So my Honda has a loud "clunk" noise (with a little rumble after it) happening when I shift it into Drive (specifically it's D4). It goes into Reverse just fine. It idles fine, drives fine, etc. It's just shifting from Park/Neutral to Drive. If I do it from sitting overnight, the car actually shakes a little. It sounds terrible and violent honestly. I took it to a shop and they said I need a brand new transmission but couldn't tell me what is wrong. Then I started looking online a little and saw a bunch of people mentioning it could just be the transmission mounts or something causing that same issue? I'm not a car guy. I do a lot of my own work though via youtube vids and such but I know very little about transmissions beyond very basic information. Mine is the 4 cylinder model.

Is there anything I can ask the shop to check out or is it a waste of time and I need a new transmission? I don't trust auto shops. I've been lied to more than once by different shops.

 

Get a friend and pop the hood.
Look at the engine mounts on each side of the engine bay.

Start the engine and shift the gear into park, Rev, and D4 (while holding down the brakes). Don't let the car move.
Do you see the engine shift a lot? Then its the engine mounts.
Do you see the rubber parts of the engine mounts separating (like a crack opening up)? Then the mounts are bad.
There is a 3rd one in the back bottom near the firewall. This could be bad, but look at the two top ones on each side FIRST.

If I remember right, the mount on the driver side is the Engine mount, while the mount on the passenger side is the Transmission mount.

Also... try checking the level of the transmission fluid just in case.

 

Thanks! I'll have to try that after getting it back from the shop.
Does the problem sound like a "mount" issue? Is the transmission mount I've seen people discuss the one you mentioned? It's not something under the car or something? I only ask out of my own ignorance.

 

It may or may not be a mount. That kind of noise overlaps... ( transmission mounts vs Transmission issue). Both noises can make a thud or a clank (one time).
The fact that you shift into first and makes the noise says it's either a mount, or it could be first gear transmission issue.

The transmission mount is behind the battery and under the air intake duct. The engine mount is on the driver side.
See the red arrows? Those are what you need to look at.

The reason I suggest looking at the mounts first is that it doesn't cost anything.

 

Thanks! I'll definitely check that stuff out first then! Much appreciated!

 

I think is the engine mount I had similar experience with my Honda accord 1998

 

So has anyone had an issue with that same noise happening randomly when coming to a stop?

 

Again check the mounts... and also check transmission fluid level.

If both are OK, then you need to have the transmission checked at a transmission place.

 

Noises are tough to diagnose over the web.

There is a really good video by ericthecarguy on finding suspension noises. Link below. In his example the motor mount was the issue, but the troubleshooting/inspection may help you find your specific issue.

 

Thanks! Will do!