My girlfriends parents bought a 1997 4dr Civic LX with 147k mi. at an auto auction, they did not get to drive it before they bought it. however, once they got the car it seems like first gear is slipping. all the other gears shift perfectly smoothly except first. Now i do not have much experience with auto transmissions so i am not sure, but i think it is the torque converter, and if so is it just worth it to swap the transmission for another one??? any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Roman

 

I'm not that familiar with the internals of automatic transmissions. However I do know that each gear has it's own clutchpack. It could be that 1st gear is worn out. How's the fluid level?

 

i have not checked the fluid level, but i was thinking if it was low, the transmission would shift poorly in every gear

 

anyone?

 

well I'm not sure what exactly it is (I'm one of those pple who usually has to feel problems to know 'em) but I'm pretty sure it's NOT the torque converter (not trying to be an ******* - it just doesn't sound like the torque converter).

Bense would probably know...unless his knowledge of trannys only extends over manuals O.o

 

yeah, check the fluid level, it even has it's own dipstick

 

fluid level is fine

 

anyone?

 

What's the transmission fluid look like? Is it clean looking? What does it smell like? If it has even the slightest burned smell to it change it out. I've had hard shift and slipping transmissions before. Changing the ATF most always makes it better. You might have to drain it, refill and drive it for a day or 2 then drain and fill again.

Use Honda ATF.

 

Well it shifts fine, it is just that 1st gear slips unless you really baby it

 

It cost like 12 to 15 dollars to drain and fill the transmission if you do it yourself. I guess you could all ways go for the swap.

Whats the fluid look and smell like?

 

slipping.. even on a straight away? or around a corner, a turn? also you give it gas and its like rrrrrr doesnt move sounds like its stalling out kinda but not a reving sound just its not accelerating, am i right?

do you have to wait it out? or let go of the gas pedal and hit it again

 

I changed the fluid and nothing. First gear slips on both straigt aways and corners, the engine sounds like a burnout the revs are climbing but the car is not accelerating. This goes away once the car shifts into 2nd.

 

Time for a new trans then. Had that issue in my Del Sol, went to the salvage yard and pulled a trans out of a car that was t-boned and it's going just fine

 

Hi,
you problem might also be the "Linear Solenoid Assembly"
See this link for information:
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/faqs/l/bl127e.htm
or google will be your friend.

* I had this problem last year with my 96-LX auto, I search a lot before I found a "Honda technical bulletin (TSB #00-012)" related to this problem. Since I change the solenoid, the transmission is running like a new one.

 

Where is the linear soleniod assembly located? anybody have a diagram???

 

Dude there are auto trannys being sold for like 50 bux at some places around here, just get a new one.

Check this out, scroll to the bottom.
I bought my motor from here, very clean.

http://venus-auto.com/monthly/special/special.htm

 

did not see any transmissions on there is the linear soleniod assembly located inside the transmission casing?

 

On this pictures,
that is #31
https://www.hondapartsdeals.co...3.gif

It's on the front of your trasmission.


To know how to test, unistall or install this part.
Find/dowload the Service Manual book for civic 96-98, and see section 14-107, 14-108.

 

where can i download????

 

Google is your friend.

or goto this page and find yours
http://forum.clubcivicquebec.c...14852

 

thank you

 

any check engine lights? is the D light blinking? i was also gonna say the "shift solenoid"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdeemseerx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">any check engine lights? is the D light blinking? i was also gonna say the "shift solenoid"</TD></TR></TABLE>
no CEL also D light is not blinking

 

there's a pretty good troubleshooting section in the helms for the AT transmissions. At this point I'm going to guess that it's a bad 1st gear clutch pack though.