I am trying to help out a friend with a 4th generation Accord (I'm not exactly sure of the year, but I'll find out). The car is an automatic and in Drive it will only use 3rd gear. You can manually shift down to 1st gear, but then when you shift to anything else the car goes straight to 3rd and stays there. Also, the sport light in the cluster won't go off. In my previous experience these types of problems have been switch or electrical problems, but I haven't tackled this problem before on a Honda. Since 1st works well (manually) I figured that the loss of 2nd and 4th was a transmission computer error???? Any thoughts. Thanks.

 

read the code and post it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i believe 2nd and 4th are in the same clutch pack so it could have mechanical issues ...

 

Do the range indicator lamps on the dash indicate the true position of the selector handle? There is a switch assembly in the shifter assembly which not only operates the dash indicator lamps but signals the TCM (Transmission Control Module) what gear range you've selected.
When it fails, it can not only set trouble codes (P0705 thru P0709 on OBD2 systems), or a P0006* (OBD1), but can interfere with removing the Ignition Key as well.
You've still a ways to go b4 we get a definitive "That's It!!", but we'll get there

P

*Subject to heckling and subsiquent revision

 

The problem went away after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, which is why this is such an old post and I'm only just now getting back to it. I thought it was electrical, still do, kind of. The problem obviously returned and my friend took the car to the dealer--they told her she needs a new transmission, but they also disconnected and reconnected her battery for her. The problem went away for a few hours this time and then came back. Unfortunately, her computer is not storing any fault codes and her CEL does not come on at any point during this problem. I'm going to help her take apart her gear selector to check the switches and connectors--do you think this is where the problem could be? Other possibilities? Could one of the solenoid valves be bad without sending a fault code? Thanks for the help.

 

I'm beginning to think it's related to the TCM (Transmission Control Module) itself. Solenoids and switxhes don't reset themselves by just interupting power, the TCM would. The fact it's not reporting a problem, could itself be an indicator of a module problem. Transmission issues which would effect shifting:
Sticking Spool valves in Valve Body
Shift Solenoids filter screens dirty
Shift Solenoid (s)

....

P

 

my guess is you lost one of the shift circuits on the electronics side of things. you can check the shift solenoids and let us know what you find.

 

Check this link,

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1480984

i had the exact same issue and i'm 99.9% sure it's gonna be a damaged TCM caused by leaky capacitor which is very common.

the key their was the light goin off only when the battery cable is removed, that's what told me it was the leaky caps able to fully discharge only when the battery cable is removed and you try to turn the key on for a sec. try pulling the fuse for the TCM and see if the tranny shifts without the light on. if it does NOT then pull the TCM out and pop the cover off.


Brain

 

Just wanted to thank you guys for all your help. The TCM was definitely shot. Haven't replaced it yet, but upon inspection the capacitors inside definitely were bad.

 

Thanks for the "That was it" report. Not only does it help educate the unwashed masses, but it also inflates our egos when we're proven correct.
Glad we could be of assistance.

P