I have a 1997 Honda Accord with a mystery problem. I've had 3 mechanics look at it and no clue. It has 85,000 miles and has never had an engine or transmission issue. While driving the transmission will just disconnect. I'll have to coast over to the side of the road and stop. The engine keeps running and all systems seem to keep working except there is no response to the gas pedal whatsoever. After putting in park and turning off the engine it will start to work again. Sometimes it takes numerous try to make this happen.
Any suggestions? Thanks, Jim

 

Is the D4 light flashing when this happens?

Also, were there any diagnostic troubles codes?

Issue sounds like it may be related to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

 

I don't recall the D4 light flashing (the mechanic asked the same question). The only code we came up with was the O2 sensors which I already knew about. I'll ask mechanic about PCM. Thanks so much and I will post anything else I find out to try and solve this mystery.

 

mechanic has had the car for a month and driving to record what happens. Same thing happened numerous times and there were no other indications. The D4 or any other indication was present and the computer did not show any error codes. Mechanic is recommending to rebuild the transmission at a cost of about 2k. Says that there is probably some type of pressure or fluid problem.

Is there any way that some type of trouble shooting can be accomplished and only have a specific problem fixed for less money?

 

Transmission diagnostics aren't easy.

Are there any metal shavings in the transmission fluid? How old is the transmission fluid?

When you say the gas pedal is not responsive, does the engine rpm rev up when you hit the gas pedal? Will the rpms increase if you put the transmission in neutral?

Hate suggesting throwing parts at the problem. Not sure the car is worth 2K, so a used transmission with lower mileage may be a cheaper option if the transmission is the real problem. A used PCM from a u-pull-it yard is another option.

 

It just disconnects and the car has to be coasted to a stop. There is no response from the gas pedal at all. No rpm's, no engine response at all. A second transmission specialist here says that it could be filters getting clogged not allowing fluid to flow cleanly. The transmission disconnects and after stopped for a while the debris floats to the bottom allowing the fluid to flow until it happens again. Sounds reasonable and could address our metal flakes question? Obviously labor would be costly but maybe after breaking down it would require simple parts to fix instead of a whole rebuild.
Worth keeping the car because it's in perfect condition inside and out and has only 90,000 miles.

Thank you for your help. Jim

 

Haven't checked the fluid and not sure if the transmission fluid has ever been changed. No rpm's ever until it finally starts working again.

2nd mechanic says that he believes dirty fluid or a clogged filter. After coasting to a stop the debris floats to the bottom and it will run again. Sound reasonable?

Probably worth getting fixed. It's a 97 Accord perfect inside and out and only 90,000 miles.

 

I bet the filter inside the transmission is clogged.

 

I'm having trouble understanding one point in the description of the problem.

When the "transmission disconnects", the engine keeps running and you coast to a stop. But there's no response to the accelerator pedal? If it's purely a transmission problem, why doesn't the engine rev up when you press the pedal? Just like it would if the transmission is in neutral?

 

Google this and select the first result: Auto Trans Experts or at Least Experienced Tech Advice