2018 Pilot exL transmission warning light

ac13 said:

Sounds like you are still under warranty, if you search this forum, you will see lots people under the same boat. if you can afford to trade it in and get another car, why not. Otherwise, have them repalce the Torque converter, disable the VCM after (is not hard or have your local shop do it if you can't do it yourself, No, dealer will not do it) and you should be good to go for a long time.
If you want to keep the car for a while, yes, I would go for extanded warrany if the price is right but it also depends on how long the extanded warranty will be. Good Luck.

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sequoiasoon said:

Also check who the extended warranty is from. You are way past when you would be able to get the HondaCare factory warranty 3/36.

Many years back my friend had a extended warranty on used Suburban from a company named "Warranty Gold" they filed for bankruptcy but were still selling new policies. He lucked out, dealer never sent in paperwork so when he needed major work he called and they said no policy but he had all his stuff. Went to dealer asked for sales/service manager and had them call, same story. The dealer ate the cost of all the repairs which was 3x the cost of the policy.

The 6 speed has been discussed many times on here. If they cover it the TC should make it good BUT also ask about the motor mounts. When you get it back do the VCM disable and plane to change fluid on it with a drain & fill at least yearly. No confidence in reliability in your own vehicle sucks, been there and then git rid of those vehicles. Unfortunately replacement might be same. Search Honda Pilot cold weather starter. Frozen starters keeping people form being able to start their new 2020+ Pilots in really cold temperatures.

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sequoiasoon said:

The VCM (variable cylinder management) is Honda's fuel saving method that shuts down the back 3 cylinders under listed conditions like light cruise on highway. Shutting those down makes the motor unbalanced. To fix the vibrations Honda has electronic motor mounts that stiffen/soften accordingly. Honda also has the Torque Converter slip through software so you don't feel the transition as much as it turns on and off.

It all actually works very well and lets Honda meet the emission standards. The long term affects are Torque converters and clutches that go bad, motor mounts that go bad, transmission fluid that overheats from the slipping but that is after warranty period. Older VCM on some Honda's has had owners with engine problems that was told they need a motor rebuild for stuck rings because they are jammed with burnt oil and other. For some multiple oil changes (and flush) fixed that with no rebuild after VCM was disabled.

Disabling the VCM, having the vehicle run on all 6 cylinders prevents many of those problems. It will cost you slightly in fuel economy but for me that is OK. I'd rather have a reliable vehicle running on all cylinders. If Honda covers the Torque Converter, updated the software and changed the fluid 3x you should be okay IF you disable the VCM afterward. Motor mounts will start to squeak or you'll feel more vibration which can be fixed then. If no noises you might be OK for a long time also.

Search in here for S-VCM and VCM Tuner II. Your local mechanic could do it. It's very easy to do yourself if any mechanical inclination. Honda will NOT do it for you.

Update your profile so it shows location when you hover over the flag. There might be a member close to you that could help.

As for the Highlander (and I do like them) read THIS THREAD on hesitant to buy Pilot. My thoughts are in there.

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sequoiasoon said:

The VCM (variable cylinder management) is Honda's fuel saving method that shuts down the back 3 cylinders under listed conditions like light cruise on highway. Shutting those down makes the motor unbalanced. To fix the vibrations Honda has electronic motor mounts that stiffen/soften accordingly. Honda also has the Torque Converter slip through software so you don't feel the transition as much as it turns on and off.

It all actually works very well and lets Honda meet the emission standards. The long term affects are Torque converters and clutches that go bad, motor mounts that go bad, transmission fluid that overheats from the slipping but that is after warranty period. Older VCM on some Honda's has had owners with engine problems that was told they need a motor rebuild for stuck rings because they are jammed with burnt oil and other. For some multiple oil changes (and flush) fixed that with no rebuild after VCM was disabled.

Disabling the VCM, having the vehicle run on all 6 cylinders prevents many of those problems. It will cost you slightly in fuel economy but for me that is OK. I'd rather have a reliable vehicle running on all cylinders. If Honda covers the Torque Converter, updated the software and changed the fluid 3x you should be okay IF you disable the VCM afterward. Motor mounts will start to squeak or you'll feel more vibration which can be fixed then. If no noises you might be OK for a long time also.

Search in here for S-VCM and VCM Tuner II. Your local mechanic could do it. It's very easy to do yourself if any mechanical inclination. Honda will NOT do it for you.

Update your profile so it shows location when you hover over the flag. There might be a member close to you that could help.
Hello. Another question. Still trying to decide what to do with my Pilot. The dealership replaced the torque converter but said nothing about the motor mounts and when I asked, they did not do a transmission fluid change. They last changed it last summer when my transmission overheated. I don't hear any weird noises that you referenced. The dealership suggested I purchase an extended warranty from them (3rd party not Honda) for 4 years/52K miles at $2400. If I keep my pilot, I am considering getting the extended warranty based on all the problems listed here in the forum. If I have the VCM disabled, would that void my warranty in case I decide to buy one? Trying to make the best out of this crappy situation bc I really don't want to buy a new car as I do love my Pilot. But will be looking at Kias and Toyotas this weekend since I have 50 miles left until the end of my drivetrain warranty. I have never bought an extended warranty bc felt it was always a scam. thanks.

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debbieb said:

Hello. Another question. Still trying to decide what to do with my Pilot. The dealership replaced the torque converter but said nothing about the motor mounts and when I asked, they did not do a transmission fluid change. They last changed it last summer when my transmission overheated. I don't hear any weird noises that you referenced. The dealership suggested I purchase an extended warranty from them (3rd party not Honda) for 4 years/52K miles at $2400. If I keep my pilot, I am considering getting the extended warranty based on all the problems listed here in the forum. If I have the VCM disabled, would that void my warranty in case I decide to buy one? Trying to make the best out of this crappy situation bc I really don't want to buy a new car as I do love my Pilot. But will be looking at Kias and Toyotas this weekend since I have 50 miles left until the end of my drivetrain warranty. I have never bought an extended warranty bc felt it was always a scam. thanks.

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sequoiasoon said:

That's an expensive extended warranty and not factory. Real judgement call but I probably wouldn't.

I would definitely do the VCM disable and then do some more tranny fluid changes. Maybe just 2 more at next 2 oil changes. They had to change some with the TC change. Hopefully you won't have any issues.

The VCM disable should hopefully cover most and you have $2400 to work with or invest. Sorry I can't give more help than that. I bought the factory warranty and I'm still concerned about what to do when that expires.

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sequoiasoon said:

VCM totally different then the ECON button. Search on VCM for lots of details here at Piloteers, beware it's a rabbit hole and you can read for hours. ECON will do NOTHING to turn the VCM off.

Either the S-VCM or VCM Tuner II would be good. Yes buy it online, we have links in other threads or just quick google search. S-VCM is out of Canada, that is what I have. Very easy to do. Hardest part is unclipping the wire plug clip from original temperature sensor. Lots of pictures on here with it.

Warranty with VCM disabled? There are post about what others encountered. The technical......if a dealer notices it they might or might not note it in their system. They could then deny a warranty claim saying it directly caused a problem. Then it's their well paid lawyers against my nit so well paid ones to prove it didn't and was not even related. I do most of my own maintenance, if it does need to go shop for warranty or diagnostics, I remove it just in case. If I ever break down on the road (fingers crossed doesn't happen) I can still remove it before tow truck shows up in less than 5 minutes. Mine is covered with the same black split loom as rest of motor so it does not stand out even if looking hard.

The ECON just adjusts throttle input and some other computer setting for transmission so that it makes everything more conservative. You think your stepping on the gas 1/2 way, computer says only do it 1/4-1/3 and let her get to speed slower. She wants to accelerated, don't down shift, let it take longer. It will also adjust your air conditioning to run less to eliminate drag and reduce MPG. Hot days AC doesn't seem to be cold enough? Turn off ECON. It's in the owners manual I think. Maybe not the small quick guide one but the 3 inch thick one you have to order from Honda.

You can search with my name and I have links with how the transmission modes work and react if you are AWD. Search Sand mode and also snow. This thread has links with links to links.

Don't forget to update your profile.

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sequoiasoon said:

Bring it back and tell them you would like the tech to go for a ride with you so you can show and describe what you are feeling. They don't normally like doing that but will if requested. I did that a couple times over the years and even got the "it's normal". I even had them take me for a ride in the same vehicle that was on the lot. Then asked is mine normal or is the other one normal?

They fixed mine afterward.

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