I have a 2001 Honda Accord EX 4-cyl with 197,000 miles on it. Every time I turn on my air conditioning, it makes my transmission act all crazy. When I accelerate, I can not go above 3,000 RPMs... if it does not shift before 3,000 RPMs then the transmission acts like it is slipping. Also, when I am on the interstate and hit 80 mph and the RPM's are near 3,000, it was slip again. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN MY A/C IS ON.


My check engine light is on but the codes read only for coolant and the temperature gauge problems which have been checked and are fine. And the green box around the "D" on my dash has never turned red or flashed. Just a constant green. I had a mechanic check my transmission and everything checked out normally. He even changed the "electrical relay?" box and that didn't help. He is at a loss of what's wrong. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, how did you fix it?

 

It is pretty difficult to figure out what your issue is based upon the language of your post. That said, it's pretty normal for the transmission to "slip" when the A/C is on as the torque converter doesn't stay locked up as easily at the higher throttle settings necessary to propel the car AND to spin the A/C compressor.

 

Post the actual trouble code(s) number(s).

 

I had the same problem and I only had 46,000 on my 02 Accord. The problem is your transmission fluid is breaking down, try a double flush.....drop the fluid from the pan and put in 3 quarts of only Honda transmission fluid then drive the car for 15 minutes or so then change it again. My tranny was hard shifting 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, also I was getting a grinding noise going into reverse. All this only happened when the car was really hot (when the ac was on). The car is driving like a new car now.

 

Aside from the fact that the transmission doesn't have a "pan"...

Putting fresh fluid in your transmission isn't a bad thing, but I struggle to understand how that would cause a situation where all those things happen only when AC is switched on. Seems like it isn't that simple, but I hope carldayton gives us some more details.

 

In my case when the car was cold it would shift fine. When it warmed up I'd get an occasional hard shift either 1st to 2nd or 2nd into 3rd. When the engine bay gets real hot (when I used the AC) thats when it became funky, hard shifts and a slight grind going into reverse. I thought the tranny was on its way out. Both a Honda tech and a guy who rebuilds transmissions told me to do a double drain and fill. I did and it worked. The transmission rebuilder explained that the fluid was breaking down due to heat and age, its somthing hes seen before. I was expecting a $3500 repair bill when it only cost me $70 for the fluid and a washer. Im looking into an external cooler to help extend the fluids life. He has nothing to loose by trying it. Any good repairman will try a fluid change first, its cheaper then a rebuild.