The trans died in my wifes wagon friday night. The bad part is we wree on our way to her parents house in Williamsburg when it happened. We made it to her folks house, but the trans is completely shot.
The trans whines on startup and continues while the car is running. First gear takes about 4 seconds to engage coming out of park. Second gear slips the entire time, and it refuses to shift into third. I flushed the trans twice with no luck.

The bad thing is I changed the fluid in the trans last June before we went on a road trip on Route 66, and we onl.y have about 15K miles on the Honda fluid that was in it.

I think its strange that a trans with less than 120K miles and with relatively fresh fluid would dis suddenly.

Anyone have some suggestions for sourcing a trans? What other models can I look for to find a compatible trans, and what is the average time for swapping out an auto for an auto?

 

Just source another 94-97 Accord Auto trans for your wife's Accord for simplicity as I know you're not trying to make it fast or anything. Just make sure when you do buy one that it comes from a low mileage wreck car. I don't mean to say 30K. When I look for engines or trans, anywhere from 120K to 150K is ok to me. As long as its a known working condition part then I'm good.

 

What models and what years can I use a transmission out of? I am new to Honda auto's, and I see a lot of different codes for transmissions for the F22 engine.

Jake

 

The other thing you may want to consider is rebuilding your tranny. I suggest this because it's difficult to know how the used tranny was used and it may have damage that can't be seen. Good luck.

 

Agree'd my sister just purchased a car that was driven by my aunt less than 2 weeks ago and when she went to pick it up and drive it home it died due to bad circuits.

 

I agree that rebuilding the transmission would be the optimal route, but I can't afford the cost of a rebuild right now. So a used trans is my only option.

Jake

 

Direct bolt in would be '94-'97 Accord, Prelude and Odyssey. But they in themselves have differences due to gear ratios. The most conservative are the two Accord versions which are Sedan/Coupe and Wagon. The Wagon has a slightly lower final drive ratio than the Sedan/Coupe, but same gear ratios 1-4.
Depending on which Prelude, that too will have different gear ratios, Si/VTEC/S models have different ratios due to the different engines F22/H22. Odyssey shares similar, if not same, gear ratios and final drive as the Prelude
http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showpost...90&postcount=2

Running out the door, so I just posted that link for you to mull over.

 

Mad Mike,
Thanks for the information. That gives me a wider search parameter.

Jake

 

Jake, you might look at JDM-online.com. They import trannys, engines from Japan. Bought a tranny from them several years ago for a Camry - it's still running well.

 

I found an Odyssey trans with low miles for cheap. So it appears that the wagon will have better acceleration with the lower gearing.

Would I need to change the TCU?
Jake

 

It will work with the Accord TCU, that's what the EX is doing. I would think that the TCU would control shift points better to accommodate a given vehicle and weight.

One thing to keep note is the engine will have a higher cruising rpm from original.

Prior to installing the transmission have the cooler in the transmission flushed. There may be material from the damaged transmission inside. The radiator on the EX **** the bed when I was replacing the transmission so I just replaced the rad.

There are some differences between the Ody and Accord transmissions. There are a few brackets that can be omitted from the Ody trans for use in the Accord, and the Ody has a shift indicator switch on the side cover that the Accord does not use, which can be removed. There will be a small exposed shaft left.

 

Mad Mike,
Thanks for the info. I'm relatively new to Honda auto's and this is my wife's car, so if I screw it up I will never hear the end of it.

Jake

 

Mike,
One last thing. Will I need to change the flex plate or torque converter?

Jake

 

Mike,
One last thing. Will I need to change the flex plate or torque converter?

Jake

 

If you can get the drive plate that goes w/ the Oddy trans. Like Mad_Mike said your fuel mileage will suffer as the Oddy trans has a lower final drive ratio.

 

You will use the TC that came with the transmission. You never reuse a TC out of a bad transmission because it can become contaminated with friction material or metal particles from the failed transmission. Also you may not know exactly what caused the transmission failure, it may have been the TC itself. No point in reusing a questionable part.

As for the flexplate, Honda calls it a drive plate, they do differ in diameter. Safe bet would be to snag the drive plate off the Ody if you can.

You could also measure the gap from the TC to the case radially on the wagon, and again on the transmission you are looking at. It will be pretty obvious if they are the same diameter.

 

Mike,
I had no intentions of reusing the TC. I just wanted to make sure that I have all the possible bases covered before I dive head first into this project. I want to get it back on the road ASAP. I miss my Outback.

Jake

 

Update: The JDM place I ordered the trans had a BOYA that I got instead of the Oddy trans. Now, less than 30 days after install, the replacement trans has crapped out. It quit pulling when my wife was taking our boys to school. Before that it was operating fine.
I did have an issue with the D4 light flashing, and the code pointed to the VSS. I took the VSS off of the old trans, but the light continued to flash.
So, I am now considering a 5 speed swap.

Jake

 

Unbelievable! That has to be incredibly frustrating. I feel for you Bro.