OK, so I've got a 91 civic DX 4dr.
1.5L motor, 4 speed auto.
It shifts terribly hard, feels like it's not developing enough pressure to mesh the clutch packs properly. it likes to shudder quite a bit on the 2-3 upshift.
Downshifts are good
TC lockup is good

The car was not well maintained when I got it. The trans fluid looks nasty. I'm going to be draining and filling the pan. I plan on driving with a mix of old fluid and new and see if I can't clean it up some. Next week I'll likely drop the pan and replace the filter and put some more clean ATF in it.

A few questions.
What trans is this, or can anyone point me in the right direction to a page with casting/part numbers. I'd like to identify it in case I need to rebuild it.

Do the Honda trans have a problem with the newer Dexron V blends? I've got some gallons of Dexron III stashed away for my Jeep transmissions, but I'd rather hold onto it if someone can tell me that the Honda AT doesn't have a problem with the new stuff.

Is there any way to adust the line pressure, I know it's usually done with a cable to the throttle body. Can someone give me the proper procedure for adjusting the TV cable?

other than this trans issue Iv'e gotten the old girl put back together properly and I've been driving it. Sure is nice to get 40 MPG out of a $200 car. I think that they ought to bring back this model, it's simple, light, and still gets better mileage than half the newer cars.

Thanks for your responses

 

The old 125c transmissions from caviliers and others they all had accumulators....if your trans has an accumulator it might be that because the accumulator acts as a shock absorber in clutch pack application. Im not sure if the civic trans has one though.

 

yeah, I'm not even sure as to what motor and trans are in it. I looked in the FAQ section and the page with the motor and trans info is no longer avaiable. It was liked to another site, allhonda.com or something like that.