RSX-S Transmission flaw

This topic has probably been done, but....

Anyone with the S notice really bad notchiness around third? My mechanic was saying it's a chronic problem. Wondering if Honda corrected the problem in the 2004 model or even plans to correct it? Not a huge problem, but it could be soooo much smoother....

Ive got the same thing your talking about, it seems to only happen at certain RPM'S because sometimes its smooth, but it happens enough for me to be annoyed by it. I took it to the Acura Dealership and they told me nothing was wrong, i feel they are covering up that its a defect though because i know a few other ppl who have had the problem. And when i set up the appointment for it to be checked out, the secretary on the phone was like "Ohh really, well we've had some other complaints about that, just bring it in and we will look at it." I really feel like they are trying to just get me to drive it till my warranty's up =(

:disappoin

If it's certain RPMs, that sounds like a balky synchronizer. I can't rememember for sure but I thought the 6 speed has some whiz bang dual synchronizers on some gears.

Yeah, Praet- you get used to nice smooth hits, you drop your guard and end up grinding the hell out of a gear :swear: . It only happens when I shift in lower rpm range. If I rev high enough and double-clutch it never happens. My mechanic (not a dealership guy) said it was a design flaw most likely and not something that could be fixed, but I don't know. Honda HAS to be aware of it. If so, I bet they're making good money pretending to "check" transmissions...transmissions they know they can't fix.

Anyone with the S notice really bad notchiness around third?

I haven't experienced that, if the transmission didn't shit the bed, then it could be that you aren't shifting right, or it could be the synchros. The 6-speed tranny used on the rsx has triple cone synchronizers on the first and second gear but only double cone synchros on the rest, except for reverse. So the shifting may be significantly less smoother. Try shifting from 2nd to 4th and see if you feel any difference. If that's the case, it shouldn't be a huge difference in smoothness. Also, if you live in a cold climate air might get in your clutch line and the clutch may not be fully engaging so you may be grinding the gears without even knowing it. This happened to my brother's accord last winter. If none of this helps and it gets progressively worse, take it to a tranny shop (specifically a tranny shop not just a garage) you may have to get your tranny rebuilt and I'm pretty sure acura won't pick up the bill.

I just talked to someone that works at an acura dealership from this forum and he says he hasn't seen any messed up trannys that weren't due to negligence.

good luck finding the problem.

Brandt- I'm going to try not to take anything you said personally about shifting correctly or implications of negligence on my part. I can drive the hell out of any standard. :biggrin: The transmission has been in this shape since it left the lot. Like I said, the mechanic felt it was a factory flaw. Its not a non-functional or damaged transmission- just "quirky".
I do live in New England, but this occurs regardless of the weather.

Brandt- I'm going to try not to take anything you said personally about shifting correctly or implications of negligence on my part.

yea i wasn't trying to make it sound like i'm putting anything off on you... just telling you like i hear.

What would be considered negligence? I mean is there anything im suppose to be maintaining besides transmission fluid? And i always take my car into the shop for full Oil And Lube every couple of months.

talking about defects...... is ur gear box manual or automatic.....



----------------------------
dont blame me... i m a newbie

Im driving an '04 type S...

I haven't noticed any weird engine action in 3rd gear yet. Although, It's funny that you mention 3rd gear because I've noticed a slight "catch" when shifting into 3rd. Nothing from the engine.. just physically moving the stick... seems to slightly catch on to something when coming from 2nd. Hasn't really been a problem so far and is barely noticeable, its just that shifting into all other gears is so incredibly smooth.

Engine wise everything seems fantastic so far.

talking about defects...... is ur gear box manual or automatic.....

dude type-s's only come in 6-speeds.

I haven't noticed any weird engine action in 3rd gear yet. Although, It's funny that you mention 3rd gear because I've noticed a slight "catch" when shifting into 3rd. Nothing from the engine.. just physically moving the stick... seems to slightly catch on to something when coming from 2nd.


probably the difference in feel from going to a gear with triple cone syncho's to double cone synchro's. by the way if i may ask, how much did you pay for your rsx?

About 22
Why do you ask?

curious because i want to get one because my accord got totally worked by a dodge dakota and the whole back suspension hasn't felt the same since. so it's either an rsx type-s, prelude type-sh, or a gsr integra.

WURM, that's pretty much what I have going on with my 03- so it must be due to design...

Join our petition!!

http://www.petitiononline.com/RSXgrind/petition.html

Read about it here!!

http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=127024&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Hey,

I've have the same exact problem. Have a 2003 Type-S and Acura is giving me the runaround. Wondering if you found out anything. Email me so we can talk.

Jonathan


This topic has probably been done, but....

Anyone with the S notice really bad notchiness around third? My mechanic was saying it's a chronic problem. Wondering if Honda corrected the problem in the 2004 model or even plans to correct it? Not a huge problem, but it could be soooo much smoother....

Jont- from what I've been hearing lately the notchiness is the norm and has something to do with the fact that the S transfers from triple cone synchros to double cone at third gear. It's definitely a small factory flaw within that setup- and my Acura dealer denies the problem as well (naturally). The only honest opinion I've been able to get is from an excellent independent Honda mechanic I see in conjunction. Unless Acura issues a recall, were stuck. I've just been keeping the revs higher when upshifting and double-clutching on the downshift to avoid the problem. You can sign the petition, but I dont know if it will do much good. Tried to email but it was disabled- hope this helps.

yeah i heard the same thing but that it's triple for 1st and 2nd, and double for all the rest......i've never had problems with 4th, 5th, or 6th though so i figured it might be something else.

jon
[email protected]

I thought thats what I said....Either way, unless Honda admits the problem we have no recourse.

Just bought a 2004 A-Spec. The tranny is still a problem. 3rd gear....ugh.
Prior, I had a 2002 Type S and had 2d gear woes. Disappointing but still love the car.

my gear grinds in 2nd. even if im like making 100% sure that the clutch is down, sometimes it grinds when i put it into 2nd

I have had the same issues with my 2002 S. Sometimes if i am not paying attention I think its mad its way into third but then when I give some gas its pops out of gear. Once in a blue moon.

this isnt due negligence. the 1-2 grind and the 3rd pop out are all flaws of Acura. if u go to other RSX forums. almost half the owners have problems such as the grind. its not your fault.

Join our petition!!

http://www.petitiononline.com/RSXgrind/petition.html

Read about it here!!

http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=127024&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Just signed the petition hoping it might help but we need to get more rsx drivers with this problem to sign.

I just recently bought an 04 RSX, I know its not the Type S with the aforementioned flaw, but I have also notice a "slight catch" in my gears when shifting at lower RPMs. From 1 to 2 and 2 to 3, 4 and 5 are much smoother. Hope it doesn't become a huge problem...

I've got grinds from 1-2 and 2-1 in my '02 type-s. Nobody has seemed to have any major problems with it (as far as I know anyway), but it is an annoyance.

Ha I have no problems in the 3 years with my RSX :p

And I believe they're changing a few things with the 05 tranny, but i'm not exactly sure what.

Would be nice to have the TSX tranny.....

And they say Canadian cars are poorly made compared to American, lol