I have a 1997 Honda Accord SE I just bought about a month ago. I noticed that it bumps a bit when it shifts gears. A family member has a 1994 Accord and it shifts silky smooth. So I took it to my local mechanic and he suggested an ATF change. We went through with it and it seemed better as I drove it off, nearly as smooth. The next day, it came back just as bad as before. But as I drove it around more, I noticed with the longer I drive it around, it goes away completely. But it comes back after the car sits and cools back down. I'd like to get rid of it completely because it's quite annoying. Any suggestions on what to do next?

 

Mine is the same way. It could either be the transmission bands, or the clutch packs. I mean I kind of just got used to it, but every once in a while I will reset the ECU (unplug the negative battery terminal for about 30 minutes) and usually that will make it better for a little while. It also depends on the load and throttle position for mine as well.

You have either the option of having it rebuilt, which may be a little on the pricey side, but if the car is in good condition, and you plan on keeping it for a while, it could be worth it.

Or you could just swap another auto trans in that you know is in good condition and won't give you the same problems.

Personally I am just going to swap the 5 speed in, but hopefully it all works out for you.

 

Damn. I was hoping the fact that it went away just meant I could put some Trans-X in there.

 

I did forget to add that before the ATF change it was just harsh all the time no matter the temp, now its just when it's cold.

 

Would the fact that I had an engine swap make any difference? I had my F22B2 in there before and it was swapped for the same model engine. The old F22B2's head was severely warped from a bad head gasket.

I read:

"Only for the computer controlled transmission. The transmission detects pedal dept via two points. One at the TPS and the other at the transmission. If the deeper you press the gas the less harsh it becomes then the problems lies on the out-of-adjustment at the transmission throttle cable.

Solution: Using a wrench, adjust the transmission throttle cable in small increments and test drive. Tip: The more the slack the harsher the shift."

source: http://techauto.te.funpic.org/transmission.php

Perhaps when the mechanic swapped the engine this cable now has too much slack? Or maybe it always did? I cant remember if it bumped before the swap.

Is this transmission throttle cable that they speak of the same throttle control cable that connects the throttle control lever to the throttle linkage near the air intake duct?

 

anymore thoughts on what this could be? because i'm really hoping it's not really needing to be rebuilt. I would've thought if the tranny is messed it would just be harsh all the time.

 

It's pretty normal for pre-'98 F-series automatics to shift hard, especially when cold. It can go on like that indefinitely.

A rebuild is out of the question. Harsh shifts are not necessarily a problem unless the trans is also flaring up between gears or shifting erratically. Just keep driving it until it stops moving - that's when you'll know it's bad.

 

I have 97 accord auto, since new, when speed drop under 25 mile/hr, the transmission bumps. Now it happens not as frequently as it was new. I am just used to it.

 

Well sometimes it does also seem to shift erratically. For example, if I go up a hill it seems to hesitate which gear i need when it starts to go up, then as i start to come down and want to coast i let my foot off the accelerator and the gear changes really late, like 2 seconds after letting go. my friends car immediately changes gears

 

That's normal. Grade Logic Control.

That's also normal.

Then he's got one of the exceptional ones.

60-70% of the '90-97 Accords I've driven behave exactly as you've described yours - and I've driven a lot of Accords.

 

I have a 94 Accord that also shifts hard and shifts at inopportune times. I also hear this in normal for 94-97 Accord. Hope this helps.

 

ALWAYS only use HONDA ATF trans fluid.

If you used some off brand want to be Honda fluid drain it and replace it immediately with Honda ATF fluid.

 

So, I didn't quite know how to adjust them or the tolerances but I wiggled the throttle cable and cable to tranny around and when I didn't know what to do I closed the lid and then after failing to know what to do, I decided I should just wait and have Honda look at them in a few days. Then I got in my car a couple hours later and the shift problems are now 90% gone just from wiggling the cables around and messing with some of the throttle levers with no objective. There's an occasional slight bump (nowhere near the bump I used to get) but I think I could get Honda to look at it for almost nothing considering I know what's causing the problem, I just don't know what to tighten or fix.

 

Not to bring this old post back to life but its how searching works right?? I have a 94 EX and I popped the trans, bought a parts car a 1997 EX to be exact, pulled and replaced trans and torque converter. This trans shifts harder then I like. Also knowing my car the rear motor mount has seen better days. Would this make it seem like its shifting hard when in all reality its rocking on the mounts???

 

Motor mounts will create a lot of vibration and probably contribute to the trans shifting, because now the entire motor is probably jerking a little while shifts.

For reference I have a 97 auto with 75k original miles. Since I bought the car it shifts somewhat hard. I hated it at first, but have gotten used to it. Once she goes, 5 speed anyways!

 

Two things, check the condition of your mounts and if you didn't already change the fluid in the transmission.