2000 Acura TL 3.2 problem

matas · 10-01-2009, 05:52 PM

I drive the car in any drive position. I accelerate at first gear then it goes into 2nd gear, and when the third gear is about to kick in, the rpms go from 3k to like 4k and then it turns into 3rd gear and everything is fine after that. It seems that the first gear maybe kicks back in before turning to gear 3. What is the problem?

Necro thread. Closed.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

PhoKingGuy · 10-01-2009, 05:57 PM

Transmission is shot, you have the infamous honda glass transmission. Talk to a dealer asap to see if it can be done under warranty

matas · 10-01-2009, 06:00 PM

no it's over mileage and am not the original owner. shit, anything else i can do besides tranny?

PhoKingGuy · 10-01-2009, 06:05 PM

It sounds like your problem with 3rd gear is exactly the transmission recall, heres a description from wikipedia:

In many vehicles, the 5-speed automatic transmission failed: as the third clutch pack wore, particles blocked off oil passages and prevented the transmission from shifting or holding gears normally. The transmission would slip, fail to shift, or suddenly downshift and make the car come to a screeching halt from expressway speeds. This problem was highlighted in the Los Angeles Times in September 2002. Consumer Reports took note and awarded the TL and CL the black spot, the worst rating for transmission reliability. In response to the recurring problem, the manufacturer extended the warranty covering the transmission to 7 yrs or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) on U.S.A. models. A class action lawsuit was settled to extend the transmission warranty for U.S.A. owners or entities but not Canadians to 7.75 years for all 99 to 02 and some 03 by VIN. For details see [1] Transmissions replaced prior to March 2005 usually fail again. Transmissions replaced March 2005 and later include a redesigned third gear clutch pack reported to fix the problem.

Either replace the transmission or sell it to carmax

matas · 10-01-2009, 06:17 PM

shit bad new. trans is like 2k.. car has 118k miles.

NutBucket · 10-01-2009, 06:20 PM

Yeah, not many choices unfortunately.

I can add the most unrealistic one: Swap to a manual

matas · 10-01-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Yeah, not many choices unfortunately.

I can add the most unrealistic one: Swap to a manual

swap to manual, lol. still cost as much no?

brblx · 10-01-2009, 06:26 PM

i'd take it to the dealer and call honda's corporate number.

since these things are usually about stemming the bleeding and avoiding litigation, they may offer to pay for some of the repair bill (perhaps goodwill the part but not the labor).

only other decent option is try and trade it. i wouldn't condone trying to grift a person with a private sale, but the dealer not properly examining trade-ins is their own damned fault.

NutBucket · 10-01-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: matas

Quote:

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Yeah, not many choices unfortunately.

I can add the most unrealistic one: Swap to a manual

swap to manual, lol. still cost as much no?

More since you're paying someone to do it

Like I said, the most unrealistic.

Doggiedog · 10-02-2009, 10:22 AM

Yup. Sounds like the glass tranny. Had to replace my MDX tranny for the same reason.

thomsbrain · 10-02-2009, 11:44 AM

Had to replace my Accord V6 tranny for the same reason, luckily it was under warranty. They said it would have cost $4,000 otherwise.

You have to change the transmission fluid on these transmissions VERY frequently. Like every 15,000 miles, maybe less. It will already be dark and ready to change at that point. My manual recommends 120,000 miles between changing fluid, which is an absolute joke since the transmissions won't even last that long if you don't change the fluid.

The problem was that these transmissions are essentially five individual manual transmissions with their own clutches, and to smooth out the gearchanges, the clutches do a lot of slipping. They build up heat very quickly and toast their fluid. It was an overly complicated design, IMO. The Honda Accord service manual has over 300 pages devoted to nothing but the automatic transmission on the V6 model!

After you get your transmission replaced, I have found that changing the transmission fluid is actually pretty easy to do yourself. It's not really any harder than an oil change once you find the fill and drain bolts and get the right tools (I needed a couple socket extensions and a fluid pump to reach the fill hole in the engine bay). Honda's ATF fluid and appropriate crush washers for the drain and fill bolts can be found cheap at handa-accessories.com (yes, hAnda, not hOnda). There isn't a consumer-serviceable filter, so you don't need to worry about that.

Good luck.

seansean · 11-07-2012, 05:03 PM

im want to buy a acura tl 2000... the person im buying it from says the head vavle needs to be replaced the car is 1500... im jus wondering if thats a big problem and if i do get the car will i have more then jus that to change.....

Arkaign · 11-07-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seansean

im want to buy a acura tl 2000... the person im buying it from says the head vavle needs to be replaced the car is 1500... im jus wondering if thats a big problem and if i do get the car will i have more then jus that to change.....

Nice necro of a three year old thread.

To answer your Q : Helllllll no.

1500 will buy you a decent running car, fixing one that might have a problem tranny and who knows what else wrong on top of head/valve problems is just insane. Run away from that car as far and fast as possible.

bigi · 11-08-2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matas

I drive the car in any drive position. I accelerate at first gear then it goes into 2nd gear, and when the third gear is about to kick in, the rpms go from 3k to like 4k and then it turns into 3rd gear and everything is fine after that. It seems that the first gear maybe kicks back in before turning to gear 3. What is the problem?

Change 3rd and 4th pressure switches and 100% ATF.

This is not exactly for Acura, but it is similar enough.