My daughters' 2003 Accord EX Coupe - 2.4L AT - around 103K miles. Notice a few times the following occurs:

Upon cold start, on flat surface, shift into 'D' - transmission just spins (car won't move) , shift into 'R', car runs in reverse fine, then shift back into 'D' - engages and runs fine .

Never occurs if car is shifted into "R" first then into "D" (such as when backing out of driveway).

Besides that when driving , all gears are shifting fine. Fluid level is good, and fluid is not smelly/dirty. We just purchased the car used this summer so are not sure on the fluid/maint/etc history on the transmission but we have not changed fluid ourselves yet.

Mostly the question is: is this a (initial?) sign of a transmission going bad or is this a sign of something else not as huge? And / or what do we do, besides take it and have someone look it over?

Thanks!

 

The automatic transmissions are a known trouble spot for sixth gen Accords (V6 more so than 4 cyl). Some seem to be okay and some aren't. The best thing you can do is to drain and replace the fluid with Honda ATF regularly. Mine is a little flaky with the "flare" 2 - 3 shift (especially when cold) but it's still going at 193k. I do mostly highway driving so I think it'll last a while. Yours sounds like the computer is getting confused for some reason. For now, I'd have her always shift into reverse before drive and see what happens.

Welcome to the forum...

 

Right, except 2003 is 7th-gen & the 4-cyl transmission isn't a carryover.

Without maintenance history, you don't know whether the ATF is Honda fluid?? ATF & steering fluid are the 2 places where Honda fluid is important.

 

Correct - I do not know if the current ATF fluid is Honda fluid or not. I can try a few drains and fills to try and swap it out if that would make a difference...That's certainly a do-able task. Do these have a replaceable AT Filter as well I should consider - thought I had seem some folks replacing them? I'm just a bit puzzled on the symptoms here.

 

X2, check the fluid and regardless of condition, drain and refill with Honda fluid (3qts.) about 8 bucks a qt. Cheaper than a tranny replacement.

 

Ah, yes, they do have a filter: Honda part number: 25430-PLR-003, easy to change, sits on top of the trans behind where the dipstick goes in.

 

Oops, sorry, I forgot gen 6 ended with 2002. I don't know if they got all the issues fixed for gen 7 or not.