luthoro

Long story short, our 97 Accord EX went for a swim last week. It runs again after blowing all the water out and replacing all ignition components and it was driving fine for one day after the incident but now the transmission will not engage reverse or drive. There was absolutely no indication of mechanical failure; no weird noises or vibrations, no hesitation or hard shifting. It just decided that it wasn't going to go into gear anymore. The shift lever moves of course but the trans doesn't respond at all. I had a flashing D4 light and CEL, but the computer had gotten wet so I just replaced the ECM this morning, making sure the replacement was the same part number, but this did not solve the problem. The CEL and flashing green ring around D4 are gone but it still won't engage. What's the next step? Control solenoid? Please advise. This car is relied upon, we need it driving again ASAP.

MAD_MIKE

Did you drain the transmission and check for water intrusion?

holmesnmanny

It's possible the electrical connections shorted out from the water.

luthoro

The fluid was contaminated so I did SIX drain and fill cycles in a row this morning, running it in between to circulate the fluid. Is that not enough cycles? It worked again for about one minute. I got to the end of the street before it started acting like it was in neutral again.

MAD_MIKE

Most likely the sump pickup is clogged. Check this link out for further info...
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...dvice-3264675/

luthoro

Yes, thank you. That sounds like exactly what ours is doing. I hear a whining sound from the tc as well. I'll dig through that thread more later, but off the cuff is there a way to access and clean the filter without removing the trans or cutting holes in it?

MAD_MIKE

There is no pan, the filter is not readily serviceable.
Either pull the trans and disassemble, at which point you may as well rebuild.
Or
Use Tylers instructions and carefully drill the hole, don't go in too far, steady and slow. Blast filter media clean with brake cleaner. Tap, thread, and install plug. Refill and test.

luthoro

That's the option then. I don't have time to pull and overhaul it right now. I'll post back with how it goes, probably next weekend. Thanks again. Its a good car and I just did a bunch of work to it a few weeks before this. I'd hate to have to junk it.