My car seems to lunge forward slightly while shifting. It's only a slight lunge and happens more in low gears when there is not much torque on the gears. If I accelerate moderately or very quickly I usually do not notice any lunge. I have also noticed that the engine does not rev up while shifting, which I understand would be a sign of slippage. I have only just recently purchased the vehicle and not knowing if the previous owner had put honda transmission fluid in the car decided to change the transmission fluid; however, this did not remedy the problem. If anyone has any idea what the problem is and if it's worth getting checked out please let me know. I dont have money to put a new transmission in the car if its going bad and therefore am somewhat reluctant to go to a mechanic and pay to get it diagnosed. Any input at all would be great.

 

I also have a 97 Accord with the same problem. Mine started off as yours and then I got a CEL; the code was PO715, Speed Sensor Malfunction. I took it to a local Transmission shop to have it replaced thinking it would solve the problem, they also said that it should solve the problem. It cost me 185.00 and it didn’t completely solve the problem. The CEL is now off and it does shift a little bit smoother but it is still there. My car is leaking a few drops of transmission fluid each night and the tech at the shop said that I have a little bit of play in my differential on the passenger side, a sign of eminent failure. I just hope I can get another 7K out of it before I get rid of it. I have 114K miles on it now. I also have had my transmission fluid changed every 30K miles since I bought the car, I didn’t think I would be having this problem on an Accord with this mileage on it!

 

Do you guys drive hard? You should change it every 15k, **** gets mad dirty.

Did honda make bad trannys for the 5th generations?

I got a 97 ex with 68k hope that **** doens't happen to me.

 

Hate to say it but this is normal for almost all Honda slushbox automatics. My accord has been doing this for the last 4 years. You may still want to check the shift & lock-up solenoids, though.

 

No, I don't drive the car hard at all; however, I just bought the car used. The gentleman I bought the car from didn't seem like the type to drive hard either. I have also heard that a lot of hondas have this problem like CB7VTEC mentioned. My car does not leak transmission fluid nor is the CEL on. All together the car runs extremely well, its just that I noticed that shifting is almost unnoticable in other automatics.

 

This is always worth doing:
Provided by another forum member. I cannot remember his name and he WILL flame me !
Honda Auto-Trans Flush = 1 case (12 qrts) Honda ATF aprox $50. 1 new drain bolt washer $1.
1) Put the front of the car up on jackstands with the wheels off the ground. Put a large container under drain plug.
2) Remove the transmission drain plug (3/8" drive ratchet works fine). Let transmission drain and wipe sludge off drain plug.
3) Reinstall drain plug and snug (not tighten). Fill transmission with three quarts of ATF.
4) Start engine and shift into drive. Gently accelerate and let transmission upshift through the gears (don't go over 50 MPH).
5) Step on brakes and bring speedo to 0.
6) Shift into reverse and accelerate to 20 MPH.
7) Bring speedo back to 0 with brakes. Shift to park and shut off engine.
8) Repeat steps 2 through 7 TWO MORE TIMES.
9) Drain the transmission once more. Reinstall drain plug and tighten firmly (don't forget to reinstall crush washer).
10) Remove jackstands and put vehicle on level ground.
11) Fill transmission with 2 1/2 quarts of ATF. Start engine. Shift to drive, then reverse, then put back in park and shut off engine.
12) Check transmission fluid level. Top off if needed to bring fluid level to the top of the crosshatch marks on the dipstick.

 

Yeah, I have allready changed the transmission fuid and was sure to use Honda ATF. It may have improved things a bit, but for sure did not remedy everything. I did this only because the guy that owned the car before me seemed like he might of been a cheapskate and I didn't want to take any chances.

By the way thanks to everyone who has replied.

By the way why does the trans-flush guy specifically say not to go above 50mph?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mccadr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, I have allready changed the transmission fuid and was sure to use Honda ATF. It may have improved things a bit, but for sure did not remedy everything. I did this only because the guy that owned the car before me seemed like he might of been a cheapskate and I didn't want to take any chances.

By the way thanks to everyone who has replied.

By the way why does the trans-flush guy specifically say not to go above 50mph?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Did you drain it or do a complete flush ? Big difference ! There is no need to go over 50 and trust me you will not want to because at about 40 + mph the car will start to rock and roll ! It's somewhat nerve-racking !