Hey everyone. New to the forums here but not new to the Honda world. I just picked up a 2000 Accord LX with 240K on it for a daily commuter. This is my 5th Accord, and my 10th Honda in general over the past few years, but the first one I've had issues with that I don't know much about. I've tried searching the forum but am not great at searching for the right terms so I'm not quite finding what I'm looking for. What I have going on is a flare when shifting from 1st to 2nd. I've only put about 75 miles on the car since I bought it so I don't have much more info. It was 1/2 quart low on fluid when I brought it home. I topped it off just to make sure that wasn't the issue. It had a 2-3 flare as well but it seems to have gotten better since it's now full on fluid. Any info on this would be appreciated. Just looking for what to check, test, remove, replace, or whatever to determine what's going on with it. Would like to see if it's something simple before rebuiding the transmission. Thanks in advance.

 

what do you mean "flare" do you mean it slips?

 

Yeah more info on your flair would be good.. and always check tranny fluid when fully warmed up. Unlike oil tranny fluid expands when warm so you could be half a court low when cold and perfect when hot. It took me a long time to get mine exactly right. Mine is at the bottom of the line when cold and when hot its completely full. I was having problems with it when i first had it .when it warmed up cause it was way too full cause I filled it cold. Also new tranny fluid expands more then old used fluid

 

It doesn't act like it's slipping. It acts more like whatever activates 2nd gear is taking too long to engage after first gear releases and it's going into a neutral like state. When it shifts from 1st to 2nd the RPM's seem to jump approximately 200-500 depending on engine speed when it shifts. The lower the RPM, the better it is. The higher the RPM the more the engine RPM rises before 2nd gear engages. Everything feels great once it's engaged. The 2-3 shift did the same thing the day I drove it home but I didn't notice that at all today. Fluid was checked at operating temperature. Thanks.

 

Does the check engine light turn on while driving, or the D4 (or S light) flash when driving? Regardless, check for engine or transmission codes. Open the common diy thread on top of the gen tech help forum for the link to check engine codes.

What kind of transmission fluid did you add?

 

CEL is on, but it has 2 EGR codes. No transmission codes stored. D4 light does not flash. Topped it off with Valvoline Max life. Claims it was approved for Honda's with the Z1 fluid. It was all Napa had so it had to get me by.

 

cascius,

You have described a slipping transmission. drain and fill your transmission with EXACTLY the right amount of fluid. make sure you use the right fluid

 

^I wasn't sure. I'm not familiar with the Honda automatics and how they work. I know on the Dodge trucks 2nd gear is activated by a band holding a drum. If that gets out of adjustment then the distance the servo has to travel becomes greater and takes longer for the shift to happen. This will cause the same symptoms but is easily resolved. I didn't think there were any mechanical adjustments on this one, but wanted to make sure it wasn't something along the same lines.

Also, in my experience with transmissions if it's slipping and you put new fluid in it it almost always finishes off the transmission. The detergents in the new fluid wash any material that may be holding now away and the transmission is then a boat anchor. I'd rather baby it along until I can afford to have it down than take it out now and be without a vehicle.

 

It's your call, Some times your right (it happened to me) other times it can solve the problem.

But it is a roll of the dice. Honda auto's are set up like basic manuals with automatic actuators. Kinda funky, kinda weird but unequivocally honda. The bearing guides and the clutch plate glue are the major problem spots.

rebuild is anywhere from 1500 to 2500, new trans from honda is 4500.


You have checked the level right? if it is low or high it can cause this problem.

 

I guess I'll give it a shot. I mean, what do I have to lose? It goes out anyway and I have to replace it sooner than later? Ehh. Oh well.

Two more questions on that. I see everyone talking about the ATF-Z1 Honda fluid. Are any of the aftermarket fluids that claim they are able to be used in place of Z1 acceptable to use? Second one is, does anyone make a good service manual on these transmissions? I wouldn't be afraid to tear into it but have never done one so would like to see what I'm up against. Thanks for the help.