Im not an auto tranny expert, never owned one, this is a buddys car. what does it mean when if shifting from 1st to second theres a thump/kick. Its more pronounced when the car is cold, but all the other gears shift nice and smooth. Fluid level is high and looks nice and new.

 

Might have the wrong fluid type. Most older Honda automatic transmissions require Dexron II. (Today Honda also specifies their ATF for use.) Dexron II is obsolete and hard to find, so Dex III is used as the replacement. (Honda ATF also)

Some cars will experience a harsher shift with Dex III as the replacement when cold, so that is not abnormal, but this is not the only thing that can cause that. Worn out axles can also cause this, especially if the axles are high mileage. Shift the car from drive, into reverse, and note any clunking of the car when the shift is made. The clunk it produces should be louder as the shift is delayed while driving if the axles are suspect. (Shifting at 4 or 5k rpm's instead of 2 or 3k.) Shifting while driving downhill can also hide this problem, as the terrain will help maintain speed and prevent the wheel from slowing down enough to uncover the clearance in the joint. Uphill it should be just the opposite, at its worst.

You can jack up one tire and while in park, turn the wheel one way until it stops and hold it, then place your hand on the inner joint of the axle to prevent it from turning with the rest of the axle, and slowly wiggle the tire. If the joint remains stationary and the tire is turning a small amount, you have play in the axle, and a worn out joint is the cause. When this is the case you can also feel the joint hit as you hold it an turn the wheel. You can do the same on the other side of the car as well. This can be done easier with two people, one holding the inner joint under the car, and one holding/wiggling the wheel.

 

thanx for the good info, i doubt its the axles cause i hit the gas hard and when it shifts into third its nice and smooth.