Searched but can't find same problem I'm having. The car was running great and the following problems all started at the same time.

1. Can't shift out of park - I have brake lights - can't hear the shift lock solenoid click when applying the brake. assuming either bad solenoid or blown fuse (right?)

2. When you press the "sport" button on the shifter the "sport" light does not lightup - also possibly a fuse - or the same fuse (right?)

3. After shifting using second key in shift release it feels as if the transaxle starts off in fourth (or at least third) - very tough to get going. When I manually put it in second it feels like second but when I manually put it in first it still feels like second gear.

Are these all related since they all began at the same time? I'm just hoping that the transaxle isn't gone. I know it is controlled mechanically by a cable to set what gear is selected by the driver but doesn't it also get electrical signals (maybe from the ecu) telling it when to shift?

Any help is appreciated!!!!!

 

I am haveing this exact same problem in my 91 Coupe. Anyone know what is causeing this?

 

I'm going to check fuses and ecu code (if present) tonight. Will post results tomorrow. Until then anyone ever experience this besides tweeaks? Thanks!

 

it needs a trans controller,it is under the pass side carpet. controls the shift problems you are having,and the trans lock is also controlled by it.

 

yeah...........my '92 accord did that........but the problem just went away i didnt have to replace anything.........it was kinda weird cuz it did it for like a month

 

Well, see I have a 92 4 door auto also. I took the Tranmission Control Unit out of the 91 and put it into the 92 and I had no problems with it at all. The ATC ECU Fuse is good too.

Basically its not the ATCU for sure, becuase i used it in another car. So that is ruled out, the fuse is ruled out, unless there is another fuse somewhere. I checked the ATC/ECU fuse under the dash, and the ECU fuse under the hood. The only other thig I can think of is a short somewhere, but that should cause the fuse to blow....

 

Oh yeah, I also checked the inside of the "bad" ATCU and none of the resistors were blown or anything. Could it still be bad even though I put it in another car, and it ran fine? Actually it seemed to shift a little better with the "bad" ATCU.

 

If the TCM (you call it an ATCU) is good, then it must not be getting any power.
The TCM controls the park release solenoid as well as the shift solenoids.
Check ALL of your fuses bith ther under-dash fusebox, and the under-hood fusebox.

 

Pulled the ATCU and removed the cover - fried resistor in the lower right corner. Just like a picture posted by cmrvi1 I saw somewhere in this forum. I'm going to get one from a salvage yard (unless it's big bucks). I'll post the result after I replace it.

Thanks everyone for your posts. I never would have found this because my Haynes manual doesn't even mention it.

 

Went to the salvage yard I use. Their computer said the TCU must come from a 91 only. They only had one in a 92. It didn't have a "sport" button on the shifter. From what I have read 92 and 93 didn't have the sport feature. I took a chance and bought it for $25. It shifts the 91 transmission great. The only difference is the sport button doesn't do anything now. The sport light is always on when in D4 and off in any other shift position. I can't tell if it is in sport mode or not but I couldn't tell the difference with the original TCU.

I can live with it the way it is for the price.

Thanks again for everyone's input. Now I'll help the next member with the same problem when it comes up.

Great forum!!!!!!