2003 Transmission Question

[Ptwohey]

I have a 2003 Pilot with 122K miles. Runs perfect. A trans guy I know was amazed I was still on the original trans. Read much stuff on the net so I know what the deal is. I believe he said it's the pressure switches going bad that cause the trans to slip and cook. Would changing the switches be a prudent thing to do to possibly offset a trans failure? I've kept my oil very clean so maybe thats why I'm still going. Last year my D light flashed while driving. I stopped and restarted the car and it never happened again. Any ideas?

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by Ptwohey

I have a 2003 Pilot with 122K miles. Runs perfect. A trans guy I know was amazed I was still on the original trans. Read much stuff on the net so I know what the deal is. I believe he said it's the pressure switches going bad that cause the trans to slip and cook. Would changing the switches be a prudent thing to do to possibly offset a trans failure? I've kept my oil very clean so maybe thats why I'm still going. Last year my D light flashed while driving. I stopped and restarted the car and it never happened again. Any ideas?

He probably has experience with other early 2000 Honda/Acura V6 models that had significant failures (in the 25% range). These included the Accord, Ody, TL, CL. The Pilot did not experience high failure rates with the same transmission. The 2003 model year tranny has an average failure rate according to Consumer Reports owner reported reliability surveys. Average translates to a 3% failure rate for the 2003 year. That is supported by the low quantity of failures reported here.

You want to change the fluid but not flush it. Flushing it forces more crap into the sensors/screens blocking them.

[N_Jay]

I did.

Probably a little late for me. Changed them at 170K after feeling a little shuddering.

Still have some, but it is MUCH better.

[taputah]

About six months ago I had a flashing D about 2 or 3 times in a month and then nothing for the past 5 months. I planned to change my switches then, but hadn't got around to it. Now, I just changed mine at 92000 miles on an 05. I had some shuddering and that has disappeared now. I also did trans oil change with the new DW-1. Shifts are crisp and clean now; not that I was complaining about shifts before, but I can really tell the difference.