Aug
2002 Acura MDX Transmission Replacement at Accurate Automotive Auto Repair
Accurate Automotive, Inc. has specialized exclusively in the service and repair of Honda & Acura automobiles in the Nashville, TN area for the past 12 years; and a couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to do something that I rank at the top of “MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO LIST”.
A new customer contacted us by phone and requested a price quote for an automatic transmission replacement in his 2002 Acura MDX Touring. His vehicle was at the local Nashville area Acura franchised dealership and their service department had informed him that he would need to replace the transmission. Because their price seemed excessive; he wanted to “shop around” before giving them “the ok” to proceed.
Because the overhead and daily expenses of operating Accurate Automotive is a fraction of what it costs to run a franchised dealership in Cool Springs; our service department was able to quote a price that was less expensive; but there were two other major things that got this new customers attention:
The first thing was that our service department uses a rebuilt transmission from H&A Transmissions, out of California. We started installing H&A transmissions over 8 years ago and Honda and Acura transmissions are all they rebuild. The reason we rely on H&A is simple:
- Their product is good.
- Their warranty is good.
- They take pride in the product that they sell.
The second thing that seemed to “win him over” was the actions of the franchised dealership service writer. According to the customer, when he told the service writer that Accurate Automotive would be picking up his Acura MDX with the tow truck later that day, the franchised dealer’s service writer had indicated that we would likely install a used transmission out of a wrecked Acura MDX. He also lowered his original price quote and claimed that their warranty was better.
Because this customer is a business owner himself; he identified that Accurate Automotive is a direct and legitimate competitor for the service and repair of Acura and Honda vehicles in the Nashville, Tennessee area. He ignored the franchised dealers defamatory remarks.
We simply explained that Accurate Automotive does not install used transmissions in Acura MDX units and informed him that an H&A rebuilt transmission would be installed in his Acura MDX.
We also informed the customer that a larger and more efficient transmission fluid cooler would be installed during the installation procedure and that the use of Genuine Honda / Acura automatic transmission fluid (Honda part number 08200-9001 or 08200-9001A) would be applied.
The reason for the new cooler is based on an H&A recommendation of installing a larger tranmission fluid cooler when installing a replacement transmission in Honda Pilots, Honda Odysseys and Acura MDXs. Because of their expertise, we make it a habit of listening to H&A’s advice.
The new customer realized that even with the fluid cooler and installation, our price was lower than the franchised dealer’s adjusted price.
He told us to dispatch our tow truck, install the transmission, and to call him when his MDX was ready to go. He came in a few days later and even found our covered customer pick-up area to be useful on that rainy morning.
I live in Sonoma, California. I have a 2002 MDX that needs a new transmission. Do you replace the computer in these vehciles when installing a new transmission. As I understand, this is a requirement of Acura Dealerships, but they won’t tell me much. Do you have knowledge of this matter. I appreciate your time in response.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:45 am….charlie.
Our service department does not replace the computer / ECU when we replace the transmission…..
H&A does send a copy of the Honda Service Bulletin to inform the installer that Honda recommends it; but H&A does not require the computer to be replaced, to be in compliance with their warranty.
However, since the writing of this blog article; H&A does require that the transmission cooler be installed on all Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey, and Acura MDX applications. This is manditory and they automatically send the cooler with the replacement transmission.
So to be clear, we do install a new cooler but we have never seen a reason or had any problems with not replacing the computer / ECU during a transmission replacement.
Hope this helps.
Ed
September 24th, 2009 at 2:35 pmMy wife just bought a new Honda Pilot, and it now has approximately 3400 miles on it. It recently had one the first oil change, using Vavoline synthetic. After reading your artiicle, I am wondering if purchasing and installing a trans cooler now, might help to eliminate this transmission failure, or at least significantly extend tranny life.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:30 pmFirst, please understand that the 2002 Acura MDX was the second production year for a Honda SUV that could tow over 3500 lbs., and there were some significant production adjustments made that pertained to transmission design and fluid cooling, from 2001 to 2009.
If your Pilot is a Touring model and was already equipped with a hitch from the factory, you should not need an additional cooler.
If you are not towing anything large, I would not be concerned with additional fluid cooling at this time.
With that said, the most important thing to do, pertaining to the transmission, is change the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) once a year with Genuine Honda fluid……DO NOT FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION……Simply drain and fill.
Ed
December 15th, 2009 at 4:17 pmMy Acura dealership says I need to replace my transmission. What would a remanufactured transmission cost? I was told $3200 from the dealership. Thank you.
February 14th, 2010 at 11:46 amIf you need a transmission replacement, the main thing that you must give attention to is where the replacement unit is coming from and if a supplemental fluid cooler is going to be installed….See original post article text.
DO NOT INSTALL A USED TRANSMISSION unless you have a couple thousand dollars that you wish to flush down the toilet…..This also pertains to having a transmission shop (that does not specialize exclusively in Honda and Acura transmissions) attempt to rebuild your transmission unit.
The transmission that comes from American Honda may have a longer replacement warranty (36 month / 36,000 miles), but we have seen that these units do not hold-up as well as the H&A units that we install….This could be a direct result of not installing the supplemental fluid cooler…..Which H&A automatically sends with their transmission units.
While we have not seen a need to install an updated version of the ECU (computer), that most Acura dealers recommend with the transmission replacement; the fluid cooler is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The transmission replacement (with installation) as described in the original blog post, with the supplemental fluid cooler has a current price tag of $3200.00 +tx at our facility.
If you have taken care of you ‘02 MDX, it is worth installing a rebuilt transmission…..Those vehicles do not give a lot of problems.
February 15th, 2010 at 11:01 ammy 2001 mdx got its transmission rebuild by Mr. Transmission (Houston) and it has gone back 4 times (last 4 weeks). The check engine light still comes on. The car seems to drive okay. They claim to have replaced all the solenoids and the Torque converter (three times). They may look at replacing the computer next.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:07 pmI wonder if they are able to fix it ? I asked them to give the money back so I can go to a dealer. But they do not want to back down. What should I do ?
I can’t think of a worse place to go for a transmission rebuild on a Honda or Acura vehicle, than Mr. Transmission….. They may be fine for the domestic garbage, but Honda and Acura vehicles are different. They do not know what they are doing and if you have them install a new ECU, you will be simply digging that hole deeper into your wallet. Drop back and punt. In other words chalk up this fiasco with Mr. Transmission to experience learned the hard way.
You need to replace the transmission with an H&A unit…..That is the only answer that I know to give.
Sorry about the situation, but just learn from it….. When it comes to Honda and Acura transmission repair, Mr. Transmission sucks….. It’s that simple.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:36 pmAt 90k miles Acura West in MD replaced the transmission in my 2001 MDX as a goodwill transaction, with a rebuilt 2003 transmission (I think?) with no warranty. I now have 140k miles and recently the transmission light came indicating it had overheated and rpm reaved up and down briefly and some fluids came out. I quickly stopped the vehicle and let it rest for 2 hours and then drove home 60 miles. The car seems fine now, but Acura West tells me the transmission is shot. If I now install a fluid cooler do you think I can drive the vehicle for 10 - 15k miles more?
June 9th, 2010 at 10:18 amWould you say that installing a transmission without a supplemental fluid cooler would be negligent?
June 9th, 2010 at 2:50 pmthank you
If the “check engine” light is not on, and the transmission is shifting properly with no noises; I would not worry about it….. Install a transmission cooler, drain / fill the transmission fluid a couple of times (using only the Genuine Honda transmission fluid) and after driving it / changing the fluid a couple of times with about 50 miles between the fluid changes and you should be fine…..
Hope this helps.
Ed
June 9th, 2010 at 3:52 pmAs for your other question pertaining to “negligence” of the installer not includng a fluid cooler during transmission replacement; I simply cannot make that determination. You said it was goodwill warranted, so I would think “no, he would not be at fault”. Afterall, you obtained a transmission at no cost or at a heavily discounted cost that was based on “goodwill” with a 90k mile vehicle. Also, the importance of these fluid coolers has been noted just in the past 18 to 24 months, now that these MDX units are getting up above 100,000 miles.
Ed
June 9th, 2010 at 3:53 pmFound your blog researching my Transmission issues on my 2001 MDX (148K miles). I had slipping/hanging shifts, the check engine light, and the flashing D5. My Acura mechanic who I have gone to for years and trust (Tao in NC) says I need a complete transmission replacement at $4400. It comes with a 36 month/36K warranty but it still seems pretty steep. No mention of Acura recalls or Acura paying for anything. Sound about right or should I call the dealer?
July 31st, 2010 at 11:40 amSorry to hear about the transmission going out, but that is about the average life (mileage) for that transmission.
I checked with our service manager, prior to responding to your inquiry. He told me that the 2001 and 2002 MDX units are cheaper than the 2003 and up MDX units. With the auxilary cooler that we install, the total replacement cost would be around $3300.00 +tx.
If you would like to bring it here for the $1100 savings and the vehicle is not driveable; we could arrange to have it brought to us, via transport carrier.
Let us know if you would like to entertain this possibility. Call 615-220-0333 and ask for Troy, The transport cost of the MDX would likely be $250 to $325.
Hope this helps.
July 31st, 2010 at 2:29 pm