jwbeck17

I have a 2002 Accord SE with 130K on it and the automatic tranny is slipping between 1 & 2. I did an ATF flush, still the same problem. Then I took it to my local dealer, Main Line Honda, and they swapped a pressure switch, but the problem came right back. I'm not a fan of that dealer, as they they made some false claims of other issues that I had checked at one of my preferred mechanics.

Just want to make sure I taking the right next step here. Should I go to my local Monroe or Meineke dealer, as they seem to be a bit more honest? Or due to this being a tranny issue, should i go to a separate Honda dealer entirely? Anyone have any recommendations in the Western Main Line area of Philly?

Thanks!

jdowen2

try Lucas transmission additive

holmesnmanny

try Trans-X

mr500cm

Did you use Honda fluid?

Lanikaibabe

I'm quite happy with Roberts Honda in Downingtown. I feel as if they have been honest with me the entire time I've had my 99 Accord. I'll will purchase my new Civic there. However, I'm also going through transmission issues with my Accord and they told me they don't work on them (especially when it comes to rebuilding) and referred me to Cottman tranmissions in Paoli. I went there yesterday and everyone seemed nice, but I had a weird feeling in my gut to make sure I'm not being taken for a ride.

doctorbee

Notes;

1. use honda ATF instead of generic ATF.
2. do the flush method described here:

if it still doesn't work then bring it to a mechanic.

v4lu3s

i would ask a LOT of questions about transmission work. ask how many Honda automatic transmissions they have done, ask a lot of questions about what they do when it comes back repeatedly, I would call multiple dealerships in see if they'll recommend the same third party shops. the dealer will typically not rebuild your transmission or repair it because of all the problems with those transmissions on rebuilds. you would be purchasing a remanufactured transmission from the dealer and it is probably rebuilt by H&A transmission in California who has a very close relationship with honda of North America.


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jdowen2

It is my understanding that Honda dealerships don't rebuild transmissions, they replace them. Getting yours rebuilt could be a crap shoot. Your problem could be a shift solenoid. A good shop should be able to do a pressure test your transmission.

jwbeck17

Thanks. I did try a bottle of Lucas when I was having the issue originally, but it didn't really make a difference. Had done a flush using the videos as shown as a reference using Honda fluid, but still had problems, and that is when I took it to Main Line Honda, which changed a pressure sensor and swapped the tranny fluid (found out in discussion that they never really flush them, just pour out and refill).

Based on that history, I was leery of trying Lucas again, but I decided to do so on Saturday and used two bottles, as recommended for heavily worn transmissions. It actually shifts a lot better now. It doesn't slip as much and shifts are cleaner. It still hunts for the gear from time to time, but not horribly so. I'll see how it holds throughout the week, but am hopeful. I don't want to do a tranny change on it, as that will cost more than the car is worth, probably!

jwbeck17

Thanks for the local tip. I pass by that Cottman place a lot and wondered about it. I'll keep it in mind, including your gut feeling, as that my be telling you something.

jwbeck17

Great point about tech shift solenoid. If the Lucas stuff doesn't hold for too long, that my be the next check.

Lanikaibabe

Good luck with your transmission. Hubby just put the Lucas into my car today... so I'm also hoping this takes care of the seal leak I have... and allow me to hold on to my car a little longer. I actually did call around to local transmission shops and called my "friend of a friend" that does transmission rebuilds. The friend wanted to charge me around 1900.00 for the rebuild, Cottman in Paoli wanted 2200.00 (roughly) -- however, they will offer a 1 year warranty for it, which the friend of the friend won't. I figure, the few extra hundred is worth the peace of mind. The pricing seems right on the money.... and I'll probably will take it to Cottman in Paoli, IF I GO THAT ROUTE. KBB on my car doesn't make sense to rebuild the tranny.

Civic 2012 may be the way I go... because they're trying to get rid of that model to bring in the Civic 2013 that's been changed a bit from what I hear.

jwbeck17

Some bad news today. Got codes P0700/P0780 today while leaving the train station. Drove better after I got it home, but I suspect those codes are not a good sign. Bad shift solenoid, which may mean a tranny change, which is probably more expensive than the car is worth.

doctorbee

Shift Solenoid Is AN Easy Fix...

jwbeck17

You're right, but to be honest, I jumped to that conclusion, which from further reading may not be the right one. I've heard that the p0780 code is often the dying trans code, where there is no easy way of fixing it apart from a tranny replacement. The code is not specific enough to tell you the issue. I'll have her checked out to give me the damage, then see if I want to pursue or get rid of it.

doctorbee

sucks, you may have to go that route. looks like there was an extended warranty on these trannies 7years/100K miles.

you may want to consider putting in a used tranny from the junkyard

oly488

I have a 2002 Accord SE 4 cyl. Vtech and the transmission has slipped a couple of times in the morning lately when it is cold. Seems to not want to engage solidy when rolling slowly in reverse and shifting into drive. The car has 113,000 miles on it so I'm gong to treat it with TLC and hope for the best. I was at the dealer the other day and told a mechanic I had heard that the trannies from the early 2000's were junk. He said that was not really true for the 4 cylender cars but he said every 6 cylender on the road needs a new transmission.

MAD_MIKE

That code is in regards to an overheated torque converter.
Honda engineers Gnarfled the Garthack and the PV valve below ~1200-1500rpm will over correct and close off the cooler circuit. So the fluid just recirculates inside the transmission cooking the fluid. Anytime ATF gets above 220° it needs to be replaced. Being that such RPMs are easily attainable in stop and go traffic, it is pretty easy to see how the trans will cook itself.

Sonnex makes a PV that will allow proper operation, but this still requires removal and dis-assembly of the transmission to install. At that point the transmission may as well be fully rebuilt.

Call around to independent shops and ask them the basic questions, and what they do and what upgrades, if any, they install. Some 're-builders' just replace clutch paks/seals and TCs. But don't update the transmission to newer specs.
Sing with me.
[chorus]
Bull-sheet...
Bull-sheit...
Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit.
[/chorus]

The six cylinder cars just ate the transmission in 30-60K miles, the 4 cylinders took twice as long, so 60-120K. The more powerful V6 just exacerbated the problem, that's all.

revemoto

In my experience with Honda transmissions around the mileage you have it is a good bet that you will need to get the transmission replaced. I did a shift solenoid replacement on my transmission which temporary fixed the issue but a few weeks later it came back. The P07 code also says to change the hose since the pressure is low, but then again that does not work. I would just get a used transmission with around 50,000 miles on it or get it rebuilt for around 1500-2000. Anyways good luck on your issue.