davidc

I've got a 2004 TL with about 140,000mi. About 10,000 mi on a "new" rebuilt tranny from H&A Transmissions in Fontana, CA. This is one of the companies that American Honda uses to supply it's dealers with tranny's.

I do know that one of the solenoids was replaced immediately after the install when I had shifting problems. I don't know which solenoid it was.

Yesterday, while on the freeway, it started shifting funny. With slight increase in throttle it would abruptly downshift into either second or third. Over the next ten miles this would happen more frequently. A couple of times I know it shifted into 2nd at about 60mph since the wheels locked.

Each shift was with partial increase in throttle, and each shift lasted only about a 1/4 second.

Got off the freeway, and checked the tranny fluid level. With my color deficiency, it's hard to tell, but it appeared to be low. Color was red, and no burt smell, but I didn't hold it to my nose.

Added about a half quart, at least I figured that's about what got in there with my bad aim (there's got to be a way to add fluid a little easier).

Drove on surface streets for about 10 miles, noticed it may have free revved a little, chose a few wrong gears, and finally got stuck in 2nd. Switching to manual didn't make a difference. The tranny light on the dash then started blinking.

Parked the car at the wedding we went to for a couple hrs. When driving the next 50 miles, the shifting wasn't quite right, but not real abrupt downshifts like before, and wasn't stuck in 2nd.

Parked the car another couple hrs, and on the next 40 mile drive home, it shifted normal, and the tranny light stopped blinking.

Got home, pulled the codes, and I had a:

P0957 Auto Shift Manual Mode Circuit Low

P0747 Pressure Control Solenoid "A" Stuck On

So, the solenoid isn't very expensive. Is it easy for a backyard mechanic to replace? About how long? And is it the likely source of my symptoms?

Thanks everyone!