'91 Accord automatic tranny seems to start out in Drive. If you start in 1st, it seems to take off OK. But there is no shift between 1st and 2nd, only until you go to 3rd does it shift. It seems to only have 2nd and 4th gear. The Sport light blinks, but it won't display any codes when I short the diagnostics connector. I've read about TCM problems and shift solenoid problems but nothing for sure about either. When I look at the tranny, it looks like the solenoids are mounted in pairs on the front of the tranny. Any ideas on how to test the solenoids and/or TCM to isolate the problem?
It's an EX model, 1991 with 155,550 miles. I've been shifting the car like a manual, will this hurt it? Thanks,

 

if the s lite blinks you should be able to get a code ..you are shorting the proper connector ?? ( do not mean to insult you ) ..the blue 2 wire connector ? located under the rt side of dash , below glove box, by the kick panel ...

shifting like a manual is ok .. you should not cause any harm.....I am assuming you got planty of fluid in the tranny and it is clean ??

try this........ unplug the connectors at both solenoid ( lock up and shift) ,, with a small needle nose plier GENTLY twist the male connectors in both plug,,,,
remove the solenoids ( 10mm bolts ), take a look at the metal screen , if it has metal on it the tranny is starting to wear internally,, if it has clutch fiber could be a normal wear of the clutches , depending how much fiber there is,, Anyho,,,,,,clean both metal screens, if you have access to compressed air, blow into the passages in the tranny,, put all together and retry

But again as i said earlier,, you should be able to read the code ,, it would help us diagnose it better

 

No offense taken, yes I am shorting the blue 2 wire connector to try and receive the codes, but the Sport light flashes continously once you turn the key on, with or without the connector shorted. I pulled both pairs of solenoids off and the screens had nothing on them, real clean. Checked the connector ends and I have to assume they are making contact when plugged in. Took for a test and no change. Every once in a while, very seldom, the tranny will shift normally starting out in D4. The only shift I seem to detect is between 2nd and 3rd. It's my daughter's car, so I only get to drive it when it's broke, which usually isn't very often. The fluid level is fine and the fluid was changed recently. Is there a way to reset the TCM and/or would that do any good?
If it was OBDII, I'd plug my computer to it and diagnose it, but stuck with shorting test connectors.
Thanks for the help,

 

without the code its tough, but if the vss is bad the tranny will shift erraticly

 

i have the same problem. and 99% of the time its TCM. they go bad in 90-93 accords. and for some reason preludes. dont worry about replacing the solenoids its just a waste of money and time. but like desert honda said check them and make sure there clean beacause my tranny is coming apart also because of the erratic shifting. it will only help you in the long run. and for you to spend 300 dollars on a solenoid is pointless. hope you get it fixed, you can find a cheap used TCM for about 100-200 bucks,or get yours rebuilt for 400, or buy a new one for 500. just make sure the numbers match. another thing you can do to temp fix it but you have to do it every day, unplug both connections to the TCM under the passenger floor (I assume you know where it is but just incase) and turn the key to the on possition let it sit for about 5-10 min. then plug it back in and let sit for the same amount of time to let the values reset. turn the key off and wait about 30 sec. then start the car if the problem is still there its either fried or it really is your **** solenoid. the only way to be sure is to get it checked by a specialist. i dont trust some honda dealers. but the choice is yours. hopefully this helps.

sincerly, JOE.

 

I'm ready to try anything, I'll try resetting the TCM like you said, but so I understand correctly, do I leave the key ON through the whole procedure? Not sure if I'll do more damage by unhooking and hooking up with power/key on. Is the TCM under the pass seat? Thanks for the advice, maybe this will produce a code afterwards,

 

Tried unhooking the TCM, didn't make a difference. The VSS is new, went out a few months ago. The "SPORT" light starts blinking as soon as the key is turned on and gone through its checks. Still no codes. Any info on sites that sell good, dependable used TCM's?

 

yes to leaving the key on during this procedure. after you plug it back in turn the key off and wait a few seconds then turn it back on. it should work if not than theres something im not familuar with. i had the same problem on my 91 with the sport light blinking. i never figured it out.

 

I removed the TCM and checked inside for "burnt" componets, everything looked OK. Went through the "reset" procedure for the TCM, but no change on the shifting problem. One last time, I checked for any codes, and I believe it is showing a "7". The first blink is about half as bright as the 7 blinks that follow it, so I'm not sure if it is giving me a "7" or a "8". I just need to find what the codes mean now.

 

could be torque coverter has failed on the unit. IF your converter fails it will act just like you are describing.....