hey guys. So my girlfriends 99 accord ex 2.3 auto started having shifting issues and after replacing all the solenoids to make sure, it looks like im swapping trans in it. Now this is my first time replacing an automatic trans. i usually work on manuals. I got the trans unbolted and started sliding it out. I can get it about 6" away from the engine until im wedged against the frame rail with it. The torque converter is still up against the engine and the trans is sliding off on a shaft but cant get it to come all the way off it before im stuck up against the frame with it. What am i missing? i cant drop it down any more. Is the torque converter suppose to come off with the trans? if so how do it get it to come free of the engine? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Like i said this is my first time messing with an auto trans :-P

 

the torque converter is bolted to the flywheel with 8 nuts. remove them and the tc will come off. you will want to pull it off with the trans.

 

ok thanks. I should have enough room to get in there and unbolt it. hopefully then it will allow the trans to come free. unfortunately i was gonna wrench on it again tomorrow but they are calling for snow again here in NJ... it was just 60* 2 days ago

 

got to love that! im in ohio so I know how you feel. I do recommend though to at least mate the trans back up to the block with one bolt and then unbolt the tc so you don't have any binding issues. i.e. having all the weight on the tc mounting nuts.

 

ok good idea. I guess with the trans bolted to the motor the way your suppose to access the TC bolts is via the bottom inspection cover? also im assuming that's how ill install the new one? put TC on trans, slide it onto engine and bolt the TC to the flywheel through the inspection cover?

 

yes, keep the tc with the trans at all times and bolt up through inspection cover. of course put at least one trans to motor bolt on to hold the trans in place.

 

awesome thanks. the JDM trans im getting comes with the torque converter installed. do I still need to pull it off to fill it with fluid? if so how much do I put in?

 

filling it with fluid would be a good idea and put as much as it will take. leave out a little so it doesn't make a mess when you try to put it back on the trans.

 

ok not sure if you saw my other thread yet. its all in and done. how long should it take the fluid to circulate? it takes it a bit for drive and reverse to engage then they clunk in a bit. and 2nd is a bit jerky too. you think its just because it needs more fluid or to circulate more? how much should the trans take?

 

i don't know off hand but make sure you cycle through all the gears to thoroughly circulate the fluid. it should be in the accord faq sticky i believe. if not, google im sure knows.lol
its also good to let the fluid soak in the clutch packs for about 30 min or so.

 

ok I think I read somewhere on here it takes 2.8 qts so I put that in it and seems on. Its gonna sit for the rest of the night because its dark and raining and im beat lol hopefully tomorrow it gets better. I do have an extra shift solenoid I can try too. other issue I have is a high pitched like whistling noise. sounds like a tea kettle boiling. only over 15 mph. gotta be in the brake or axle or something. just cant picture what would make that noise

 

same here in ohio. this new noise come with the new trans or was it there before?

 

wasn't there before the trans swap. actually took it around the block once and then it started making the noise

 

not sure on that one. seeing as you had so much apart to get the job done it could be a few things. best thing is to go over your work and make sure it has nothing to do with suspension or axles or anything.

 

When my auto went in my 99 accord 2.3 lx went I found it to be easier to pull the engine an trans an seperate them while it was out I was very easy to pull this engine but I was also swappin from auto to manual.

 

well a few days later and the shifting is still rough :-( also the squealing noise is still present and it is also now leaking toward the back of the trans somewhere... feel like I cant win with this car :-(

 

ok so we were still having some issues with it clunking into drive and reverse. i swapped out the solenoid under the battery area and it took care of that. then after another day of driving my gf said it was acting up again and the CEL came on. finally got a chance to work on it again today. got it scanned and got the dreaded p0740 and a P1378 i believe for the 2nd lock up solenoid. turned out it was just unplugged so plugged it back in and took it for another drive. still getting the p0740 code :-(