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V6 Active Control Engine Mounts & Vibration

15K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  Dave I  
#1 · (Edited)
Has anyone who brought their V6 TLX to the shop to have the highway-speed vibration fixed had anything done to the Active Control engine mounts? I was browsing the Power Train section of the 2018 TLX Honda Press Kit and read the following:
" V6 Active Control Engine Mounts and Active Sound Control
A powerful 28-volt Active Control Engine Mount system (ACM) is used to minimize the effects of engine vibration as the VCM system switches cylinders on and off. Sensors alert the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to direct ACM actuators positioned at the front and rear of the engine to cancel engine vibration using a reverse-phase motion. In the cabin of the TLX, an Active Sound Control (ASC) system further mitigates low frequency noise that can occur during 3-cylinder operation. "
I now wonder if the programming of the reverse-phase motion could be the culprit. Maybe other harmonics or influences not experienced during R&D are at play in the real world.
In my experience, when it happens, the vibration does not always occur with the same intensity, although I am traveling at the same speeds on the same roads. Interestingly, the frequency of the vibration does not change in sync with the wheel speed, but more slowly. It seems to be linked to the engine speed, which in any of the overdrive gears, 5th through 9th, a smaller relative change in engine speed would be expected with a greater change in wheel speed.
Replacing tires, either with the same brand or a different brand, tire pressure adjustments, road force balancing and even changing transaxle mount and rear subframe bushings haven't completely cured what is ailing us.

Has any service representative, technologist or Honda engineer examined the engine mount system as a possible cause of the vibration? If not, perhaps anyone who has been pursuing this issue, having had other attempted remedies fail, should consider bringing this possibility to the attention of Honda.
 
#4 ·
If you look here and in other forums, you'll see that engine mounts have been looked at. I've seen at least one case where the engine mounts were replaced. The owner said it helped. The issue is others have had various suspension parts changed, drive shaft, tires etc which also may or may not help the issue. Others have had no issues at all. I guess what I'm saying is I don't think there has been one specific fix that resolves the problem. I do think engine mounts are a big part of the issue. I just don't think enough people have had Acura agree to replace them to have a definite answer.
 
#6 ·
I have had the engine mounts replaced on my '16 SH-AWD. It didn't change the vibration at all. They took off the back two axles; also no change to the vibration. They did the drive shaft TSB. No change. They tried three different sets of tires. You guessed it, no change. They drove it on the highway in Sport+ mode and downshifted to disable the VCM. Still no change. I haven't been able to get them to try disabling the VCM altogether to see if that changes anything. That may be my next thing to get them to try. They are supposed to be flying an Acura engineer in to assess my car and see if they can narrow down a fix for this well known issue. If you guys have heard of anything else that has been done that actually works, let me know.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I have a 15' TLX V6 and have had issues with the VCM vibration since day 1.

Issues Experienced:
- Recently had constant vibration while on cruise control @ 60 mph and no incline for 2 miles straight.
- Estimate that about 40% of my total drive time (Stop and go mainly) I can feel the vibration kicking in and out. It happens at steady acceleration and also while maintaining consistent speed.
- Typically vibration always happens between 1400-1500 RPM's.
- I always drive in Sport mode, which is where the issues I am describing are coming from, but it is worse in Normal mode.
- Only time it doesn’t do it is when I am driving 70 mph or over.
- I also have noticed the shifting is not smooth as it surges sometimes, has jerky shifting in gears 1-3,
- There have been a few times where I have to step on it to merge into 70 mph traffic and it gets confused and down shifts too much causing it to redline and lose power to accelerate. This is a pretty serious issue as it has caught me off guard a few times.

Service Visit #: I've brought the car into service 4 times so far in 1.5 years and here is what has been done to date with none of them working to minimize the vibration or fix the issue.
1. Followed a TSB and replaced rear engine mount
2. Followed a TSB and did software updates and performed an idle learn
3. Counter measure repair: replaced upper bolt on the side engine bracket and replaced bushings on the transmission mount.
4. Service unplugged the VCM module and we took it for a test drive to see if it would still produce the vibration. After a 5 minute test drive it drove without any issues. However, I was then told there was no other fix that they could do and that the vibration I was experiencing was "normal behavior." I told them that they acknowledged that there was a clear issue on visit 1 and 2 so it doesn't make sense that they would now tell me that it is "normal" and they can't do anything about it.

Today: I am currently working with Acura Client Relations (1-800-382-2238) and escalating the issue as high as I can. I am also working with the dealership to see if their Acura rep can meet with me and take it for a test drive to identify the issues and recommend a solution. If they are not able to fix the issue or offer a buy back or trade up deal then I am going to persue the lemon law (MN). I've told them that i would be happy to spend more money and upgrade to the RDX or MDX as long as they meet me in the middle. We will see how that works out in the next couple of weeks.

I seriously hope that they find a fix for this. Not only does it make me hate driving my car, it will seriously impact the resale value of it as well with the current issues.
 
#9 ·
It sounds like a VCMuzzler II would solve your issues.
It won't correct the actual problem, but just disable the VCM that appears to be causing your vibrations.
I wonder if Acura would sign off on buying one of these for you and not voiding your warranty because of it?
I believe the only real downside would be that you may lose some fuel economy.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post this (Mods please remove if I'm not) but here are some FAQs on a Honda Odyssey Forum
VCMuzzler II for disabling VCM - FAQ's
 
#8 ·
Hi Brandon,

Got the exact same issue. Met with Acura engineer, he did test my car twice, did road test with him and a mechanic from the dealer and they both acknowledge the issue. They then change tires for the third times in 9 months and they perform a " road force balancing " still have the vibration issue and thay are now telling me it is " Normal Behavior '' . Unfortunately, no lemon law in Canada. Will have to hire a lawyer.

Too bad that Acura do not care about their customers. After 35 years owning Honda cars this is unacceptable.

People should post their problem on social networks.

Thanks