Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

i have an 2004 honda civic DX/VP automatic and starts up great, idles good. you put it in gear no slipping just wont pull the car like the solenoids wont en-gauge the transmission. i've posted before and thought the problem went away now its back. what do i do???

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Have you done a transmission fluid change recently?

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

yes fluid looked good, no metal in fluid

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Symptom:
- Engine runs but vehicle does not move in any gear.

Possible causes:
- Low ATF level
- Shift cable broken or out of adjustment
- Joint in shift cable and transmission or body worn
- ATF pump worn or binding
- Regulator valve stuck or spring worn
- ATF strainer clogged
- Mainshaft worn or damaged
- Final gears worn or damaged
- Transmission-to-engine assembly error
- Axle disengaged

Notes:
- Check the ATF level, and check the ATF cooler lines for leakage and loose connections. If necessary, clean the ATF cooler lines.

- Check for a loose shift cable at the shift lever and the transmission control shaft.

- Improper alignment of ATF pump and torque converter housing may cause ATF pump seizure. The symptoms are mostly an RPM-related ticking noise or a high pitched squeak.

- Check the line pressure.

- If the strainer is clogged, find the damaged components that caused the debris.

- Inspect the differential pinion gears for wear. If the differential pinion gears are worn, replace the differential assembly, replace the ATF strainer, thoroughly clean the transmission, and clean the torque converter, cooler, and lines.

- Be careful not to damage the torque converter housing when replacing the main ball bearing. You may also damage the ATF pump when you torque down the main valve body. This will result in ATF pump seizure if not detected. Use the proper tools.

- Install the main seal flush with the torque converter housing. If you push it into the torque converter housing until it bottoms out, it will block the fluid return passage and result in damage.












How many miles are on it?

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

245k but when it does work it pulls and works great. i was driving it around for over 2 weeks without a problem. then it did it again. i wonder if the POSITION SENSOR ASSY down on the lower end of the tranny could be it? seems like a sensor or something is to blame!

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

It's certainly possible. Have you ever had the MIL (check engine light) come on, or the D indicator flash?


I made a DIY for testing the TRS. (transmission range switch) Click Here and read post #11


Also check for loose connections at the switch harness. Give it a wiggle and see if that fixes it.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

i have a code reader, no other codes or flashing lights
well only once the code P0741 -Torque converter clutch circuit performance or stuck off
i erased it and i can make it come up again when i unplug the torque converter solenoid. i've been checking repeatedly for loose connections no luck on it helping. i will test the TRS very soon and get back on here to let u know what it says

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Sounds like you might have intermittent solenoid failure. I recommend you buy a Helms manual for troubleshooting and repair. It's well-worth it.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

i have the shop service manual like the honda dealership has. plus i have replaced the shift solenoids A & B (set) with known good ones. but theres main shaft speed sensor, counter shaft speed sensor, VSS, TRS, and the torque converter solenoid. as i've learned all these sensors or solenoids help control the tranny. oh yea plus the solenoids right above the shift ones, cant think of the name. i've just got to use what info u gave me and check them all out.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Best of luck with it!


Please let us know what you find out, and how you fixed it.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

ok so i found out after your check (TRS & harness) that the switch was good and the harness was bad. ordered a replacement and will update again after i install.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Updates are definitely appreciated! Updates benefit those who are searching for answers in order to avoid making questions repetitious. :beer:

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

this is the (trs) tell me what u think about if this is the problem??

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

It looks well-used, but you said that you tested it and that it works. So .. .. ?

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

after more testing threw the harness when in park it tested as if it was in Neutral. the harness is new and the switch as u see is worn. there is a recall on this part and includes my car.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Poor continuity within the internal bands of the
transmission range switch.

temp seems to have a factor as well. if everything is cold it takes 3 min of driving before it screws up. if its been ran hot messed up then parked and turned off for 5 min allows about another of 1 min of driving before doing the same.the switch would get heat from the hot fluid in the tranny flowing threw the tranny but its not got fluid running to it (trs) which im sure u know. im gonna just get a new one and hope it fixes it. any other suggestions im open to them!!

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Interesting.


Well, hopefully a new switch fixes the issue!

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

wow, thought i had this one figured out, but this is a really unique problem ive never seen before. Keep us updated

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

replaced the switch with new one from honda. did not fix it!! i was told by a shop i trust that its internal pressures. when i blow out the tranny with compressed air it starts to work again. called honda dealership the guy told me to flush the tranny by draining the tranny and adding back 3/4 of new honda ATF. repeat till its all replaced. he said it would clear out what sounds like a clog. yes indeed very unique problem.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Hopefully it clears it out. Check the strainer to see if it's covered in debris. It also wouldn't hurt to have a shop check the line pressure. (as noted in post #4



Have you considered doing an auto-to-manual swap? We have a pretty good DIY in the FAQ's for it if you decide to go that route. Might be worth the hassle.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

cleaned out the tranny and replaced with new fluid and car is working good. i believe im gonna sell this car lol

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Well, at least it's operating normally now, especially if you do decide to sell it. :P



Best of luck with it.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

thanks again guys! hope no one else has this problem if so hope this helps them.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

Hi, I'm wondering if you ever figured out what the exact problem was with your civic. I'm dealing with a similar transmission issue and don't know where to put my resources for repairs.

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

The link posted above about a DIY on testing the TRS doesn't work. Im having the exact same problem on my 2004 civic automatic. I replace the entire transmission with a lower mileage one I bought for $650 and it is still doing exactly the same thing. No CEL. Any help would be appreciated.

BTW, we had to replace all the Honda ATF for the replacement tranny and the problem remains. This money pit is killing me....I just need it fixed. Any other suggestions?

Re: Transmission not engaging - '04 Civic
 

makes me laugh how people expect to fix an auto tranny from the outside.

you buy a used tranny, most junk yards warranty their parts for 90 days. take it back.

makes no sense to buy a used trans unless you plan to rebuild it. but then, you might as well rebuild the one you have in the car anyways.

you want to troubleshoot a trans, the first step is to establish a stall speed and perform pressure tests. if these fail, remove and rebuild the trans.

There is no sensor or solenoid that will prevent a trans from driving or going 'into' drive. Those are niceties to make the drive smoother, hill climbs, shifts up, downshifts, etc... But it goes or doesn't go - that's internal to the trans.