[mattzel]

Hi
My wife has a 17 Ex with 45,000 miles. While on the highway driving she got a transmission system warning pop on the dash with a flashing D and P. When the car shuts off it goes away and I was able to get the warning to come back up on the highway again at about 65 mph. Car feels and drives fine. No apparent issues other than the warnings. I have a code reader but it says no codes found. Plan to take to dealer in am. Hope it’s covered under power train and hopefully nothing major. Just wanted to see if anyone else had similar.

 

[Mcmanut02]

Sounds like one of the transmission pressure switches may be acting up and need to be replaced. If so, it’s an easy fix.

 

[mattzel]

Sounds like one of the transmission pressure switches may be acting up and need to be replaced. If so, it’s an easy fix.

Thanks. Fingers crossed. It’s a good sign that it drives perfectly fine.

 

[aggrex]

It’s a good sign that it drives perfectly fine.

Agree it's a good sign especially since the trans functions fine. Get the trans fluid serviced too.

 

[mattzel]

Dealer said that it had a code for a torque converter solenoid. Not sure how bad this is. They said first step is to do the transmission fluid.

 

[mattzel]

dealer said that it had a code for a torque converter solenoid. not sure how bad this is. they said first step is to do the transmission fluid.

Dealer called back. Needs a new transmission. Its covered obviously but I am still shocked. Drove fine and only 45,000 miles

 

[boom]

Wow. The EX has a 6-speed tranny. I wonder what failed to the point you need a new tranny?

What is it with Honda and their trannies?

 

[mattzel]

Wow. The EX has a 6-speed tranny. I wonder what failed to the point you need a new tranny?

What is it with Honda and their trannies?

I know. All they told me was the code was for the torque converter solenoid and that they would change the fluid. Three hours later they said spoke to Honda tech and it’s an internal failure and they will replace entire transmission and got me a rental. Glad under warranty. But still disconcerting. Especially since I also have a v6 accord with 85k.....

 

[Arzenmaster]

2018 EXL 6 spd transmission problem, 4th to 5th gear...

Back up and running, as promised. No obvious exterior evidence or defects on the old transmission. The TC doesn't look burnt or overheated, maybe somebody who knows more might see it differently. The only thing that I saw was some minor corrosion on the trans case mating surface . maybe...

www.piloteers.org

We have an 18 EXL, very similar experience, except I had to foot the bill to replace the tranny.

I also posted a poll on the above tag to see just how many people have had 6 speed transmissions replaced or repaired.

 

[mattzel]

My only question is can I be confident in the car with a remanufactured transmission once it goes past 60k and it’s no longer covered. I’d really hate to have to trade the thing in but I don’t want to be hesitant to take long family trips in it.

 

[the_dude]

2018 EXL 6 spd transmission problem, 4th to 5th gear...

Back up and running, as promised. No obvious exterior evidence or defects on the old transmission. The TC doesn't look burnt or overheated, maybe somebody who knows more might see it differently. The only thing that I saw was some minor corrosion on the trans case mating surface . maybe...

www.piloteers.org

We have an 18 EXL, very similar experience, except I had to foot the bill to replace the tranny.

I also posted a poll on the above tag to see just how many people have had 6 speed transmissions replaced or repaired.

Not covered by the warranty for some reason?

 

[Arzenmaster]

No warranty coverage, because of a reconstructed title. We had 2 passenger doors replaced due to minor side impact.

 

[aggrex]

My only question is can I be confident in the car with a remanufactured transmission once it goes past 60k and it’s no longer covered. I’d really hate to have to trade the thing in but I don’t want to be hesitant to take long family trips in it.

Not much you can do for confidence besides good proactive trans maintenance with OEM Honda fluids assuming its currently running well. One can only hope the trans was rebuilt and installed correctly.

 

[mattzel]

Not much you can do for confidence besides good proactive trans maintenance with OEM Honda fluids assuming its currently running well. One can only hope the trans was rebuilt and installed correctly.

Thanks. Well it ran well even with the warning lights so we will see when I get it back. I have 15,000 left on powertrain so should be able to get a good feel

 

[Arzenmaster]

My only question is can I be confident in the car with a remanufactured transmission once it goes past 60k and it’s no longer covered. I’d really hate to have to trade the thing in but I don’t want to be hesitant to take long family trips in it.

Unless our drivetrain failures are caused by a design prone to failure, instead of isolated manufacturing, parts, or installation errors, the remanufactured transmissions should be a better product than the one that it left the factory with.

Apparently there are 3rd generation 6 speed transmissions out there with high mileage, used for light towing, and are still going strong. A design flaw, causing our failures? I don't know, but probably not.

Assuming the aforementioned statement is correct, once you get past the maintenance induced mechanical infant mortality period, the transmission should outlast a factory installed one, assuming proper preventative maintenance. The trans should benefit, by lessons learned from previous failures, and should have any updates that have been developed since the car originally left the factory with.

ALERT: CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT TO FOLLOW; In casual research of DW-1 trans fluid, I am becoming more and more convinced that the DW-1 fluid is inferior from the start, at least for the 3rd gen Pilot. DW-1 cannot be reliably assumed to be a synthetic base fluid, I have seen bottles marked full synthetic, and the stuff I just bought, makes no mention of composition. The parts counter told me it is in fact dead dinosaurs (Non Synthetic). In a transmission well known to be prone to overheat issues, its incredulous to think that Honda would be using a non-synthetic trans fluid such as DW-1. That being said, using DW-1, I do not plan on following the MM fluid change schedule. Changing fluids more frequently becomes critical depending on operating conditions. I'm probably looking at cutting the mileage between changes in half, thus doubling the frequency of fluid changes. I also installed an OEM trans cooler. (Incredibly, the 3rd gen Pilot does not have one built into the radiator.)

 

[mattzel]

Just got it back. Part came in this morning and transmission replaced today. Paperwork said the code was P0741. Test drove it for awhile. Seems to drive the same as before! Hopefully it’s the last issue we have!

 

[Lstruz44]

dealer called back. needs a new transmission. its covered obviously but i am still shocked. drove fine and only 45,000 miles

Was this covered by the warranty, same thing just happened to my 2017 ex with 41k miles

 

[Lstruz44]

Was this covered by warranty? Just happened to my 2017 pilot ex with 41k miles

 

[STMech]

Just got it back. Part came in this morning and transmission replaced today. Paperwork said the code was P0741. Test drove it for awhile. Seems to drive the same as before! Hopefully it’s the last issue we have!

I had the same issue on 2018 EX-L. We purchased the Pilot used with 58k miles. Transmission system problem flashed on display when I set cruise control at 65 mph. P0741 diagnostic code, just like you had. Dealer changed out ATF, said it's fixed. Problem repeated about one hour into a 3 hour drive. Again, at 65 mph in cruise. I could see by the wavering tach needle, that the torque converter lockup was slipping at 65 mph. Honda replaced the torque converter under warranty.

I am convinced that this is the result of the VCM system, which plays the lockup clutch back and forth as it tries to smooth out the vibrations of VCM. Excessive wear and premature failure of the torque converter lockup clutch is the result. At 58k miles, my torque converter was shot. By the way, my service rep had to delay repair almost 2 weeks, because Honda has a nationwide shortage of torque converters. Maybe because VCM is eating them up?

I just ordered an S-VCM unit, so I can disable this function. Just sayin--

 

[STMech]

My only question is can I be confident in the car with a remanufactured transmission once it goes past 60k and it’s no longer covered. I’d really hate to have to trade the thing in but I don’t want to be hesitant to take long family trips in it.

I would suggest that you install a VCM disabling device. Honda has admitted that the VCM system is able to cycle the torque converter lockup clutch and allow a certain amount of slip, in order to smooth out vibrations. My theory is that this excessive cycling causes the clutch to wear out prematurely. Sometimes in the warranty period, and sometimes not.

I just ordered S-VCM for my 2018 EX-L. There are other devices out there as well.