I have a bone stock 2001 with about 125k miles and almost no issues until last week. On random occassions the car will jerk 4 or 5 times in very short intervals very quickly. It appears to happen when the automatic is shifting up during acceleration. I have only noticed it between what I think was second and drive but my wife indicated that it happens at lower speeds. Any suggestions??? The front O2 sensor heater element died several weeks ago (I should get a denso replacement in the mail today from Rock Auto) but I doubt that is related. I hope that this is not an indication that the transmission is about to go since i have passed the 100k mark for the recall. Thanks in advance.

 

Bad news travels fast.....[:@]

2001 Honda Accord V6 and 4 cylinder have accumulated quite a history of dumpy transmissions (when comparing topre-1998 year Accordsand the quailty of vehicle Honda is known for). Your short jerks during upshift is most likely what is referred to as transmission shudder. This symptoms usually start between 1st and2ndgears.

Some folksmay tell you that replacing the external pressure switches may help, but I have never seen this be aremedy to the shudder during upshift.

If you don't have the $$$ to replace the transmission, I would recommend changing /draining the transmission fluid and refilling with Genuine Honda ATF. Be sure to wipe the magnet off (at the end of the drain plug) while you have it removed. Then, drive the car a couple of days and drain the fluid again (with it warm) and fill again with Genuine Honda fluid. This entireprocess will only require about 6 quarts(3 quarts each time) of Honda Part# 08200-9001 or the Acura part# 08200-9001A. Either part number will work...They are the same (Honda ATF-Z1)

Once you have flushed the transmission and cleaned the magnet both times on the drain plug, then all you can do is treat the transmision nicely. The harder you acclerate, the more violent the transmisison will shudder at the upshift points.

If the shudder just started, this should buy you a little time...It is not a fix. Save up. You will most likely be replacing a transmission in a few months.

Hope this helps.
Ed Brian
Accurate Automotive, Inc.
www.accuratecars.com

 

I was holding off for a response from one of our Techs or Master Techs, but on mine, the problems started a week after I did a quad-fluid change. In 1 week, the car went from good to dead.

 

Whydo a "quad-fluid change" ifthe transmissionis ok?

There is nothing that you will drain out of a Honda transmission that willassist itin operating properly. Debris that is suspended in the fluid will do nothing but further damage a Honda transmission.

The only reason that I recommend changing the fluid twice is to wash as much debris out of the transmission as you can...By doing this, you will onlyextend (preserve) the torque convertor impellars and valve body.

In my original message I told you that you will need to baby this unit. There is no guarantee thatyour transmission will go another mile, but if it is shuddering on upshifts, it will only get worse.

Again, your best bet is to change the fluid a couple of times, wipe off the magnet on the drain plug and use only Genuine Honda Fluid (photo). Then drive it very nice. No hard acceleration during upshifts.

If you feel likeexploring a little, try this proceedurealso: afterdraining and filling the transmission a couple of times, remove theexternalvalve set under the distributor (photo)and check the screen underneath for metal debris. This screen is a metal mesh surrounded by a rubber seal and it is cleanable with a mild solvant. Incidently, if there is metal debrisin that screen, then save your money, a transmission will be in your near future.


Sincerely,
Ed Brian
Accurate Automotive, Inc.
www.accuratecars.com



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slightly un related but the same issue
i had a 91 Oldsmobile that did the exact same thing, transmission shuddering, it would also happen if i came to a complete stop and started going up hill or if i was taking a corner slowing down to 20-25and then accelerating.it did continue to get worse, as far as i know it never had a tranny flush and had gone 119,000 miles before it became a problem especially when i had it in drive as apposed to overdrive to keep it from making unneccesary shifts in city traffic
that brings me to yet another problem, when i would be in overdrive and hit 47 or so it would shift up and then if i gave it just a tiny bit more gas it would shift back down so basically until you hit 55 you had to leave it in drive or it would keep shifting up and then back down wearing itself out
now the car has been totalled so theres no fixing it but at least it was wrecked before i got the fluids changed!!!

 

Eureka... I changed the transmission fluid as suggested and the problem disappeared within about a week. I'm looking to trade it in as soon as possible since the dealer estimate for a transmission replacement is about $3000.

Thanks so much for your help.