Hey guys. I just bought a 95 Accord EX 4 Cylinder. Overall, it's a pretty solid car 152,000 on it. There are 2 issues I am having:

1)Idle problem- the engine will rev up and down, up and down, between 1000 and 2000 rps, only when put into park after driving. It does this no other time (maybe the TPS)

2)Shifting problem- I feel overall, that the tranny is strong. I know these transmissions are known for their fairly hard shifts, and mine is no different. There are a few times when I'm having some shifting problems (none of which occur if i come to a complete stop, and run the car right up through on a straightaway)

When I slow down to go around a turn (i'm still in 2nd gear at this point), make the turn, step on the gas, and it always downshifts into first gear, back into 2nd gear, instead of staying in 2nd and going into 3rd.

Also when I get cruising (in the 40-55 mph range), and let off the gas, sometimes the tranny searches for the correct gear (doesn't happen all the time).

Could these shifting problems be related to my idling problems and subsequently the potential TPS issue? The tranny fluid looks good, is not burnt. Thanks for your help.

 

Before doing anything verify that there are no stored codes in the ECU/TCU.
On your Accord, look behind/below the glove box door. Find the TWO wire blue connector, jumper it with a wire, turn the car to II(ON) and look for any blinking codes from the CEL or D4 lights.
http://techauto.awardspace.com/ecu.html

Most likely the FITV is loose and/or the IACV is dirty. There is a writeup at in the Accord FAQ at the top of the page on how to clean/readjust.
This could be a combination of issues.
TPS is unlikely as the TPS will cause a no upshift issue.
Check the cable from the transmission to the throttle body. It should not have any slack, but it also should not have any tension placed on it. When the throttle begins to open the cable should begin to lift the lever.
Verify that this is correctly adjusted. It can be over adjusted and look normal, this will cause some premature or late shifting depending on throttle input.
Depends, if it is hesitant to upshift it could be the shift cable is out of adjustment, two open ended 12mm wrenches will be needed to loosen/tighten the nuts.
If the cable is fine move on to the 'right side cover'. There are two magnetic pickups('NM' & 'NC') that monitor the shaft speeds of the transmission. These two sensors input to the TCU for correct upshift timing. They can pickup ferrous material causing the signal to lose resolution and the upshift may be erratic or feel incorrect for a given speed/throttle input.
http://techauto.awardspace.com/transmission.html

Downshifts are commanded by the VSS mounted above the differential housing, this too can become dirty and may need to be taken apart and cleaned to fix erratic or unwanted down shifts, however being the VSS is also used for the Speedometer I wouldn't immediately suspect it unless unwanted downshifts randomly occur and the speedometer acts erratically.
http://techauto.awardspace.com/vss.html

 

thank you very much for your reply, I appreciate it. I'm going to look over what you said above, and hopefully that will take care of my issues. I'll re-post with the results. thanks again

 

Can anyone post a picture or diagram of exactly where the NM & NC sensors are located? The diagram posted by Mad Mike helps, but I just cannot seem to find them. I'm not all that familiar with Accords, and I'm probably over looking them. Any help is appreciated.

 

See #15 and #16 in this pic.

 

I apologize, I'm still having problems finding them. See the picture of my motor here:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...103831_459.jpg

Is what is circled in red the sensors, or atleast the front one?

 

That is the "shift" solenoids.

Need to look more towards the pass side.....that pic I posted is the right end cover of the trans.

 

From under the car...pass side....look from the wheel at the trans, that is the "end cover"......then follow the edge of the end cover to them.

 

Best way to get to the sensors is to remove the right front wheel. It will be hard otherwise. They are located in the 'right side cover' which is the end plate on the right side of the transmission. It may require removal of the air cleaner intake tract to the throttle body for access to loosen the sensors. They can get stuck in the case pretty good.

Looking at your photo, check your battery connections. If they are loose and/or dirty it may cause erratic behavior due to a dirty/intermittent connection at the battery. Make sure they are clean and tight. It appears there is an auxillary feed coming off the battery, subs? Make sure the capacitor for the amp is correctly sized for the draw. Surges, power spikes and drain may also cause erratic behavior of the ECU/TCU if there is a momentary loss of power.

 

DP

 

Thanks, I appreciate the help. I have found where they are now, definitely have to maneuver a few things to access them.

 

Yeah I jacked up the car today to find the sensors, and I'll definitely have to remove the tire to get in there. Yeah I have subs, and I will check to make sure the amp draw is correct. The system was put in by the previous owner so I'm not sure about the specs. I'll re-post after I've cleaned the sensors with the result.

 

Just an update. The idle problem is fixed, turns out the air filter was dirty as heck. Put a new one in and no more idle issues.

Have not cleaned the tranny sensors yet. Will do that this weekend. Still having the problems when going slow around turns. I just take turns very slowly and have no issues.

The main problem i'm having now is when I get to about 50mph-65mph, the car shifts between 4th gear and OD (fairly consistently, but not all the time), like it doesn't know which gear it should be in. Has anyone else had this 4th gear/OD issue?