forevermemorabl

I have a 1995 Honda Civic DX 1.5 non-vtec engine (engine #D15B7)...the car has an automatic transmission.

I have noticed this issue start a year ago. Whenever the car changed gears, there is a pause between gears, as if the car is having difficultly changing gears. And when the gears are changing and the car is hesitant, I can feel the gas being applied, but no acceleration between gear shifts. The best way to describe it is, if you accidentally hit your stick into neutral while the gas is being pressed, you feel the gas being applied, but of course, no acceleration.

This issue is really annoying and the car takes extra time accelerating when I first take it out on any given day. After the issue was noticed and more recently, I changed the spark plugs, spark wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor, fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel pump strainer, PCV valve, oxygen sensor (only 1 on my car), oil filter, oil, transmission fluid replacement, air filter, timing belt, water pump, "3" other belts, battery, timing adjustment. I was hoping after all of that, the problem would be fix. Please don't get me wrong, I only changed these for preventative maintenance.

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a possible slipping transmission. Was the old transmission fluid burnt when you drained it?

forevermemorabl

Gee, I don't remember, it was a few months ago. My memory sucks. I have always been under the impression that a slipping transmission will always do just that, "slip" from gears to gears, with a very noticeable hard shift. There is NO noticeable hard shifting at all.

Marvin1985

iTrader: (5)

Does it do this in every gear or a certain gear(s)?

crxsi1

How many miles on the car? I'm gonna guess torque converter going bad.

forevermemorabl

It does it in every gear! Although, when I get on the freeway and eventually getting up to 60-75 mph, the car runs good...without any issues. I also notice the problem always when I start up my car to go out for the first time each day. The moment I press on the gas it fills like the gas is just flooding the cylinders for a brief moment. The car is really hesitant...almost like something is clogged!

Telecatster

You threw a bunch of money at in parts and then decided to ask your question here? Please reverse that for all future issues.

Most likely your transmission slipping as slomofo stated. Do a drain and fill (research it) and hope for the best. If that doesn't help you can add a conditioner like this http://www.agrimart.net/lucas-transm...FfMQtAodskoAww or similar and again hope for the best. If it is your tranny for sure that is the issue and neither of those two things help, it's better to replace (low mileage used one) than rebuild.

forevermemorabl

As mentioned at the start of this thread, I replaced the transmission fluid recently. I also said..."Please don't get me wrong, I only changed these for preventative maintenance." It was time to do all those mentioned items in my list, NOT because the car was hesitating in acceleration.

I did not replace all these parts because of my acceleration between gears. I was hoping after all these parts were changed, my car would run smoother, but that wasn't the case.

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

Your best bet would be to roll down to a transmission repair shop and have one of their techs drive your car. I doubt they'd charge you for a simple test drive, but they'd be able to give you a second opinion on whether or not the transmission is slipping.

Former User

Three items to focus on prior to replacing the auto transmission - ATF, throttle cable, and TPS.

Try three consecutive ATF drain and refill cycles. One third of the ATF remains in the transmission after draining.

Also check the throttle cable adjustment. See diagram.

Is TPS code 7 thrown? Is the TPS properly voltage calibrated?

forevermemorabl

That is a good idea! I think I might just do that. I will check the "Throttle Control Cable" and the "Torque Converter." In regards to the "TPS" (Throttle Position Sensor), what do you mean by if "code 7 thrown?" Are you talking about a code from a OBD1 reader? Also, how does one go about properly calibrating the TPS?

Grizzdude

Sounds like the torque converter to me. get that checked out

Former User

Click the Codes link in my signature to learn how to pull CEL codes. You just need a piece of wire or a paper clip.

The output voltage for the TPS should be 0.5V at closed throttle and 4.5V at wide open throttle. You need a multimeter.

If you have only drained and refilled the transmission with fresh Honda ATF once, you may need to do it a couple more times to see an improvement.

forevermemorabl

I watched the video earlier and I think it is similar to what you are talking about.

I will drain and refill the transmission again.

forevermemorabl

Let me ask you this, when you say to drain my transmission a couple of more times, what is the process/procedure for doing this. Do I drain it when its hot, than refill and drive it for a day and than repeat the process. How long in between fillings should I wait?

nismoracingsx

So much win, thanks for reading the very first post in this thread...

OP, even one test drive should be enough to circulate your fluid.

Most repair shops have a machine that is plumbed inline with the transmission fluid system to effectively remove all old fluid while adding new fluid at the same time, and they only do it once :p

My .02, I agree with Slomofo hands down. Just let a transmission specialist drive it and take a look at it. Shops that specialize can narrow it down real fast and save a lot of hassle most times.

I've had sounds I couldn't diagnose before in my 240, and they wouldn't even charge me just to drive down the road and back and aim me in the right direction.

Good luck.

Former User

Agreed.

This is not good advice. An ATF flush is one of the best ways to ruin an old Civic auto transmission. The OP should avoid this option like the plague.

forevermemorabl

I agree too...very very bad advice! You are talking about a 1995 Honda Civic with 220,000 miles on it. 99% of everyone I have ever talked to has never recommended doing a transmission flush, as it loosen up metal particles and dislodges things that should just be left alone. "Don't wake up a sleeping giant," in this case.

nismoracingsx

I wasn't recommending a flush....though it is the same machine, yes. You can replace fluid without actually flushing the system, no more risk then him draining and refilling it a bunch of times..

My recommendation was to take it to a transmission shop...

"Don't wake a sleeping giant"?? Why not just get the problem fixed rather than ignore it? It will only get worse..

Keep us updated OP.

forevermemorabl

Ohh no...I very much will drain the transmission a couple of more times, to be on the safe side...but I don't want to "wake a sleeping giant" in terms of a transmission flush or a high pressure transmission flush...whatever you want to call it.

I will keep you'all updated on my investigating with the recommendations you'all have posted. I don't mind checking things out or looking into different avenues...some of the things posted are new to me, but I love to learn about cars and anytime you can figure out the problem and solve it, is worth $75+ per hour that a mechanic will charge...which I do not have anyways.