I want to help my future daughter in law by rebuilding the auto trans in her 1996 Accord EX 4 cyl.
The trans is slipping badly and seems to work only in second gear - sounds just like the popular 98-02 failures!

Based on the posts I've read about repeated failures of replacement transmissions I think more will be needed than the typical soft parts rebuild kit.
Does anyone know what part(s) are causing the trans problems?
Is there an update to fix this problem?

Thanks,
Bob

 

Not to be a dick man but you are in over your head. I know trained mechanics with the know how who say screw it and get a used tranny from a junkyard. There's too many little pieces and its an absolute slimy mess. Just swap it out that's what I say. Honestly it'll probably end up costing the same and you may even be able to get a warranty on it (I know a place in Lincoln, NE that you can buy up to a two year warranty on engines/trannies).

Honda auto trannys in general are pretty weak. As to what it is is anyones guess, the other problem at least in my family's experience is that they tend to self destruct and its never just one part. Usually its the torque converters that go or some remote passages get clogged up. Oh the many many many advantages of driving a stick!

 

I know there are some pretty savy folks who use this board - surely someone knows what the weak points of this trans are!

 

bumpin for the guy to take the easy route, even if you don't know made a post!!!

and FYI I don't know of anyone in here that rebuilds auto transmissions, like I said its not worth it.

 

what's wrong with the trans?

most common failure for auto trans is heat related

other things that can kill your auto trans

1. failure to change fluid or keep it at proper levels
2. going from forward to reverse without comming to a complate stop first...... or vica versa

 

Car has 135k miles.
Serviced regularly by Honda dealer.
Hesitated a bit before otherwise normal 1st gear engagement.
Advanced to major slippage in forward gears - not sure what gear it moves slightly in.
Reverse is fine.
Car is in the air - about half way toward tranny on bench.
Transmission manual and regular rebuild kit in the mail.
The worst that can happen is a total ____ up and installation of a rebuilt.
Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

things to check does the car run cold? if the t stat is stuck open ECU will not allow lockup of torque converter.

are sylandoids working properly? If not you will not get lockup and car will slip when in gear....


usually slipping is cauased by worn clutch plates

 

if u really plan on rebuilding a honda tranny ,,first thing to do is get a factory manual, however i would discourage you to do so,,,,, u need a lot of time if u want to do the job right , u need to remove all the valves in the valve body, clean them all up and make sure they slide in freely,, there are a lot of parts to remove and u will have **** all over,,,u will need special tool to rebuild the clutch pacs ,you need a mike to measure shims, feeler gauges to measure clutch pac clearance ,,,,,,,we use to overhaul tranny all the time but we found that once it is all said and done it is almost the same price if not cheaper depending on failed parts to install a reman tranny..the labor to overhaul a tranny is quite long if u want to do the job right and make it last ...
there is no way that i can give you a step by step direction and it is not because i dont want to, but we would be here typing back and forth all the time for many many hrs ,,,
My advice,, get a reman tranny if u plan on keeping car for a long haul. get a used tranny if u plan on selling car soon ,,