4 cylinder, 155,000 miles - torque converter lock-up has gotten very delayed or not occurring, this after air temperature has dropped to 50 degrees or less. All other shifts are fine. Does this trans have internal filters or solenoid filters, and can a shadetree mechanic change them?

 

First....the tran in the 5th gen are solid, so yes "something" else is causing the issue.

Have you changed the fluid with Honda fluid recently? If not, I'd do at least two drain and fills of the trans (drive a few miles between changes) and see what you have. PLEASE use Honda trans fluid.

You might want to note where the temp gauge is sitting when lockup happens vs when it does not. The ECT feeds the ecu and tcu temp readings and if they are not right then lock up may or may not happen. This could be caused by a t-stat sticking open or bad readings from the ECT.

To try to answer your question.....there is a screen filter WAY inside the trans, you'd only see it by rebuilding the trans.....so no real serviceable filter. There are some "screens" for the shift solenoids. There is also the throttle control cable that runs from the TB to the trans.

But in the end.....this only happens in "cold/cool" temps.......old/wrong fluid or poor temp readings (t-stat or ect) are where I would start testing.

 

Check for codes. There are some codes that do not cause the D4 light to flash while driving. Your car is OBD2, so stop by a parts store and have them scan for codes.

Or you can check the OBD1 way. See the common diy thread on top of this forum.

 

Thank you for your replies. One fluid change by the dealer seems to have helped, I will follow the suggestion to do 3 changes over the next month. The trans cable that connects to the throttle seems a little loose, is there a spec for its tension?

 

ps there were no codes

 

There is a link to a manual you can download that will show the proper movement/adjustment for the cable - https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...threads-40780/

Also, for the fluid. If you've had one done, I would only do two more. Please use Honda Trans fluid when doing this.

 

Thank you - I will follow up on all this, including the fluid change. The torque converter lock is working, but seems engine temperature related. I have a code reader hooked up, there is no lock-up until it hits 180 degrees, then it engages and the tach and speedo readings are in synch = no slip. It takes, in 30 degree air temp, about 10 -15 minutes for the engine temp to get to 180 at 55 mph - which seems too long. Could the thermostat be partially open too soon?

 

That is the TCU/ECU working.....yes no lock up until all conditions are met.

It is a hard call on the T-stat sticking open....at 30 and you prob have the heat on and to max and then at that speed (lots of air flowing thru the rad)....is 10~15 minutes too long????? I really don't know.

A new t-stat and gasket from the dealer - yes I like the t-stats from the dealer vs aftermarket - isn't that much......$17. But you have to decide.....if you do "city type" driving, does it get to temp quicker?

 

Thank you - I am going to flush the cooling system & replace the thermostat first. My code reader shows the temp slowly (10-15 mins) getting up to 179-180 degrees at 50-60 mph. At that point, the torque converter will lock up, but definitely not before reaching 180. With ambient temperatures in the 30s, its taking too long, and this did not happen before this winter. City driving is slow heat-up also. I'll post what happens once I change the thermo.

 

Agree on T-stat. Sounds to me like it's sticking open; not closing completely when it's cold.