2001 Acura TL Transmission does not shift

SK270

MEMBER
2001 ACURA TL
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
87,000 MILES

When I speed up the car, the RPM shoots up rapidly and the gear does not change. It would eventually go to a higher gear and RPM will drop down, but the gear shift is happening at a much higher RPM than usual. For example, it would go to about 3000-3500 RPM at the speed of 30-35 mph before shifting to a higher gear and RPM dropping.

Once when the ROM shot up, I got "Check Engine" light and took it to a shop. The mechanic read the code. It was 730 - "Incorrect Gear Ratio".

I know that Acura had extended the warranty on transmission, but it is already expired on this vehicle.

Wondering if someone can tell me what the possible cause could be and what would it typically cost to fix this problem!

Thanks
Sanjay

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello

Well I need you to check on and do a couple of things to provide you better assistance.

First - you are right - it seems they extended the warranties 7 years and 9 months or 109,000 miles which ever came first. Sorry you missed that.

Next - there is a safety recall on the transmission that may apply to your vehicle and the dealer repair for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check to see if it applies to you.

Safety Number 04-020 04/08/2005 Recall - Automatic Transmission 2nd Gear Inspection

Next - if the above doesn't' fix it then I need you to do some checks for me and let me know what happens.

First, please go to Auto Zone or O'Reilly's and for free they can pull the codes to the car. Most important. Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for free also they can bring their tester out and check your battery, alternator and starter.

Next - put the car in 1st - and do a nice take off and see how it does. Of course it won't shift but see if there is a nice steady increase in speed.

Then start off in 1st again, and nice steady take off as when you get to where it is about time to shift, then move the selector to 2nd and see if it is a smooth shift and then you gain speed in a nice steady movement.

Okay, get the picture? Each time add a gear and record what happens exactly.

Then after going through that. Start off in 2nd and do the same as above.

Do the same for each and record what happens. This includes starting off in D5.

Also don't forget reverse..... Go from park to reverse and see if it is smooth shift and take off and then from neutral to reverse.

Then do all the above and get back with me and we can take it from there if that recall doesn't make a difference.