Comments on: 2002 Acura MDX Transmission Replacement at Accurate Automotive Auto Repair

By: ebrian

ebrian — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:15:45 +0000

I have heard that H@A now has a distribution facility in the Northeast also, which they just opened…. Check their website for verfication of this. As for the the cooler; all of their transmissiosn now include an auxilary cooler, which must be installed during transmission installation, to validate their warranty coverage…. I do not recommend any type of filter though and to my knowledge, neither does H@A. The only location you could place a fluid filter would be in one of the cooler lines, and this could cause fluid leakage issues as well as pressure / fluid flow issues (even in a clean filter). Finally, the best thing to remember is to change the ATF one time a year or every 15,000 miles (whichever comes first)… AND ONLY USE GENUINE HONDA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

By: 2001 MDX transmission problems - Acura MDX Forum : Acura MDX SUV Forums

2001 MDX transmission problems - Acura MDX Forum : Acura MDX SUV Forums — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:59:19 +0000

[...] place in nyc? I heard aftermarket transmission from (H&A transmissions) are quality build. 2002 Acura MDX Transmission Replacement at Accurate Automotive Auto Repair | Honda and Acura Used Ca… Can I get it in nyc ? Do you think I should install a transmission cooler and change the filter [...]

By: ebrian

ebrian — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:36:27 +0000

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.

By: ebrian

ebrian — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:01:55 +0000

If 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.

By: Richard F Harris

Richard F Harris — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:46:44 +0000

My Acura dealership says I need to replace my transmission. What would a remanufactured transmission cost? I was told $3200 from the dealership. Thank you.

By: ebrian

ebrian — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:17:51 +0000

First, 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.

By: ebrian

ebrian — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:35:52 +0000

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.

By: Charlie Oncea

Charlie Oncea — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:28 +0000

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.
….charlie.