ccarey

like it says I have an automatic transmission in my 93 del sol, and when i start it and it's cold the trans will not upshift from 2nd to 3rd is the only problem im having. if i start the car and let it warm up first then drive it it shifts fine. I have flushed the trand and it still happens, has any had this experience or have experience with auto trans regarding this issue?

ccarey

anyone?

slamstrom

Not on a Del Sol, but I had rough shifting in the past when cold, but the car has always shifted. By topping off the ATF, the rough shifting went away. Do you have enough ATF in the transmission housing? Are you using Honda ATF? I find the Honda ATF shifts smoother than the ATF from the auto store. Yes, the Honda ATF cost more, but it seems to work well.

ccarey

yeah it has honda atf fluid in it and it is set at the proper level.

ccarey

anyone with automatic trans experience?

turbosix.net

any check engine light?

ccarey

can a shift solenoid cause this and not throw a code

visormurp

I hope someone knowledgeable about auto trans chimes in. About a month ago, my 95 sol was doing something similar. Sometimes it wouldn't shift at all in any of the gears, and fluid was full and red. I ended up just replacing the trans.

ccarey

ok I have no check engine lights whatsoever in regards to my issue, this is exactly what happens everytime.

1. i get in the car and start it
2. have about an 9 mile drive to work
3. after about 3 maybe 4 miles of driving the trans will up shift from 2nd to 3rd and when it does you hear a loud high pitch slip grind kind of noise. Once this happens the trans shifts just fine regardless of how you drive it.
4. here is the catch if i get in and start the car and let it sit in my driveway and run at idle for approx 15 to 20 min, then the trans shifts just fine everytime with no issue of upshift.
5. but if i get in it cold and drive it and every stop light i come to throw it back in park i will eventually be able to take off and it shift just fine,

I have done a flush 3 times with honda atf fluid, i have changed out my engine temperature control switch, and still i have this trouble.

i have found if i don't drive the car everyday and it sit for about a week then i get in it, i dont have any issue the first day of driving regardless if it is warm or cold, but the next day it's like clockwork.

if any one on here is familiar with auto trans issues, i would really appreciate some input. i have always had a 5 speed trans and this is he first auto i have ever delt with. If its something i can fix, great i will, but if it is just a bad trans, then i'll start looking for another one. i just want to resolve all of my issues before doing so

ccarey

Nobody here is good with trans issues? We got so many motor experts but no trans techs?

ccarey

anyone? still needing some help

ferio252

Sounds like one or more solenoid is dirty or not functioning correctly?

ccarey

ok great a response about the solenoids. I was going to change them out if anyone thought it may work in regards to my problem

rig9896

Did u ever figure out this probelm? I have the same issue in my 98 civic.

Luserkid

I know this is an old thread and you probably already fixed the problem. But it could be the clutch discs that are inside the trans being misaligned. I had this problem on a car and we ended up changing the trans because its easier/cheaper then rebuilding the trans. But all that stuff that was done (oil changes, cleaning of solenoids, changing of solenoids) did nothing.

r0g3r16

I been having the same problem with my 1990 integra it will only shift to 3rd after it has warmed up and then works fine

pityocamptes

Interesting my civic at times will shift hard between gears especially from like 1st to 2nd. Does this solenoid control the shifting? If so where would it be located on a 1998 Honda Civic EX? Trying to get all the maintenance taken care of within the next couple of weeks. Thanks!

letam06

Its a shift solenoid gaurenteed. I had the same problem in my chrysler Sebring which is my winter car. Would only shift until 2nd gear. Took it in to a tranny specialist and asked for a free quote. They told me it was the solenoid. Replaced it and the problem disappeared.

MrKilroy

This thread has been dead forever but my 1992 Civic EX has this same issue. I was actually able to track down OP and ask him what he found. He said that he didn't end up solving it and he did a manual transmission conversion. What I did with mine is first I changed the solenoids. No change. I had changed the fluid a year or two ago because when my car was cold it was slow to shift. It didn't make noise at this point it just hesitated to shift. I used Valvoline max life or something. Today I changed it again but with honda DW-1. It actually did seem to shift a little smoother but it wasn't cold enough for my transmission to act up. The bad news was my 2 year old fluid had a significant amount of metal flakes it in. So it is definitely a mechanical issue inside the transmission. I don't know how much longer my transmission will last. I don't think the Valvoline killed my transmission as it acted funny ever since I had it but I think the DW-1 is a better fluid and I would recommend using that when you change your fluid.