sysfailure0x5a

I have a TL 2005 with 97k miles. Town driving the automatic transmision seems to shift hard around first-third gear. Fast acceleration/highway driving does not "appear" to have the same issue. Neutral to Drive also seems to shift a little hard.

I've read a few posts claiming the 03's had transmission problems. I've seen some other random posts for 08's I believe. These posts claimed Honda/Acura extended the warrary of the transmission to 103-110k miles? Is this also true for the 2005 TL?

01tl4tl

the 2000-2003 got the extended warranty in a court case
05 saw a change to the case for trans with better cooling flow but not fixed the problem totally

many gen3 have failures, some get `goodwill` from acura and full or split cost coverage on replacement
of course at 97kmiles they owe you nothing according to the warranty for your gen

have you changed the fluid- at least a 3 qt drain and refill, with honda atf only!

sysfailure0x5a

I do have an extended warranty, for 24k more miles. But the deductible is 100.00. My HFL was dead too and they refused a good will replacement, so I am damn sure my local dealership will refuse to fix the tranny for fre.e

I purchased it used at 95k miles, the maintenance records look clean bu tnothing about changing the transmisison fluid. Should I do that before having them inspect the transmission or just take it in and complain?

gotkilled

iTrader: (1)

i thought the warranty covered the transmission up to 110k on the 3g now.

Sysfailure, I have the same problem as you. Car shifts fine in highway driving but in the city and if I'm pressing the pedal lightly, the transmission is kinda quirky.

sysfailure0x5a

Thats what I am trying to figure out. I cannot find anything for the 2005 regarding an extended warranty on the tranny.

TypeR?

if you are experiencing any shifting issues do not do a fluid change it will only make the problems worse! new fluid has cleaners and detergents in it and will wipe the clutches out faster than the old fluid its used to. the #1 cause of honda auto trans failures(in my experience) is torque converter failure and then it clogs the filter. especially in 98-02 accords and 2000 to 2004 tl's.

sysfailure0x5a

Then what is the fix?

TypeR?

unfortunately you need to rebuild your transmission and replace the torque converter. my shop buys there torque converters from a company called Precision and ive had alot of success with them.

sysfailure0x5a

I have an extended warranty with a $100 deductible. I think I'll just have them replace my transmission :-/

TypeR?

in that case thats what i would do. make sure they replace the torque converter as well

TypeR?

wait is your extended warranty through the dealer or just an extended warranty company?

sysfailure0x5a

Acura Care. The dealer.

I hate cars

Search is your friend. This is a common issue. Replace the 3rd and 4th gear switches, run Type F fluid. It works 95% of the time. Check for a broken motor mount.

Majofo

I was a bit concerned thinking it was an aftermarket warranty. Acura Care may not honor the warranty if you didn't perform the standard maintenance but since you bought it with a clean service record, I'm sure they'll pay minus deductible. I would try to salvage the transmission by taking IHC's advice but if you're not mechanically inclined.. just park it at the dealer you bought it from until the issue is resolved.

Chad05TL

I agree with IHC totally. Just because it's shifting hard, that doesn't mean your transmission is failing. About 25% - 40% the time, mine shifts hard from 2nd to 3rd under very light acceleration but not under moderate or heavy acceleration... Just like yours! And yes, I think it would be a good idea to check motor mounts too. When I start my engine, mostly when cold, it get a thump as it fires up and when i let off the key. Which is about the same time. So, thats just another reason I think I may have a motor mount issue. This same syptom can occur, when you think you feel the transmission shifting hard, while it may actually be too hard, it can still be exaggerated by a bad motor mount which may cause a slight thud in lower gears because the torque is higher. (if that makes sense)

VDADDY

I got a flashing D light and recognized the same. I change the switches and it drive much better.

nokkieny

Does it shift hard, but still shift on time? I sorta have the same issue, my shift from 1st to second especially at lower acceleration is the worst basically it can thud and lunge a bit, than 2nd to 3rd is not perfect, everything else is amazing as far as shifting. I have done all the necessary maintenance on my transmission. Thus I am pretty sure it is mount related as it went away for about a week when I got my rear engine mount changed but than came back along with some engine vibration, which makes me think once the mount was broken in maybe one of the other mounts has an issue, and thus it came back, when changing my front mount I had to cut the vac line and now it is very tight I am wondering if the way the vac line is bent is restricting flow.. So I am going to try to replace that, also I am replacing my transmission mounts, I replaced the top one with very little improvement, haven't gotten to the lowers yet.
But anyways, the consensus I gathered from other readings was that most transmission issues start with a shudder and normally in higher gears, What made me believe that it may not be the transmission is if I accelerate quickly it skips perfectly through the gears and the hard shift/thud is basically eliminated.

Majofo

I hate cars

Lol.

To nok, shudder at low throttle and good shifting at heavy throttle is a symptom of bad switches because it relies less and less on the switches as you get deeper into the throttle.

Majofo

Did you get my PM?

I hate cars

No sir. Just made sure it's cleared out.

nokkieny

Just realized this thread is way old. A shudder is a delay in shifting right?
Mine doesn't really delay i don't feel a loss in acceleration. I guess the easiest explanation is i can feel it shifting sometimes to much for comfort

Majofo

Not sure you wanted to make that public.

Okay, resend.

alexb92

Replace the 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches...

nokkieny

I did that about 10k miles ago? Replace them again? They affect 2nd gear?

alexb92

Didn't know you ended up replacing them. If I'm not mistaken, it will affect 2->3.

nokkieny

blah ya, im not sure, its the worse 1 -> 2
I just did a 1x3 to see if that helped, it did not which i think is good news because I still want it to be a mount issue, also the fact that no one else seems to be having my same issue makes me think it might not be the transmission.

mitsloan

I've same problem and there is a jerk when transmission is shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. Did anyone had luck fixing this issue?

Cheacher

I haven't changed anything but have the same jerking issue in lower gears and rough idle when starting the car from cold. It could just be the Motor mounts---anyone change these and have success? BTW, I have driven the car for 80,000kms with this issue and just figured it was part of the "unique quirkiness" of the car.

MLantzyTL3

I've got the same problem. But also when I'm maintaining speed usually in 3rd and 5th (@ low speeds) it stutters, then I lay off the pedal and it goes away. I've become accustomed to the "quirkiness" of my TL doing this and learned ways around it, but when the woman drives the car, it happens a good bit.

Going to replace all mounts and thinking about changing switches. (maybe all..? is that possible, recommended..?) Any one have input on this problem/fix and a ballpark of a price?

zabo358

anyone replace the mounts and swtiches yet? i have the same issues would really like to know if this has worked for someone?

I hate cars

This stuff has been gone over and done a hundred times at least. Shudder is caused by the switches and fluid, it will destroy the trans. Mounts don't cause shudder. Mounts are very easy to diagnose with another person watching the engine while you shift from drive to reverse.

scottDOTb

2005 tl 124k mi. Started a few days ago, I would get some harder than normal shifting from first to second. Saturday I turned my car on, took like 3 seconds to shift from park to drive. On my way to the park, slippage from 3rd into 4th into 5th. Changed to sportshift to get home as only first and second worked decently. 3500 to get fixed. Just thought id add to 2005 woes. I did get my motor mounts replaced though. Woo! (Fake excitement)

Majofo

Don't replace the transmission until you do a 3x3 on the ATF.

MandoTL

Just wanted to share that what the veterans like IHC & Majofo know what they are talking about. !!!

So for any other lurkers, new members or maybe returning members replace switches and fluid first!! Reset ECU procedure to help with throttle response.

I thought my tranny was on its way out due to rough shifts symptoms, well I changed the switches 30k miles ago then until recently changed them out again, along with Redline D4 ATF(4Quarts). NO PROBLEMs.

I'm at 148k miles on the original tranny, now thats nothing to gloat about but following these tips will prolong the life of your tranny.

I Wanna Go Fast

tranny just died on me yesterday 05 tl 138k on the clock was getting a hard thump when shifting in reverse..driving on the highway fluid spit out the vent tube...

refilled and car still doest move she wants to but cant any ideas? car is at the trans shop now waiting for my word im in NY car is in CT....smh