Ok, had shifting issues tonight. Barely made it home, flashing D and CEL upon pulling into driveway. Codes are P0780 and P1735. I check transmission dipstick and fluid is right at the bottom of the XXXs. It’s brown and yes it smells burnt. I did a drain and flush a few thousand miles ago along with filter so this is shocking. I then jack up the car and see what appears to be trans fluid leaking out of this small shell piece with 3 bolts. It’s still very hot so I have left it for now. Can someone tell me what this shell piece is? And if it is indeed removable? If so, is this known to leak? What can I expect to find upon removing it?
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AWD
Transmission Issues UPDATE 03/20/24
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Ok, had shifting issues tonight. Barely made it home, flashing D and CEL upon pulling into driveway. Codes are P0780 and P1735. I check transmission dipstick and fluid is right at the bottom of the XXXs. It’s brown and yes it smells burnt. I did a drain and flush a few thousand miles ago along with filter so this is shocking. I then jack up the car and see what appears to be trans fluid leaking out of this small shell piece with 3 bolts. It’s still very hot so I have left it for now. Can someone tell me what this shell piece is? And if it is indeed removable? If so, is this known to leak? What can I expect to find upon removing it?
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Ouch. There is a wrecked Element in a local junkyard. Probably had a good transmission when it went in the ditch. Or, on the up side, you have the chance to rebuild your transmission. I know that is not a good option if you need this car to get to work, but we all could learn a lot...
Just draining the transmission, I needed over 5 quarts to refill it. Hopefully it is something easy.
Just draining the transmission, I needed over 5 quarts to refill it. Hopefully it is something easy.
I don’t need the car to work. It’s our third car and sits often in the garage. I am thinking I will need to get someone to rebuild the transmission, or replace. Whichever is cheaper.
I think a used one will be cheaper. I parted out an Acura CL type S recently, and sold the automatic to a guy who needed one for his TL of the same year. He'd gotten a quote to rebuild his...$7200 including re & re🤢
Just a got a quote from my local Honda dealer to put in a used transmission with 109k, along with replacing rear main seal, and axle seals. Price is $5140 out the door.
Man. I'm in the wrong business lol.
Seriously though it will get you a usable element for 5k. As it sits, you have a yard ornament.
Seriously though it will get you a usable element for 5k. As it sits, you have a yard ornament.
It looks like the going rate for a compatible used transmission is around $1500 and up. Seems they are hard to find with low mileage.
Well I really don't blame him and it is a chance. Maybe I just got lucky but the one in my daughter's car has been great. I guess it really comes down to money.
What does it mean to ‘beef up’ a transmission? Does anyone know if this can be done with the Element auto transmission?
Looking at the '03 parts listings ( Select Parts Category - 2003 Honda Element | Majestic Honda Automotive Parts), there are differences in the differential - there is another gear for the bevel drive, and the torque converter case - can't tell from the illustration. On the rest of the parts Honda doesn't call out FWD or AWD.
The differential is part of the transmission, but unless there is a problem with it (not likely), it would be reused in a rebuild.
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So I got a third quote today. $3000 cash to have current transmission rebuilt. This guy seemed to be very knowledgeable. He seemed surprised my current transmission even made it to 205k. This guy claims we have a second filter inside the auto transmission. Can anyone verify this? Shop wasn’t fancy but it looked like the experience is there. I don’t know if I can get much better value 3k to do a rebuild.
There's another filter but it's not a service item the way other transmissions have a replaceable screen and a transmission pan. If you recall the underside of your transmission, there's no pan - the case has to come apart. I vaguely remember it when looking at the diagram for my acura transaxle.
I wouldn't expect an internal filter to clog so fast that the transmission goes from working one day to not working the next. The internal strainer is item #7.
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According to the manual, the filter is in the back of the torque converter housing, inside the main transmission housing. it would be a big job to get to it. There is also a note to clean the trans oil cooler when rebuilding or replacing the transmission.
Was there a lot of debris in the oil that came out of the transmission ?
Was there a lot of debris in the oil that came out of the transmission ?
I don’t know how to move forward guys. I have spoken to 5 shops at this point. Two shops would not give me a quote and communicated that they can’t give a quote until they open up the trans which would cost $700 diagnostics fee (which would go towards the final bill). Both these shops suggested I may not need a whole trans rebuild and they can simply fix the parts that are broken. But the problem is I will feel beholden to move forward with either shop because they will have my car and I will already be $700 in the hole… Also, complicating matters further is I will need to have my car towed to the shop. The other three quotes range from $3-5200 to have my auto trans rebuilt or replaced. The cheapest quote was for $3000 to have my auto trans rebuilt but he only offers a 6 month warranty and $3k was cash price. The main problem is I don’t really trust any of these guys. A few of them seem nice and claim they are honest. But they are all in the business to make money. I wish I had a transmission mechanic who I could really trust.
Was there any noise before it stopped working? Put a pressure gauge in one of the lines to see if there is fluid pressure. At the radiator would probably be easier. Since it wont move either direction its possible you broke the flex plate and the engine isnt turning the torque converter. Ive broke a few chevy plates but never a honda. It is possible though.
Would be a lot cheaper if you could pull the trans and just take it to a shop.
Im being honest here, Id have to try a JDM trans. Mostly because of the money
Would be a lot cheaper if you could pull the trans and just take it to a shop.
Im being honest here, Id have to try a JDM trans. Mostly because of the money
Most real JDM are under 100K because of the laws in Japan but I understand not everybody is honest and its always a chance.
I have to agree with most of whats on K20A about the added torque and swapping to a manual but it did make it to over 200K Im guessing your not one that beats on your element .
There are upgraded torque converters and clutch packs out there and if money isnt an object Id rebuild it. Thats a lot of cash for a 4spd auto.
I have to agree with most of whats on K20A about the added torque and swapping to a manual but it did make it to over 200K Im guessing your not one that beats on your element .
There are upgraded torque converters and clutch packs out there and if money isnt an object Id rebuild it. Thats a lot of cash for a 4spd auto.
Thanks this is helpful. Are the 03 04 auto transmissions the same as the 05? I vaguely remember reading on this forum that they are different and that is why Ktuner will not work for 03 and 04 auto Element transmissions….
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