[2.2Lude]

Sounds like the common Drive by wire complaint. I hate that on/off the throttle feeling too, aside from switching to a cable driven set up, getting Flashpro and setting the TB values to match input and actual values is your only fix. Basically your pushing the throttle X% but the DBW system is only having the TB open at Y%.

Edit: You could try replacing your APP sensor like some have, but It did nothing for me.

 

[2.2Lude]

You can have Flashpro remotely tuned via an eTune from Vitviper or have a local tuning shop dyno tune the set up. Usual cost of dyno tuning is $200/hour and I believe a full eTune is around $250 total.

Sesty: Your lucky you have a 07 already with proper ECU, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up Flashpro and have the car eTuned.

 

[2.2Lude]

I am learning to adjust my driving to how sensitive / twitchy the throttle is at low speeds, but I bought this car planning to use it to teach my teenagers how to drive a stick shift, thinking it'd be an EASY car to start with.

This behavior is totally killing that plan for me, unless and until I can improve it.

For example, Lesson One is usually about letting out the clutch slowly until it can roll on its own, even without any throttle; but on my new-to-me TSX, doing so (at least while cold on first start - I think it's better when the engine is fully warm) often results in a violent back-and-forth rocking. I have to give it some gas, while also slipping the clutch, to get it to be smooth.

Lesson Two is usually "give it some gas while releasing the clutch", but this car seems very sensitive at low speeds, even a relatively light depression on the gas pedal and it's revving up to 3-4K. I have to really, really be light on the throttle to get it to take off slowly. Or slip the clutch, which is already something beginners tend to do too much.

Lol I feel you on this bud, just be prepared for some real frustration. I'm currently teaching my GF how to drive stick on the TSX and it is a nightmare. The car just doesn't respond even though shes doing everything as I'm instructing, I can tell she's starting to become really discouraged.

I learned on my 4th Prelude 10 years ago and that was a breeze, I really do miss cable driven throttle bodies. Anyway good luck!

 

[2.2Lude]

Well, I spent some time driving the TSX around tonight and here's my impression of what's going on:

The "jerkiness" comes from some kind of residual or delayed throttle action. In any gear, but it's most noticeable at low speeds in low gear, if I lift my foot completely off of the gas pedal - but without touching the clutch or the brakes - and the tach at 2K or higher, and the RPMs don't drop right away. In fact, they dip slightly, then go back UP again, then drop as expected. In first gear, it even goes up, down, back up, and then finally down for good. This is not due to going over bumps or anything: I was on level ground.

I would think this suggests something to do with the APP sensor, but I had that replaced already as a first try to fix this (unless the shop didn't do it right, or lied about doing it...?).

If it were the engine mounts being loose, would it have the same effect? I do also notice the disengage/re-engage feeling when I go over a bump in the road, though I always attributed that to the bump itself causing my foot on the gas pedal to flutter.

That article I linked to earlier - which was from a posting on [a website this one apparently insists on asterisking out - A-zine] - said "cleaning the throttle body valve by spraying cleaner into that area of the throttle body", replacing what he found to be "broken front and side motor mounts", and finally replacing the APP sensor, worked wonders. At the end of doing all three, the poster said "...the car now drives & accelerates perfectly. Just like a non-drive by wire vehicle. I can make the car crawl at very slow speeds with exact precision."

So it must be possible, and I refuse to accept otherwise!

I may have done the APP sensor change already (or not), but given that my car is almost 10 years old with 135K+ miles on it, I could believe the engine mounts are worn, especially if it's been a bit herky jerky for much of that time :/.

Last comment - my car came with Hondata Flashpro, the full monty, so if reprogramming the ECU is something that can be done, I've got the means to do so (if not the expertise). But I guess I'd have to take it to a tuner to do that.

I really think you should just look into getting the car eTuned to $250 before you start throwing money at mounts + labor to replace them if you aren't doing the work yourself. At worst your going to have much more enjoyable car and at best it'll fix all the issues your having.

Word of advice on cleaning the TB be very gentle and DO NOT OPEN THE PLATE BY HAND! The DBW sensor on TB does not like when you touch the plate without its permission and can very easily go bad, then you get the pleasure of driving with even shittier characteristics until you get a new TB. Go ahead and ask me how I know this. The proper method of cleaning the plate is by propping the accelerator pedal down with something to keep the throttle plate open.