Please advise: With my "new" 2001 Accord Sedan, 4 cyl. VTEC, 67K mi., I am beginning to imagine why the 1st owner sold it @ 13K mi, and the 2nd @ 66K.
After owning and driving this car for several weeks now, I am noticing a 1st-2nd gear surging shift which is very noticeable and unnatural. It happens almost all the time when just starting out in the morning, and even happens occasionally when leaving a restaurant after heavy driving before, and a 30 min. rest. When it happens, RPM's seem to run up about 3x the norm, so that the next (only 2nd) gear, pauses to grab then does, in a very alarming way. The "bump-shift" in my '96 is NOTHING like this, so I'm concerned.

I looked over the Recalls/TSB's and didn't see anything particular, but I'm wondering if it may be a fault in the clutch pack solenoid for that shift command or something......just a guess. I'm considering an A/T drain/fill procedure on the cheap-side, but will accept a solenoid pack replacement if that's the culprit.

All problems cease after 5 mins. of driving (usually 1-2 problematic 1-2 shifts). Then, the tranny operates perfectly.....seriously......sometimes you can't even feel the gears shifting, even from 1st to 2nd.

And I ALWAYS let the car warm up at least 3-5 mins before taking off gently, but still have same problem. I never "get on it" early in the morning taking kids to school for the 6 block trip, and I experience this almost every time, no matter the morning temp.

It's very alarming when the tranny seems to slip while RPM's rise, then 2nd gear will engage with authority. I know this is a problem that shouldn't be happening, and hope an accurate diagnostic is available. Thank You!

 

New car to you.
Unless you know the tranny fluid to have been serviced recently I'd do, or arrange for, a tranny fluid drain and fill.
2001 yrs are reputed to have weak auto trannies so change fluid early and often, just like voting.
Just generic notice here - one of the mods may chip in with real specific recommendation.

 

Thanks, UhOh. I'm such a dummie. I never checked the tranny level, assuming no reputable dealer with a 105-pt. safety inspection policy would release a vehicle with low fluid level, especially the tranny. I checked it on the way to pickup 6 qts of Honda fluid to do my own drain-fill flush procedure and it was about 1/2 qt low. I'll see how it performs over the weekend and update.

 

I have similar problem on my 2001 accord 4 cyl all other gears work perfect if i feather the gas it is not as bad Ive changed atf twice once at honda dealer and elsewhere no help or change whats so ever

 

also happens when i slow down to downshift when attemping to turn