The belt would move both of the dual cam gears off by one notch. It would take me a few trys before before I had the proper alignment.
Happy New Year

01tl4tl

There is a great 105k service thread with many pics by a skilled member, I think it was on a gen3 but the process is the same- originally posted by Inaccurate or Southern I believe, title was- Completed the 105k service, check the DIY section for a thread.

reminder on ~new trans~, treat it like a new engine- first 500 miles no racing, vary speed slightly on freeway, combo city hwy driving etc. Let all the parts get to know each other. Test the SS mode to make sure everything is working but no full throttle runs past 5000 rpm -yet
500-1000 miles- test it out, if its going to break let it happen sooner than later on a trip.
After 1000 miles- track days approved
Enjoy