2003 Acura MDX Transmission Hesitation

Tiny
MARIONBEALL
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 ACURA MDX
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 146,000 MILES
From a stop, upon putting the car into "drive", there is a hesitation for about 2 seconds before the gear "catches". I do not press the accelerator until the gear engages, then it seems to run fine, shifting up and down the gears without a problem. If the accelerator is pressed, from a stop when the gear lever is put into drive before it "catches", there is a "thump", but I've been successful in avoiding this other than on a few occassions. It does not to seem to be getting worse, but I'm concerened since we want to keep the car on the road for a couple more years. What's might this be?

updated 3-29-10
2 questions: what's a D4 Light, and is there somewhere besides Autozone who'd do a free scan? There's none near me. Also, assuming the CEL is the Check Engine Light, it is NOT on. Thanks.
Monday, March 29th, 2010 AT 9:34 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi marionbeall,

Thank you for the donation.

Symptom description indicates a fault with the transmission. Does the CEL shows while driving?
Does the D4 light flashes?

Get a free scan done at Autozone to retrieve for trouble codes and let me know the exact code if any.
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Monday, March 29th, 2010 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Try any of the main parts stores, in fact most provide scanning services but some charges for it.

The D4 means the indicator light for the gear position.

When replying, please use the " Reply to question " link at bottom so that notification would be sent to me and I can get back to you.

Yes, CEL is the Check Engine Light.

Some codes do not trigger the CEL so a scan would confirm if any are stored.
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Monday, March 29th, 2010 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
MARIONBEALL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'll try to get the scan done and let you know. The gear indicator light is ON.
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Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
The indicator light should be on when it is selected but it will start to blink when any trouble codes are detected. Some codes require the trouble to appear more than once for the indicator light to start blinking.
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Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 AT 7:58 AM

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