MikesEJ1

Got a 93 civic auto with bad vibration in the front end at 30-35 mph and 1700-2000 rpms.Changed the d/s axle 3 times,same problem.did some research on the internet and found people with civics describing my problem exactly.I'm convinced I have this torque converter shudder problem What can i do to fix this any info would be great

MikesEJ1

anyone? i know its a holiday weekend so....

TomCat39

I know this is an old thread but I have been experiencing this and realized a critical point that maybe missed by all.

The 5th gen automatic has 2 drives, Drive 3 and Drive 4. Unlike other cars that only have Drive and the car controls everything.

I've started doing the practice of only using Drive 4 at greater than 45 MPH (80 KPH). I don't have any shudder issues anymore. Drive 3 is for in town driving and Drive 4 is for freeway/highway driving.

The OBD1 ECU is a pretty basic computer and seeing as Honda included 2 drive settings, I realized that human intervention is expected and likely was explained to buyers at the dealership back when they were buying the cars new. This probably never got translated to 2nd hand and later owners.

tony_2018

huh? I have an acura with more than 2 drives. Even when on D4 I never had a shudder. The only thing I can tell you is that I've done fluid changes on the automatic and its hit 250k and still running on the original transmission that came with the db7.

TomCat39

I've done fluid changes and run inline filter. Fluid has always look sparkly clean.

Only happens at light throttle low speed in D4, it shifts into 4th gear at 30 mph and then will shudder as I think the ECU is trying to engage the torque converter lockout but it's way to slow to be doing that.

Using D3 prevents it from even trying.

tony_2018

4th gear at 30mph? I'm gonna have to drive the db7 again. I dont recall it going into 4th ay 30mph

TomCat39

The only reason I know it's dropping into fourth (thought it was third initially) is when I drop it to D3 it drops a gear. And I know D3 won't ever go into 4th. If it was in 3rd, I don't see why switching to D3 would force it to drop a gear.

Also when I do the D3 until close to 80 KMH (47-48 MPH) and put it into D4 it switches up a gear, then does the torque converter lockup closer to 100 KMH (60 MPH).

This is on the 5th gen D15B7 DX Automatic.

TomCat39

To add to this as the original thread did not have very much information.....

I stumbled across a thread where the person never did solve the shudder issue and indicated they believed the ECU with low throttle was repeatedly attempting to engage the torque converter lockout. They suggested that maybe a new torque converter may be needed but did not do it to see. I can't seem to find the thread now. But I did find this thread similar in theory:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/transm...ation-3187463/

I also came across an external "fix it" site that a mechanic stated the 3rd and 4th gear shudder can be one of two problems on the non CVT automatics.

One is a faulty shift/torque converter lockout solenoid (the double solenoid on the external top side of the transmission case). This can be easily replaced.

Two is a broken spring internally and they said this requires transmission replacement. They didn't specify what spring and I haven't taken the time to study the FSM to attempt an educated guess but it did seem like a pretty hefty dismantle would be required. Basically bordering on a rebuild.

I'd also like to add, in my case, the transmission doesn't shudder when cold even though it does shift into 4th at very low speeds. But once the transmission warms up to full operating temperature, that is when the shudder become apparent with low speed 4th gear light throttle acceleration.

Hopefully this amalgamation of information proves helpful to someone in the future and helps round out this was barren thread.

tony_2018

I've read about the torque converter locking up at cruising speeds, read it somewhere...

it was meant to help with better mpg