I have a 1987 Honda Accord with automatic transmission and it has a very strange problem the car has 187000 miles never had any major repairs just minor stuff and I hope some one can give me advice on what could be wrong and what to check. When driving on leavel road the transmission does does not go into overdrive but when I get to a small hill and press down on the accelerator just a little it will shift into od after reaching top of hill and let up slightly on the accelerator it will shift out of od also if driving level road at say 55mph and press down on accelerator it will shift into od and stay till I let up on the gas, seems to work backwards from the way it should, car has been like this for quit sometime but with price of gas getting so high I would like to get better gas milage thanks for any help.

 

Sounds like it might be the cable from throttle down to trans. I don't know how the older ones are supposed to be setup, but there's a few guys around here who DO know. Search for transmission cable maybe something'll turn up?

 

Jim-The set up is much the same as the "newer" ones.

jajals2000- Check the fluid level as well, I'm sure you already did but it doesn't hurt to ask. There is a manual you can download-search the DIY section...I'll hit the highlights....There should be about 2mm freeplay at the trans end of the throttle control cable. Check and adjust as needed. Once adjusted, warm the car up...cable should move just as the engine rpm's move...too soon, loosen lower lock nut...too late, tighten lower lock nut....Is this a DX, LX or LXi?

 

Thanks for the help guys and this is a DX i am working on