Hey guys, I have a 98 accord that developed a problem. When not in gear, there is a grinding noise (like metal against metal type of a grind) from the transmission. It's definitely coming from the transmission, took it to a Honda dealer to confirm.

Another issue is that most of the times the torque converter wont lock up either, unless I drive the car like crazy for a while (redlining), then all things are normal, except for the grinding noise when not in gear.

Any ideas whats going on?

Car has 196k miles and the last time the tranny got new fluid was around 170k, but not at Honda at Jiffy lube

 

Anyone have any ideas or at least point me in the right direction?

 

Looks like I've read plenty of information online, including here, to know that this is a very common problem. I am going to go to a Honda dealer tonight where my friend works and we're going to do a full trans flush...BTW, Honda doesn't use power flush, they have 2 big tubes, one with new ATF and one is empty. The torque converter does the pumping.

I'll also find out what ATF fluid they actually use, they obviously buy it from somewhere since Honda doesn't manufacture oil.

Even though no one replied, I'll keep this thread going to provide additional info to those who may have the same issues.

 

Sorry but I don't have any answers for your question. Thanks for keeping us informed regarding Honda tranny fluid. I will be doing a drain and refill of my son's 91 Accord auto trans this week. I picked up three litres of fluid and a crush washer from the dealer yesterday and they gouged me $36.71.

 

As I was expecting, changing the fluid didn't do anything for the noise. It does shift smoother and feels like it actually accelerates faster, not sure if that's just the feeling, but I am pretty sure it does. But the noise nevertheless is still there. Looks like my tranny is about to bite the dust.

 

Does anyone know if the older accord tranny's were better than Gen 6? I know that those trannys will fit, although I am not sure what all needs to be done to make it work. Or perhaps an H22 one will work better.

 

98-02 4spd ATs have known issues, overheating TCs and the like, mostly due to insufficient flow from the PR valve, this will cause no flow through the cooler and cause the transmission to overheat. The problem occurs below ~1200rpm. Have your buddy check for correct pressure and flow through the cooler.

90-97 Transmissions are not interchangeable with the 98-02 cars. 98-02 are fully computer controlled.

 

I am assuming that it may be too late now to do anything other than to drive it till it dies or replace right away, or could fixing the PR valve fix the problem?

 

Sounds like you have some needle bearings going or gone out. So the more you drive it the more damage is being done. If your hearing grinding noises there not going to get any better.

 

If after testing there is lack of flow through the cooler, it is most likely the PR valve is over correcting and blocking flow. Sonnax sells a fix for this. However, the problem with Honda ATs is the only way to access the PR valve, which is in the valve body, is to remove the transmission and disassemble it. It is not like conventional ATs where the valve body is readily accessible via a pan.

 

I'll have the flow tested this week hopefully. But my question is this, regardless of the findings, isn't it too late for the fix since the transmission is making that grinding sound?

 

The goober thing about Honda ATs is they are not end user friendly. Anything outside of a shift solenoid change or fluid replacement requires the transmission to be pulled.