My 1998 Accord LX 4DR automatic is having transmission issues. The RPMs increase but the speed does not. Sometimes the gears seem to click in and the car goes for a while, but then the RPMs drop and the car comes to a screaching stop. I assume this is a tranny problem.

How do I diagnose the problem and what are the possibilities?

Thanks.

 

sounds like a slipping clutch, is it still under warranty (under 109k miles)?

Make sure your tranny fluid is full.

 

sir_nasty, thanks for the quick reply. The car has served me well and has just under 300,000 miles, not under warranty any longer.

What kind of repair costs might I be looking at?

 

If it truly is a bad transmission you're looking about, roughly, kind in the area of, $2500.00 parts and labor. Do you have the V6 or 4cyl? Add the info about your car to the signature block and it will help you get more responses.

 

You can get used ones from those import places pretty cheap. I think for less than a 1,000. They claim they have no more than 45,000 miles and if i'm not mistaken the jdm transmissions don't have the design flaw the usdm ones have. I read that somewhere a while ago but am unable to find it, so don't take that as fact please.

 

I hate to condem a tranny without having any "hands on" knowledge of it. Take it to a dealership or certified honda mechanic and ask them to test drive it (I doubt they'll charge you, ask before hand but if they say you'll be billed for them test driving the car to condem the tranny then go somewhere else).

 

Oops my bad...i wasn't trying to say go get a different tranny. I was just giving an idea of how much it might cost. My bad!!!!

 

me, on the other hand says... it's shot! [8D]

 

we did not get a reply wether you checked the fluid like SIR-NASTY suggested..
chk the easy things first.. make sure that tranny is full

If tranny is full and fluid looks ok ,it most likely has internal issues..

if low on fluid, chk for a possible leak , repair as needed , replace tranny fluid use Honda ATF-Z1 and go on a test drive