syclonedan

i have a 97 civic ex 2dr coupe that has developed a transmission problem.
The torque convertor will not lock up but it shifts fine and does not slip.
It throws a couple codes p0700 which is a generic transmission control code and p0740 which is tcc lock up solenoid circuit open.
I have tested the shift and tcc solenoid and they both test fine the restiance is where it should be and all four of them click when 12 volts is applied. i have also thoughly cleaned both of them. i was thinking about rigging up a swicth to send 12 volts to the tcc solenoids but i dont understand y there are two solenoids and i am afraid to just turn both of them on. I am kinda stuck i dont know where to go from here and i dont know enough about honda automatics. is it possible the torque converter is bad or even the whole transmission?
Will driving it like this blow the transmission up like a chevy transmision?
So where do i go from here ???

syclonedan

does nobody here know anything about automatics??

Vindicator9000

Bump for you. I wish you luck, but the vast majority of the h-t Civic forum people drive manuals only. We really don't see a lot of automatic questions.

It really does sound like you have an open connection somewhere in the circuit, based on the fact that you can get the solenoids to click under power.

Really, I don't know much about Honda automatics either, I'm just speculating. If having a factory service manual will help, let me know, and I'll PM you a link. They have wiring diagrams that could help you trace where the short might be, as well as testing flowcharts for all of the trouble codes.

syclonedan

yes the factory service manual would be great and i really would perfer a manual but they are hard as hell to find here in wichtia that havent been runied by some 16 year old kid that doesnt really know anything about cars.
Any ideas on about just putting a swicth on the solenoids like in the old days and only engaing it in 4th gear when it is supposed to lock up anyway??

Vindicator9000

PM'ed manual link.

I don't see why you can't add a switch to manually trip the lockup - people do it in the Jeep world all the time. But, I don't know which of the two solenoids actually does it. Hopefully you can get that out of the manual.

Manual transmission Civics are a bit hard to find sometimes... you'd think from reading honda-tech that they never made ANY automatics, but from my trips to the junkyard, it seems like the majority were automatics. And manuals definitely tend to be more ricey and raped out.

People do manual conversions all the time, and it's not *that* hard or expensive, but it might not be worth your while.

syclonedan

yeah i am thinking if i can't get the auto to wok right i will just do a swap i got a buddy with a wrecked 4 door 98 so i could get the pedals and **** but it got hit so hard the tranmission case cracked otherwise i wouldnt even be working on the automatic. i did just wire the solenoid to 12 volts to day on a swicth and the converter still doesnt lock so i decided to change the fluid. it was some nasty **** i didnt drive it yet i hope this remdies the problem.

Vindicator9000

That can make a difference.

I change the auto transmission fluid in my CRV about once a year because it doesn't like to shift right on old fluid.

Datsmart

You might check the temperature sending unit.
Mine will not go to lock-up until it reaches a few marks up on the temp gauge.

syclonedan

where is the transmisson temp sending unit??

Datsmart

There is no "transmisson temp sending unit", I mentioned the regular temperature sending unit.
Your trans control gets a signal from the engine temp unit that the car is warm enough to go into torque converter lock up mode. Sounds like that signal is not getting there. Not sure where to look beyond that.

RedHatch00

there is a sensor on top of the automatic transmission. if you are looking at the distributor its below that connected with 2 10mm bolts. you can take it out and clean it or replace it. that should clear your code

Former User

If the line pressure is fine and you replaced the lock up control solenoid, then the transmission may be toast.