Hello,

I have a 98 honda accord automatic transmission, which has been having trouble shifting gears while driving, for the last couple of months. After I begin driving, it takes 5-7 mins usually, for it to shift gears between speeds of 20-30. Once it shifts, it is quite fine.

However, I have observed over the last few days, that if I turn the A/C on (heat), it gives less trouble, and usually shifts within a minute or two.

Is there any justification for this ? Usually, I have rather seen people mention trouble with shifting when the A/C is on.

Any comments are appreciated.

Thank you.

 

I have read this post a couple of times and I'm still lost. Not your post, but I'm stuck on this problem.

Usually i suggest pulling and cleaning the solenoids and replacing the filters that go in them. So I'm going to suggest that.

Other than that I'm kinda lost. Just buy a 5 speed next time you get a car.


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Does the 98 have the TCU like the 1990-1993? Perhaps something with the TCU if there is one?

 

Thanks for the replies. I will read more on what you suggested.

Would also like to mention that the check engine light is on, with the code P0740 (related to torque converter).


Please also note that, even if I turn the A/C on, it still takes some time to shift. (Without the A/C, it takes much more time.) Perhaps there is some problem with the torque converter, and turning the A/C on temporarily relieves that problem ? Is that even a possibility ?

Appreciate your help.

 

Either your torque converter is going bad or your lockup solenoid is bad/dirty. Pull the dip stick for the transaxle and check the color. Light red-almost dark red is ok and normal. Brownish and or whiteish is no good. Means your going to need a re build. If the fluid is ok looking drive the car around till it's nice and hot.

Wait a few minutes but not too long and change the fluid. Then pull the solenoids and clean them and the filters on them. That's a common problem on the fifth and forth gen accord's (90-97). The solenoids run 350 bucks each and they are a dealer only item.


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Does turning the A/C on raise the idle speed?
If so, will the car shift the same as if the A/C were on if you manually raise the idle speed(with your foot)?

 

Sorry, by idle speed, I guess you mean the rpm it displays (on the dashboard), when the car engine is on but the car is parked ? I checked today, and turning the A/C on *does not* change the idle speed.

Your second question talks about the shift, which I guess implies the car is driving? or not ? When I am driving (at around 20 mph) and press the accelerator, it does not switch into a higher gear. Keeping the accelerator pressed does not help . The rpm displayed in the dashboard becomes high, but the car does not accelerate. Rather, after a little while, it seems to go into a lower gear, and the speed drops. Following this, I have to start again from almost zero mph, and repeat the process till it eventually goes into higher gears.

If the A/C is on, the process is less painful, and it goes into higher gears much sooner compared to when the A/C is not on.

 

ttt..any more responses are appreciated.

 

Yes i mean shift as in when your driving. Your tb cable may also be too lose or too tight. When your under the hood you should be able to pull on the tb cable slightly with out pulling the throttle body open.


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Thanks for the responses.

I took it to the mechanic again yesterday. He pulled out several codes, including the ones for Torque converter, 2nd gear, 3rd gear.

He says the quicker shifting on turning the A/C on is just a co-incidence. He said there is no TB cable in the accord, and regarding the solenoid, he said he would not advise wasting money, but just go directly for a transmission overhaul.

He gave a quote of around ~1400 for a 1 year warranty. Does this sound like a good price to you folks ?

Anything else I should be careful about, if a complete overhaul is done ?

Appreciate your help.

 

If the car is in real good shape and has a good motor go for it. Make sure they install a magnaflow inline magnetic filter and Honda fluid There are others that some claim is better like AMS oil and Red Line. Do your own research. And make sure to do a drain and fill every 15,000 miles, app. 2.5-3 qts.

I now own a 2000 SE with 181K with nice red ATF and it still shifts great. Reading around here and searching google can really help with what has worked for others. Some even add aux coolers. B@M seems to make the best.

If the car is a V6 I would think twice if you plan on keeping the car. They had really bad transmissions.

How much do you love your car???

 

Yeah, is this the V6 ?

 

It is a 4 cylinder.

I do like the car, and would want to keep it for some time.
It has 156K on it, and I guess at around 180 it will need a new timing belt.

Apart from that, if the transmission is rebuilt now and works OK afterwards, hopefully it can last a few years. In any case, the condition it is in right now, I don't think I can get more than 1000 if I sell it off without getting the transmission repaired.

The mechanic keeps mentioning that 98-2002 accords have this known issue with the torque converter.

Since you point out the transmission fluid, any remote chance at all that just changing the fluid can solve the problems ? Especially since there are so many codes showing up. (For some reason, I did not try changing the fluid, since the mechanic has been sounding so confident right from the beginning that the torque converter is gone.)

 

Well shop mechanics are always going to sound confident when they are going to make a pretty penny off of you. Torque converter issues common in the accords? Haven't heard that one yet.

You can try and change the fluid yourself, it's not hard. If that doesn't fix your problem, then you know where to go next.


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Suggest you use Honda ATF. Using non Honda fluid has caused delayed shifts when cold. Turning on the ac, I bet that is heating up the engine and the trans fluid quicker.

Then you have to ask "why is this happening".....thanks to Mike for this little read: http://www.sonnax.com/system/pdfs/35...pdf?1320330979