falconator

While looking at an automatic transmission 1992 Honda Accord LX I had someone tell me that the automatics of that generation tend to shift someone hard. I just wanted to see if this was the case or if they were blowing smoke up my butt.

philadd

I guess it all depends on your definition of "hard". Can you feel it shift? Sure, that's normal. Is it jerking the car? No, not normal.

Generally speaking, if the auto trans is heading south, the shifts get softer and softer until they just slip all the time.

hondadude

Hondas in those years have a 'positive shift' meaning there is pressure on the clutch paks as they engage. If you have always driven GM products it will seem as a harsh shift. Now if it 'Bangs' that is a trans problem.
The idea of the positive pressure shift is that there is less wear/less slippage of the clutch disks.
The American people whined and cried about it so much, that Honda came out with a GM mushy **** shift trans in '98'and up Accords.
Sort of IRONIC those older transmissions could go 1/4-1/2 million miles with proper service, but the new GM style Mushy **** shift transmissions rarely make it 100k miles.
Guess the whiners ruined it for every one.

falconator

Yes I know a "hard" shift isn't very descriptive. The only automatics I have really been used to are Jeeps and newer hondas. I have always owned 5-speeds so I am to just trying to make sure nothing is going south. I

I guess the best way to check would have a mechanic drive it or possibly drive other honda automatics to compare the different cars.

Thanks for the help, and if anyone has anymore input I would appreciate it.

philadd

I'm sure it's simply a matter of you not expecting the shifts to be that firm. The first time I drove a 90-93 Accord, I though the same exact thing as you. But as hondadude said, it wasn't until the newer Accords that the autos shifted softly.

falconator

Excellent, that is what I was wanting hear. I was kind of worried, and really didn't want to deal with any problems as I just bought it.

Gearspeed-Performance

iTrader: (1)

Keep in mind that the incorrect fluid will cause a harsher shift in Honda Autos. Use Genuine Honda ATF. Hondadude is so right about people complaining about the positive shift!! LOL! Like stated above...a good positive shift is one thing but, a bang or clunk is another. Those can also be an indication of a bad mount and not a bad transmission. So check it thoroughly before deeming it a bad transmission. Good Luck!

Stealthman80

I've had my car for 25,000 kms and the whole time I keep waitign for it to explode and it hasnt yet, on my car its shifts hard at Low rpms liek the car lunges forward and pretty smooth at like 3-5k and over 5 somtimes its REALLY hard

98savage

My girlfriend has a 92...when I first got in it, I thought it might be a flare in the shift. I drive a 98 and couldn't even feel it shift when it was "alive". Got into my friends 93 and it did the same thing as hers.....it takes getting used to but nothing wrong.