Hi,

I keep complaining to Honda about the feel of the manual tranny on my 2001 Accord Coupe EX since I bought the car over a year ago. The shift feel is very inconsistent and it varies from one shift to the next – some are smooth, but some result in a rough gear engagement that is audible and can be felt on the stick, especially when shifting first to second, but also second to third. In these cases, there is a brief sharp resistance on the stick at the point of gear engagement, almost as if the teeth were very slightly misaligned. Cold temperatures tend to make the situation worse. I had the shifter cables re-adjusted and the tranny fluid changed to 10W30 synthetic with not improvement. In fact it seems to feel worse at low ambient temperatures.

This is extremely annoying and it kills the whole driving experience for me... Has anyone experienced anything similar? Any thoughts or suggestions?

Cheers,
Pete.

 

What i would do is to check out is there any recall/error on 5speed 01
but i doubted..since 01-02 known for bug free..

 

I would double check your 2001 and see when it was actually manufactured. I've seen cars that claim to be "200x" or "199x" or "198x" per the salesman and dealership and even paperwork actually be made in, for example 2000, while it was sold as a 2001. Your car's manufacture might be Feb - 2000. For example, when i was diagnosing a friend's RX7 emmision problem, upon popping hood I recognized his emmisions set-up was an earlier system even though his 'paper model year' should've dictated a newer system.

Look in the driver's door jam...there might be a sticker that lists the month and year of manufacture. Alternatively, you can call your dealer, give him your VIN number (on the dash), and see if that recall/TSB affects your car. Checking out the info, I do see a problem with the MT's on 2000 Ex's. (01-070 AUG 01 M/T - 5th Gear Grinds On Upshift). Good luck.

Here is the TSB set for the 2000 Accord EX 5spd...

Bulletins for 2000 Honda Accord EX Coupe L4-2254cc 2.3L SOHC (VTEC) MFI

Safety Recalls
TSB Number Issue Date

TSB Title 00-060 AUG 00 Recall - Lower Arms and Lower Control Arms Replacement

General Recalls
TSB Number Issue Date

TSB Title 00-053 JUN 00 Campaign - PCM Update

Service Bulletins
TSB Number Issue Date

98-061 NOV 01 A/T - In-Warranty Exchange Program
01-097 NOV 01 Instruments - Clock Does Not Light Up
01-092 OCT 01 Engine Block - Coolant Leak
00-017 SEP 01 MIL ON - DTC P0133 Primary Oxygen Sensor Falsely Set
00-088 AUG 01 Brake Discs - Refinishing Guidelines
98-011 AUG 01 Keyless Entry - Transmitter
01-070 AUG 01 M/T - 5th Gear Grinds On Upshift
01-026 APR 01 Steering Column Tilt Lever - Decreased Clamping Force
00-099 DEC 00 Wiring Terminal - Repair Instructions
00-095 DEC 00 Moonroof - Squeak Noise With Sunshade Open
00-080 DEC 00 SRS Unit - SRS Lamp ON/DTC 15-1 Set
00-088 NOV 00 Brake Rotor - Refinishing Guidelines
00-089 OCT 00 Supplemental Restraint System - Inspection
00-059 SEP 00 Rear Engine Mount - Thump on Cold Start
00-064 AUG 00 Windshield Molding - Warped/Deformed
00-063 AUG 00 Special Tool - Chassis EAR(TM), Diagnostic Tool
00-018 JUL 00 MIL ON - DTC's P0171 & P0172 Set
00-049 JUL 00 Immobilizer System - Type 2: Operation/Part Replacement
99-053 JUN 00 Immobilizer Key - Key Code Duplicator
99-018 APR 00 Required Special Tools And Equipment,
98-019 MAR 00 Audio Unit - Warranty Exhange/Out of Warranty Repair
00-015 MAR 00 Audio Unit with CD Player/Changer - Error Codes
00-032 MAR 00 Paint Codes
00-022 MAR 00 Torque Converter Oil Seal - Installation Tool
00-017 FEB 00 MIL ON - DTC P0133 (Primary H02S) Stored
97-015 DEC 99 Service Publications - Availability & Ordering
99-093 NOV 99 Wheel(s) - Clicking Noise
99-088 NOV 99 A/C, Heater, Temperature & Fan Control ***** - Loose
98-031 NOV 99 Aftermarket On Board Diagnostic (OBD) || Tester
99-062 OCT 99 Paint Damage From Environmental Fallout
99-075 OCT 99 Updated Troubleshooting - DTCs P1456 and P1457
99-074 AUG 99 Troubleshooting DTCs - P1456 & P1457
99-030 MAY 99 Recommended Materials
98-051 AUG 98 Special Tool Loan Program



[Modified by RotaryBzzz, 4:53 PM 1/26/2003]

 

01-070 AUG 01 M/T - 5th Gear Grinds On Upshift

look at that TSB, it's not a recall or warranty issue, but it's real. I've got it on my car.

and you may want to lower your expectations. as one member described it, the shifter feel of the accord is equal to a broomstick in a milk carton.

a short shift adapter will help some.

 

I think it's a common problem on honda's manual trann. I have the same problem but then again my car is a 1990. A friend of mine has a 2001 civic SIR and the same thing happens.

 

how many miles are on your car. Your car doesnt even get broken in till atleast 20k miles. When a vehicle is still getting broken in you might notice stuff like that. If you have that many miles and are still feeling weird shifts bring it to honda. Your warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

 

Hi All,

Thank you for all the thoughts. The car has approximately 20k on it, and it was manufactured in June 2001. Nevertheless, I will check the effectivity of TSB 01-070 with my dealer - maybe my car does not have it incorporated...

If this is the typical feel of the tranny than I'm very disappointed with the design - I don't recall having any issues with the shift feel on my 85 Prelude. Irrespective, I'm in the process of pursuing a solution with my dealer and with Honda. The biggest problem is finding a common reference since a "feel" is a very relative and subjective measure... What makes it worse is that my expectations are indeed high - I am an engineer.

Cheers,
Pete.

 

If the problems there honda will take care of it for no problem. I work for honda, and have seen a few new 5spd civic have tranny problems, and a whole hell of a lot of newer automatic accords and odysseys. At honda, when an automatic trans has a problem, we just replace the whole trans. If its a manual trans, it will get taken apart and repaired. Good Luck

 

Same here, I talked Honda and they said it could possibly be a bent shifter fork. I know they couldn't determine the exact problem because they didn't feel like dropping the tranny. A friend of a friend whos a mechanic says it could be my pressure plate going out. I have a new clutch / flywheel combo being installed soon, hopefully it will help, if not at least I'll get a mechanic to look around while hes in there.


[Modified by p0pe, 10:20 PM 1/28/2003]

 

mechanic cut the wires harnes both sides for a 2001 honda accord oxygen sensor??? Apparently, it was cut off (dumb mechanic) and now my engine light is on and will not pass smog we have everything we need except the color code for the 4 wires!!!! shops are charging too much for something that seems real simple. PLEASE HELP!! VERY APPRECIATED.

 

please start a new thread... this isn't even on topic.

to the OP: i i'm sure your problem goes beyond this, but i would recommend using Honda MTF instead of 10W30. 10W30 is an easily accessible, cheap alternative to MTF and works ok. however, Honda MTF should give you smoother shifts and longer trans life.