I just changed out a stock 1.5 motor is my 94 civic and its an automatic. Its the first time i've ever installed a motor and upon completion the car runs fine, no check engine lights come on etc. When I tryed to drive it the transmission will not shift from first to second until around 20 to 30 miles an hour and does so pourly. It was the same transmission i had before. Do I need to adjust the shift linkage since its an automatic or could I have torqued something up too much or what could possibly be the problem here? If I do need to adjust the linkage, how is this done? Any suggestions are helpful because im stuck.

 

Anyone?

 

hmmm...i thought this site was helpful...

 

I have no other advice other than to take it to an auto shop.

 

Make sure all the plugs are put in the right places. Go over your wiring on the trans and make sure it's all correct.

 

Is the fluid at the right level? Did some come out when you pulled the axles? Autos are picky about dumb stuff like that, which is partially why I and most people here hate them...

 

To check the fluid, have the car at operating temperature, be on a level surface, put tthe car through every gear and then most cars you either check the level in park or neutral, with the car running/ not running.
This may sound trivial but all of those things effect the level of the coolant in the tranny. So find out how to check it first.

 

You are right but I really hope theres no coolant in your trans. Lol

 

 

That thing is a pain in the *** to get perfect.

 

your **** is ****ed

 

Ya, i made sure I put it in after I got the suspension back together, made sure i added 3.9 quarts. Its sucks, im stuck, the only thing that i can even think of is the shifting linkage or where i didn't torque up the torque converter and flywheel bolts, just got them tight, but i don't think that one would affect it. I thought you didn't have to adjust the shifting linkage after installing tho

 

that would blow. haha. but its the same tranny i had before and it shifted fine though. F**k an automatic. lol

 

appreciate it. I never had to remove it from the center console, i removed it from the inside of the transmission casing, would this still cause it to need adjustment?

 

Do you know any illegal aliens who can do it for 5 bucks an hour, im lazy. lol

 

Lol, thats why Its been sitting this way for 2 months, untouched. I need to sell this bastard to makes some money, if i can ever fix it.

 

you might get more help if you change the title to HELP (auto transmission problems) instead of motor problems.. just a thought

 

When you took the trans out, did you mark the torque converter and the flex plate so you could pu them back together the same way they cam out? I don't know if this would cause your problem but I read in a manual that this was advised.

 

that didn't help me any...but thanks for your regards.

 

You got to start with the basics.
If it shifted just fine before you started the swap then the fault was inserted somewhere during your steps.
Your cluster lights should tell you if your in P N R D etc and should give you a good "feel" as to wether you need to adjust your shift cable.
Did you use the right kind of transmission fluid?? I've heard Honda trannies are picky. I'm sure you've let it warm up and checked the level, is it foamy or anything? To much is just as bad as not enough.
Is yours equiped with transmission cooler lines into the radiator? Are they tight, not bent?
Check all the fuses in both fuse boxes, everything is fused including the transmission.
The electrical connectors to the transmission, separate them and make sure you didn't have a pin back off on either side of plug, all should have the same depth. Look for pitting or corrossion.
Did you swap the wiring harness w/ the motor change, if so do the same checks with the ECU plug, make sure you get a good reseat when you plug them all in.
You say it does shift, but way late in rpm, you might want to check your vacuum lines associated with you MAP sensor, esp if you have an inline filter or check valve between the MAP sensor and the engine.
Another item that the ECU depends on for modulation control is you VSS or Vehicle Speed Sensor, it's located on the tranny and just sends a pulse to the ECU. It should have 3 wires, the black/yellow wire should have 12v on it whenever the ignition is on. If it doesn't recheck those fuses! The black wire is ground and should be 0v with the ignition on, but better yet also check it for continuity to ground, the other is like a 5v "pulse. You can test it by chocking the car good, putting it in neutral, jack up one of the front tires and give it a spin, should see pules on that other wire between 0 and about 5v.
If none of this gets you going...
Check and see if your "check engine light" bulb is blown or removed
That ECU is pretty smart and it's hard to believe it wouldn't give you some sort of error codes!!!
Goodluck!!!
Only four post's to go and I get to be member too!!

 

thanks, i appreciate it. Ill try some of that stuff this weekend. Im almost positive that it isn't anything with the ECU or the connectors because when i finished the swap the check engine light was on and I had to change where 2 of the plugs were connected on the motor. Im nearly positive that I put Honda transmission fluid in it too and i know i put 3.9 quarts in it too, but i can check that and make sure again tomorrow. I had a problem before because it was going into drive in neutral and all the gears were weird so i had to shove the shift linkage forward a notch, but i fixed that before too, so i will check a little more tomorrow. Thanks for trying to help me out. Congrats on finally getting enough posts.

 

lol