I have a 98 Honda Accord w/ 155,000 miles on it. Yesterday (Fri.), after running several errands, my car started to act up. Stopped at a traffic light. Upon accelerating, it began to jerk and struggled to get in the next gear, but it finally got into gear. Then I came unto another traffic light. Upon accelerating, it did it again. I made it home, called the dealer, and they are booked unto Monday. Got in the car today (Sat.), drove it for about a mile....nothing happened. It ran smooth. Will see what it does tomorrow. Also, since the weather has gotten warmer, I've been driving with my windows down. I realized that my car makes this distinct noise when I am accelerating. I can't fully describe it as whinny, but it is close to a whinny/scratchy noise. I tried to ignore it since the car had been running fine up until Fri, so now I am wondering if that noise is related to the problems I experienced Friday? Anybody ever experienced this? Feel free to take a guess on what it could be before the dealer gives me the "likely-costly" news...that is, if the problem happens again while they drive the car. Sometimes, it seems it is hard for them to diagnose a problem unless the CEL is on, and they can rely on the diagnostic machine to tell them what's the problem. But, my CEL is not on...not yet, at least. Thanks.

 

the jerking sounds like the tranny slipping
98-00 have tranny problems
i dont know about the whinny noise

 

you could also look at the idle adjustment screw on the throttle body, make sure everything is in order...

 

I don't have a constructive response to this post, but I just wanted to ask, am I the only one that saw the topic and giggled?

 

Drove it for awhile today (Sun.). Started off running fine. On the way home, the problem started again. It jerks as I am accelerating. It doesn't seem to be the tranny slipping, but since I'm mechanically-challenged, I really can't say with complete certainty. I've read about the MANY Honda Accord trannies going out, especially on the 98 models that I have. So, I tried to really see if I was now part of that great number. Nevertheless, something is causing the car to jerk during acceleration. It even jerked one time right when I pressed the accelerator to go. The gears seem to shift fine.

 

V6 or I4?

Either way it is Approximately $3K for a rebuild.

That jerking is the car catching the associated gear really hard and slamming your whole driveline. You got less that 1K miles before it craps out completely. $3K is a whole lot cheaper than a whole other car. and Honda engines can easily make 300K or more.

Edit:

This is what happened in my car

first sign of trouble was car not shifting right beteen 1/2 as the shift was delayed....less than 200 miles later I got the gear slamming between forst and second and then about 100 miles after that, the car would not go into second at all when it was cold and half of the time first was slipping as well. Took it to the trans shop and now all is well for another 150K or so..........(the average life of these transmissions)


Modified by YeuEmMaiMai at 2:29 PM 3/12/2006

 

I had a similar problem with my ITR. It did give an intermitent CEL which showed it to be running lean.

I changed the Distributor/rotor, Ignitor coil and spark plugs/wires. Which didn't help.
Then I replaced the fuel filter, which has seemed to fix the problem.

Try replacing cheap stuff first

 

Well, the verdict is in. If you were betting that it was the tranny, then pat yourself on the back. The verdict from the dealership: Internal problems within the transmission. Needs replacing. Costs, $3,800!!

I have not given them the green light to fix it. I need more estimates before I settle on $3,800. That's just too dam-n high!

Have Honda improved the quality of their transmission in the Accords?? I've read about the MANY other folk with a 98 Accord who had to replace their transmissions. Honda is making a LOT of money off all of their bad transmissions! This is ridiculous. I used to brag on this car, because this is the first major problem I've had with it, and I have almost 155,000 miles on it. But anytime you are told that you need almost $4,000 worth of work done, then the bragging days are over!

 

it's not too bad...honda here wanted $5K and I asked them what in the world are you smoking? I got my trans rebuilt for $3.2K and my car had half the milage yours does.............

That whine you heard was the differential going out.............

 

Talk to a private shop; they're probably much cheaper. We had a '98 Merc Sable tranny rebuilt for under $2K if my memory serves me right.

 

I talked to many shops in my area and if all you needed was a master rebuild kit, then $2K is about right. Unfortunately, there is always more required than a master rebuild kit

shift solenoids $500 (all of them)
line pressure switch are over $300
torque converter $210
Labor remove, rebuild and install $1200
Master rebuild Kit $300 (clutch packs and rubber seals/ o-rings)
Diff bearings (most always replaced on this trans) $100 ($50 each)
Main shaft $140
Trans Fluid $80

 

Just got two quotes on a remanufactured tranny. One for $2800 (parts & labor) and the other for $2400 (parts & labor). That's a far cry from $3858+tax the dealer was gonna charge. Went into the first shop, that specializes in foreign cars, and the mechanic smiled when I told him what I wanted, and gave me a quote immediately. Turns out, he had JUST got off the phone giving someone else a quote on a tranny for a 98 Honda Accord V6. The Honda dealer told me that Honda has extended the warranty on the trannies to 100,000 for 98 thru 2000 or 2002 models. But, that won't help since I am way over 100K.

 

even if it costs you a few extra, replace the differental bearings....they usually will not rebuild a differental but you indicated a whining noise so it could be caused by that. The bearings are like $100 for the set and it is well worth it IMHO.

 

the warranty was on the 2000-01 models, the '98,99, and 02 models are excluded.......

 

Well, just informing what the guy in the service dept. told me. He told me that 98 models were included. Maybe he himself was misinformed??

 

yes he was unless Honda decided since jan 15 of this year to change their mind....... (that is when I changed out my trans with only 89K on it)

 

After reading the title, all I can say is use either KY or lotion...enjoy! haha.