Needing expertise with 2002 LX 2.3l transmission issues
 

I have a 2002 LX with 116,000 miles. It's a 2.3l 4 cylinder.

​​I've owned it since it had 55k miles and I've kept up all services and maintenance. I bought it used from a Honda dealership and saw all the service records. It had been kept up very well.

I've been running Mobil One synthetic engine oil since I got it. At the last oil change, I switched to the High Mileage Mobil One. A few weeks later, I noticed an oil leak at the base of the distributor. It got oil on the engine and several of the electrical connections below the distributor. I replaced the distributor and the leak is gone.

It may be unrelated, but this is exactly when my transmission issues began. I figured one or more of the transmission solenoids or sensors got fouled by the oil. I took each of the connections apart and cleaned them with electrical contact cleaner and put dielectric grease in them.

The first issue I noticed was when it turned off cold (around 32 degrees). When I backed out of my flat driveway and put the car in drive, I could feel the transmission slowly.... And firmly going through the gears with my foot on the brake.

I got a P0705 code. I ordered a new neutral safety switch and installed it carefully, per the service manual, being careful that the car was in neutral and so was the switch.

It has made no difference.

My car was due a transmission oil change, so I did the three time, drain and fill procedure with Honda DW1 oil.

The car is still shifting weird, and occasionally while driving.... But ONLY for the first ten miles in cold weather.

There has been NO SLIPPING while in any gear.

Just the occasional sluggish shift while driving, until it warms up. And the weird, going through the gears when put in drive slowly, thing.

When the car is warmed up it drives and shifts perfectly.

I'm at a loss as to where to look or what to do.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!