Acura RL. Manual - part 212



Inspect the transmission range 
switch (see 
TRANSMISSION RANGE 
SWITCH TEST ).  

When you press the paddle 
shifter + (upshift switch) in M, 
the transmission does not upshift 
gears

A problem in the paddle shifter + 
(upshift switch) circuit

Check the paddle shifter + (upshift 
switch) circuit (see PADDLE 
SHIFTER + (UPSHIFT 
SWITCH) CIRCUIT 
TROUBLESHOOTING ).

When you press the paddle 
shifter - (downshift switch) in M, 
the transmission does not 
downshift gears

A problem in the paddle shifter - 
(downshift switch) circuit

Check the paddle shifter - 
(downshift switch) circuit (see 
PADDLE SHIFTER - 
(DOWNSHIFT SWITCH) 
CIRCUIT 
TROUBLESHOOTING ).

Shift lever cannot be moved 
from P while you are pressing on 
the brake pedal



Accelerator pedal position 
sensor circuit  



Accelerator pedal position 
sensor defective  



Brake pedal position switch 
circuit  



Brake pedal position switch 
defective  



Shift lock solenoid 
defective  



Shift lock solenoid control 
circuit  



Shift lock mechanism 
defective  



Throttle body defective  



Transmission range switch 
ATP P switch stuck OFF  



Transmission range switch 
ATP P switch line opened  



Inspect the APP sensor signal 
(see APP SENSOR SIGNAL 
INSPECTION ).  



Troubleshoot the shift lock 
system circuit (see SHIFT 
LOCK 
SYSTEM/REVERSE 
LOCK SYSTEM CIRCUIT 
TROUBLESHOOTING ).  



Test the shift lock solenoid 
(see SHIFT LOCK 
SOLENOID TEST ).  



Inspect the transmission range 
switch (see 
TRANSMISSION RANGE 
SWITCH TEST ).  

Shift lever cannot pass through R 
from N

A problem in the reverse lock 
system of the interlock system

Check the interlock system - reverse 
lock system circuit (see SHIFT 
LOCK SYSTEM/REVERSE 
LOCK SYSTEM CIRCUIT 
TROUBLESHOOTING ).

Ignition switch cannot be moved 
from ACCESSORY (1) to 
LOCK (0) (key is pushed in, the 
shift lever in P)

A problem in the key interlock 
system of the interlock system

Check the interlock system - key 
interlock system circuit (see KEY 
INTERLOCK SYSTEM 
CIRCUIT 

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 1:18:10 PM

Page 19 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

TROUBLESHOOTING ).

HDS does not communicate with 
the PCM or the vehicle

DLC circuit

Troubleshoot the DLC circuit; '05-
07 models (see '05-07 MODELS ), 
'08 model (see '08 MODEL ).

Engine runs, but vehicle does not 
move in any gear

1. Low ATF level  

2. Shift cable broken or out of 

adjustment  

3. Connection between shift 

cable and transmission or 
body is worn  

4. ATF pump worn or binding 

5. Regulator valve stuck or 

spring worn  

6. ATF strainer clogged  

7. Mainshaft worn or damaged 

8. Final gears worn or 

damaged  

9. Park mechanism defective  

10. Transmission-to-engine 

assembly error  

11. Axle disengaged  



Check the ATF level and 
check the ATF cooler lines for 
leakage and loose 
connections. If necessary, 
clean the ATF cooler lines.  



Check for a loose shift cable 
at the shift lever and the 
transmission control lever.  



Improper alignment of the 
ATF pump and the torque 
converter housing may cause 
the ATF pump seizure. The 
symptoms are mostly an rpm-
related ticking noise or a high 
pitched squeak.  



Check the line pressure.  



Check the ATF strainer for 
debris. If the strainer is 
clogged, find the damaged 
components that caused the 
debris.  



Inspect the differential pinion 
gears for wear. If the 
differential pinion gears are 
worn, replace the differential 
assembly, replace the ATF 
strainer, and thoroughly clean 
the transmission, and clean 
the cooler and lines. Replace 
the torque converter.  



Be careful not to damage the 
torque converter housing 
when replacing the main ball 
bearing. You may also 
damage the ATF pump when 
you torque down the main 
valve body. This will result in 
ATF pump seizure if not 
detected. Use the proper tools. 



Install the main seal flush 
with the torque converter 

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 1:18:10 PM

Page 20 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

housing. If you push it into 
the torque converter housing 
until it bottoms out, it will 
block the fluid return passage 
and result in damage.  

Vehicle moves in R, but not in 
D, D3, or 1st in M

1. 1st accumulator defective  

2. Idler gears worn or 

damaged  

3. 1st clutch defective  



Check the 1st clutch pressure. 



Inspect the secondary shaft 
and 1st/1st-hold the clutch 
assembly for wear and 
damage.  



Inspect the clutch piston, 
clutch piston check valve, and 
the O-rings. Check the spring 
retainer for wear and damage. 
Inspect the clearance between 
the clutch end-plate and the 
top disc. If the clearance is out 
of tolerance, inspect the clutch 
discs and plates for wear and 
damage, and inspect the 
clutch wave-plate height. If 
the discs and flat-plates are 
worn or damaged, replace the 
discs and flat-plates as a set. If 
the wave-plate height is out of 
tolerance, replace the wave-
plate. If the discs and plates 
are OK, adjust the clearance 
with the clutch end-plate.  

Vehicle moves in D, D3, and R, 
but not in 1st in M

1. 1st-hold accumulator 

defective  

2. 1st-hold clutch defective  



Check the 1st-hold clutch 
pressure.  



Inspect the secondary shaft 
and 1st/1st-hold clutch 
assembly for wear and 
damage.  



Inspect the clutch piston, 
clutch piston check valve, and 
the O-rings. Check the spring 
retainer for wear and damage. 
Inspect the clearance between 
the clutch end-plate and the 
top disc. If the clearance is out 
of tolerance, inspect the clutch 
discs and plates for wear and 
damage, and inspect the 

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 1:18:10 PM

Page 21 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

clutch wave-plate height. If 
the discs and the flat-plates 
are worn or damaged, replace 
the discs and the flat-plates as 
a set. If the wave-plate height 
is out of tolerance, replace the 
wave-plate. If the discs and 
the plates are OK, adjust the 
clearance with the clutch end-
plate.  

Vehicle moves in D, D3, and R, 
but not in 2nd in M

1. 2nd accumulator defective  

2. 2nd clutch defective  



Check the 2nd clutch 
pressure.  



Inspect the secondary shaft 
and the 2nd clutch assembly 
for wear and damage.  



Inspect the clutch piston, 
clutch piston check valve, and 
the O-rings. Check the spring 
retainer for wear and damage. 
Inspect the clearance between 
the clutch end-plate and the 
top disc. If the clearance is out 
of tolerance, inspect the clutch 
discs and plates for wear and 
damage, and inspect the 
clutch wave-plate height. If 
the discs and flat-plates are 
worn or damaged, replace the 
discs and flat-plates as a set. If 
the wave-plate height is out of 
tolerance, replace the wave-
plate. If the discs and plates 
are OK, adjust the clearance 
with the clutch end-plate.  

Vehicle moves in D, D3, and M, 
but not in R (or moves forward 
in R)

1. Shift fork shaft stuck  

2. Modulator valve defective  

3. Reverse CPC valve 

defective  

4. 5th accumulator defective  

5. 5th clutch defective  

6. Reverse gears worn or 

damaged  



Check the line pressure and 
the 5th clutch pressure.  



Check for a missing shift fork 
bolt on the shift fork shaft.  



Check the ATF strainer for 
debris. If the ATF strainer is 
clogged with particles of steel 
or aluminum, inspect the ATF 
pump. If the ATF pump is 
OK, find the damaged 
components that caused the 

 

2007 Acura RL 

2005-08 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - RL

  

me 

 

Friday, June 05, 2009 1:18:10 PM

Page 22 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.