I have an 1991 Honda Civic LX 4-Cyl 1.5 liter with an Automatic Transmission. I have about 170,000 miles on it.

Anyways, I am asking for anyone to help me please diagnose the problem I am having with my tranny. I know engines pretty well, but have little to no experience with automatic transmissions.

Here is the problem, whenever I am accelerating and the trans shifts gears (basically any up shift 1-2, 2-3, ect.) the car jerks kind of forward. At times it varies on how hard it jerks. I can ease the jerking by letting the RMPs go to about 3,000 and when it is about to shift, I slightly easy off the gas and that seems to lessen the jerking. Also, I went on vacation and let the car sit for about 6 days, when I first drove it, the tranny problem didnt exist, but later it started up again.

Basically, I bought the car and it had the problem. The previous owner didn't mention the problem and when I test drove the car I didnt notice the problem since the car probably wasn't driven for a while.

In addition, when I am in drive and stopped, as soon as I let off the gas, it kind of take off on its own to about 5 mph without even pressing on the gas.

Thanks for all that take the time in helping me.

 

I can't offer any trouble shooting advice, but I do know the transmissions want only Honda ATF or the exact equivalent. A basic power flush may help or certainly wouldn't hurt.

As for the 5mph thing without throttle.... what is the idle rpm in neutral?

 

I plan on checking the oil and seeing if it is burnt or possibly low. Good idea about the flush.

I was going to put that in the post but was not sure. So driving home the car ideals at just a bit over 1000 in neutral and when in gear it goes down to just below 1000 RPM. Should I look at backing my idle down to 750 in neutral?

Actually, I tested the speed without applying any gas, it made it up to about 10 mph in about 3 blocks. I think that it could go even faster without gas.


Modified by tjh2a at 3:36 PM 5/25/2006

 

Thanks for the reply. I forgot that a guy that I work with once had a 4th generation Honda and I was telling him about the problem and he thinks that I should check the fluid to see if it is low. Then add like a cap full of some type transmission additive and in a few days drop the pan and change the transmission filter. As he tried to explain is that most likely the transmission doesnt have enough pressure to engage, those causing the clutch to slip and then once it catches it causes the jerking.

If anyone disagrees please let me know.