Hello all,

New member here and first time Honda Accord owner.

I bought a used 98 Honda Accord from a coworker after my 2000 Saturn LS1 died.

I've only had the car for 2 days and am quite happy with it overall, but I have two issues.

First off, it's a 98 Accord EX with a V6 VTEC engine, currently has 125,000 miles on it.

So, here are my problems:

1. The wiper blades don't work. If I pull down the wiper switch in the "mist" position, the blades move, but they stop as soon as I release the the switch. Trying to use the switch to set delay wipers, normal speed or fast speed does nothing.

I thought it might have been the relay originally, but when I checked the fuse box, I didn't see a relay. So, now I am assuming it's the switch on the column, and am hunting down a switch from a salvage yard.

Anyone else seen this? Is it the switch?

2. The transmission

Research has shown me that the 98 Accords have a known bad transmission. The transmission works relatively well. It does shift hard between 1st and 2nd at time, and does it more when it's cold. The fluid has a brownish tint, and I am debating replacing it.

Will changing the transmission fluid possibly hurt the problem in any way?

If the transmission does go, and I need to replace it, how much work would it be to drop the transmission and put a manual in instead? If I am going to pay for a transmission swap, I figure, why put in one that has a known flaw, that will just go again?

 

I have attached the spec for the combo switch for both turn signal and wipers. Many suggestd to use Honda ATF fluid for 1000 miles and drain and put new fluid. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the spec. I bought a used wiper switch off of eBay for $35 and put it in yesterday. Wipers work great now.

The aftermarket Kenwood radio that was installed died on me last week and I had a new Sony put in with Bluetooth. It's great to talk to my wife in the car just by speaking in thin air!

 

Doesnt it feel great when you fix a huge issue with such little money? GJ op!!

As for the transmission just do the fluid change. I believe if people did the fluid changes when Honda recommends, we would have a lot less issues with transmissions. I just did it on my GF's '10 Civic and it couldnt be easier. Let me give you a quick run down.

Get a bucket or container that has the markings for quarts on the inside.

On the bottom of the transmission there is a round bolt that has the opening for a 3/8" ratchet tip, not a socket. Loosen that bolt and let the fluid drain into the container.
See exactly how much fluid drained out. ie, on my GF's car it was 2.5 quarts.
If it has a dip stick, you can fill through there, or there will be a fill bolt at the top. Add in the same amount of fluid that you removed.
Done, its simpler than an oil change.

 

A hard/slow shift from 1st to 2nd sounds fairly typical for these cars. Another thing to note about transmission fluid change, is that it's probably a BAD idea to FLUSH the transmission fluid. After the transmission has some age and starts to have slipping/hard shift issues, a flush can cause more harm than good.

Something else you could try is putting in a little Lucas Transmission Stopslip with your transmission fluid. Good stuff, and it definitely helped my Accord's transmission woes (before it became 5spd!)