I have a 1998 Accord V6 with automatic transmission issues. The car has 180k miles and sometimes shifts erratically from first to second and during downshifts. When I try to pass on the interstate, the transmission sometimes has a violent downshift. If I baby the throttle it usually isnt too bad. I know it is going to get worse. I have heard the early generation v6 trans have alot of problems.

My brother has a 1999 v6 and I rebuilt the trans in it before I bought my car and it still has some of the same problems. When I took it apart I noticed the 2 gear clutch pack was dried up and the discs were almost toast. Also I noticed that one of the differential bearings was worn out most likely causing the screen to clog up. I put all new clutch discs and shims and replaced the diff bearings and screen. I didnt touch the valve body, i was scared to mess with.

Back to my car, I have changed the trans fluid twice since i bought it back in April this year. I used honda atf-z1 fluid. I also replaced shift solenoid C, the one above the starter, which didn't help anything. I really dont want to rebuild my trans because after rebuilding my brothers i am still not confident that will fix the problem. Any suggestions?

-This is my first post to Honda-Tech, so hi everyone.

 

pull and clean A + B solenoids or possibly replace

 

Thanks for the info, I will try that. What do you suggest to clean them with. Air, carb clean?

 

carb clean to loosen, air to clean and dry

 

Poss87 I also have a 98 v6 accord with the same exact problems, but now it sometimes will not shift into 4th gear. It shifts fine for the first 15 miles or so that I drive. Where are the A and B solenoids located? Thanks.

 

I'm having similar problems with my 98' Accord V6 and it now has 178k on it. The first thing I did was a fluid change. Not sure what fluid was used previously, but I suspect it was Royal Purple. Whether that's good or bad I don't know. I swapped it out with Valvoline Maxlife (claims to be a suitable replacement for Honda ATF Z1). I used the 3x3 method.

Just about all the advice I've seen says to use Honda ATF Z1 or DW-1, but it's expensive and wasn't available when I was ready to swap the fluid.

So far my transmission is shifting MUCH better and if I let it warm up for couple minutes I have no problems. Next i'm be cleaning the solenoids.

 

what is the 3x3 method?