1) Speed flucuates - randomly jumps up and goes to like 70/80 then back down to 20 or so (when i'm going 20mph)

---- I think this is just means I need to replace the VSS

2) Reverse is hard to get into, not impossible, but takes a couple times jabbing at it haha


---- Not sure as I've never owned a 5 speed before, would Syncromesh or a tranny fluid change help this? or is the R f'd?

3) Power door locks - passenger door makes a whirring noise when the lock is pressed and doesn't lock

---- I think this just needs the door lock motor/actuator replace?


Any help is appreciated, also can someone tell me what a VSS goes for?

 

if you don't have a CEL the speedo problem probably is in the speedo cluster, the digital to analog converter is dying. If the cruise control works the VSS is probably okay.
Try putting in some Honda MTF for the trans, or shift to first before going to reverse.
Those door lock actuators have a little plastic tab in them that breaks from the spring pressure, you can replace the actuator, or take it apart and glue in a shim behind the broken off tab. I have used little tiny washers, and 'goop' glue to fix them.

 

Gotca, the cruise I did not test but the light does come on and there is no CEL. So it would most likely be a problem with the actual speedometer rather than the VSS.

And I was playing around with the gears a bit, going in and out of each gear 1>2>3>4>5>R then 5>R a couple times and it's very hesitant to go in, my first thought was that the fluid need to be added or changed but I wasn't sure.

And the actuator sounds like that's the problem then?

 

You can prime the reverse gear by putting it into 4th a couple times then trying to put it into reverse. Honda doesn't use synchros on their reversing gears which is what makes it harder then normal to put it into reverse.

 

Ah okay, I suppose that makes sense. So check the fluid and then expect there to be a little hesitance into reverse? It's being checked out at Honda tomorrow with a "pre-purchase inspection" so I plan on asking them about it in any case as well as a compression check in all cylinders.

 

Yah, check the fluid level too. If it's only reverse that's your problem then it's probably just the normal thing of having no synchros. A lot people have trouble with them, but it cost tons just to engineer a proper syncho and gear set for a transmission and you're not in reverse often enough for most car companies to worry about it.

I looked into a price on the VSS but couldn't come up wit ha listing right away. http://www.slhonda.com if you're feeling more adventurous then me.

As for the power door lock, I'd wager it's the actuator, but I'd probably pull the door panel off and poke around a little bit first.

 

Alrighty awesome, yeah all the other gears are perfectly fine and didn't have much of a problem shifting into them. I'm going to guess from what you've said is maybe just top off the fluid level and maybe I'll do a flush and then I should be good to go.

I'm thinking it's just the actuator for the door lock but I'll play aroudn with it at first.

I may just replace the VSS as well and see if the problem happens again. I was driving around for about 20 minutes and it did it only once for like 2 secs in that period

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheMuffinMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Alrighty awesome, yeah all the other gears are perfectly fine and didn't have much of a problem shifting into them. I'm going to guess from what you've said is maybe just top off the fluid level and maybe I'll do a flush and then I should be good to go.
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I'd suggest a flush as it seems you either just got this car or you haven't done it in awhile.

Also, I'd suggest you use GM sychromesh in the place of genuine Honda MTF. I used to swear by Honda MTF and now I won't use anything but synchromesh, works wonders on Hondas for some reason.

Although I know that Honda just came out with some sort of reformulated MTF that is supposed to be better for the trannys so I'm kind of tempted to try that.

 

for question number 3. You need to replace your door lock actuator/motor. My old honda accord did the same thing and it was so annoying so I went to the junk yard and bought one. honda doors suck

 

Yeah I would be purchasing the car soon (within a week) but just trying to cover all the groudns before I get it on my hands.