Good morning. I am having some trans problems and was hoping someone would have some advice from similar situations or direction to go next.

1998, 2.3 auto. 261xxx miles
It has been running great, no slipping or harshness. Then about a week ago, I go to drive to work one morning and when it goes to upshift from 1st to 2nd, its like it doesn't engage second gear. It just free revs, then clunks into gear and keeps going. It does not do it all the time, but its pretty steady. No problems with the other gears, its just like it goes 1st - N - 3rd. Then coming to a stop, very harsh downshift back to 1st like shakes whole car.

Fluid is kept pretty clean, correct Honda fluid every so often ill drain the pan and put back in 3 qts of new. Doesn't smell burnt or anything. No leaks anywhere on trans.

I pulled a few things off of it to check, I have seen them called a few different things but the "Lockup Solenoid", pair of two solenoids straight up, and screens were clean. The "Linear Solenoid", the H shaped one with the three little tubes and screens. This one actually had a lot of trash in the middle screen, I cleaned it out good. And both "3 Way Shift Solenoids", the black and brown connectored ones. Both of these looked good. I also tested these 2, 12v test and they both clicked good, and resistance test and came up with .015 for both of them.

Only MIL stored was "P0730 Gear Ration Incorrect".

So, I know it has a lot of miles on it, but the suddenness of it made me think more towards a part failure, most trans I have seen go bad you know its coming, this was just bam one day acting up and every other gear works fine makes me suspicious. But, that being said I have no problems ordering a JDM transmission and putting it in, except I have read quite a few threads where people did that, swapped over all the sensors/solenoids, and still had the same problem because it was one of the external parts and not the transmission. That is what I am trying to avoid.

So any help is appreciated! Thank you for taking time to read this.

 

Can you read the dipstick? There should be a small plug dipstick to check.

I'm suspecting the lockup system is faulty , not releasing. Converter failure. That covers the code, from it locked when not supposed to be causing low incorrect rpm. Covers harsh downshift from it stuck in lockup and cause increased drag during engine deceleration.

 

The fluid level is perfect on the stick. And with the lockup system, you think the converter itself is bad, or the converter clutch solenoid? I have not tested that one yet, but planned to go over everything again this weekend since I drove it after cleaning the screens and double checking no new trash in them.

 

Start at the solenoid, but with 200,xxx I would think the torque converter has internally had it.

 

Thank you. And yeah I know its a strong prayer to keep it going, but I have no problem mechanically getting a jdm trans and putting it in myself. I just know you had to swap the sensors over, and I wanted to see if I could clear them before I did that. I did not want to put a new trans in, swap over all the sensors and have same problem. Im looking online right now, the prices are not to bad for the clutch solenoid and the b/c solenoids. I am going to order them and swap all three out, and if problem continues get a trans on the way. Thank you again, and ill update once I get them in if any change.

 

Okay my new clutch lockup solenoid came in today, and I got it put on. I will drive the car tomorrow and see if any difference. If not I will continue to the b/c solenoids next, but im hopeful this takes care of it.

 

Well initial drive it was flawless, I thought I was in the clear. But drive home it acted up. It does seem improved though, and feels different so maybe on right track. Either way, I have already ordered the b/c solenoids, I will replace those once they get in and double check the screens for the clutch lockup and H solenoids. The clutch lockup one was pretty dirt, and the H one had quite a bit too. After getting the b/c ones in and re-cleaning them all, if no change im going to order a jdm trans and then this will be a updated how to swap trans thread.