91 Accord Tranny problem when cold.
 

Hi all. I just made my first post in the new members section.

Anyway, i just bought a 1991 Accord LX, automatic, 2.2L.

The question I have is regarding the transmission. The tranny seems to get stuck in first gear until it gets warm. The guy I bought it from was very up front about this, and also told me it does not happen in the summer when temps are warm.

What could be causing this? Does it simply need a fluid and filter change or is it something else?

Thanks!

Does the D4 or S light start flashing when you are driving?

Even if it doesn't, you can check for transmission or engine codes by shorting a blue two pin connector behind passenger side kick panel.


See: http://techautorepairs.com/dtc.html

No lights are flashing. The fluid looks good and red--no burning or browning. There is no slippage.

I did notice that I can manually shift from 1 to 2, but as soon as I hit D3 or D4 it goes back down into 1st gear. Once it warms up, it shifts fine. I mean the shifts are a little harder than I'm sure they were when the car was new, but it shifts without issue.

I'm very new to this platform and manufacturer so I am at a loss.

I will try the posted suggestion.

Any other ideas?

I have the same problem
 

Same problem here!!! What did you find out????

Please help!!!

Kind of the same problem here
 

Hi, have a 95 Accord 4 cylinder VTEC auto trans, have kind of the same problem, when it's about ten degrees or lower if put in D4 it won't move, D1 is the only spot that will work and it takes a few minutes before it can be put in D4. Attribute to the cold and nothing more.

This 'is' a common problem and...
 

I don't understand why there aren't any other accord owners out there with this problem willing to throw in their 2 cents.... ?? I know this is a common problem...but .... :confused:

Well mine is shifting in D4 but you really feel the drag when she shifted from 1st to 2nd gear. However it will get better after 10-20 minutes of stop and go traffic.
This probably cause by the cold weather and oil as well.

Ok, someone asked for .02 cents-first no codes stored, notice I didn't ask about flashing lights, asked if there are any stored codes.

If not, have you changed trans fluid using Honda Z1 (being replaced by DW1 soon). I've read serval posts about this and a few of them resolved the issue by a few drain and fills with Honda fluid...so pure theory, nothing to back it up. I've always used Honda trans fluid and have never had this issue.

My '97 wagon experiences a similar problem. If I start the car first thing in the morning and let it run approx. 10 minutes, there is no shifting issue. However, if you don't it pretty much slips through all gears, but it does shift.

Never a check engine light or any codes. I added half a bottle of Lucas transmission fix and it helped slightly. After reading more about trans issues with these cars, I pulled the plug and let as much drain as I could (ended up being 3 qts.) and cleaned the magnetic drain plug. I then added the 3 qts. of Z1 and drove for a couple days. I did notice an improvement, but it didn't completely solve the problem.

So....I did the same again after the couple days. There is a definite improvement. Not perfect, but better than after the first drain/refill. I can now drive with the car not warmed up and experience little to at times no slippage. I plan on doing this one more time in the next few days to check for more improvement.

The downside....Z1 is expensive. Luckily, I have found a carquest auto parts store close to me that stocks it for $6.99 a qt., cheaper than the local Honda dealer. Spending the $45 gamble on a hopeful fix is better than giving up though, and it seems to be paying off.....:D

yes your right Z1 is expensive, im using Dexron III (AC delco). its been two times i drain & refill the tranny together with engine oil change since i bought my accord sept last year. i will try to put Z1 next time and see whats the diff.