1998 Honda Accord Initial Jerks

Tiny
TUSHRU2004
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,000 MILES
I have a 98 honda accord. I experience initial transmission jerks when the car I start the car after it has been idle for more than 4-5 hours. The jerks disappear after a minute of driving and then the car is smoothly shifting as normal.
Do I need to repair the transmission or something?
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 AT 7:53 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi tushru2004,

It is better to get the problem checked and repaired now rather than wait for it to fail.

Problem is most likely a fault with the shift solenoids.

Get a free scan done at Autozone to see if there are any trouble codes.
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
TUSHRU2004
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The initial jerks happen mostly happen after the car is cold for a long time. Have to get it checked ASAP.
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 7:35 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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When harsh shifting occurs after parking for extended periods, it is most likely due to the shifts solenoids. Remove them to check for stiffness and clean them if dirty.

If the transmission fluid had not been replaced for some time, check its condition and replace if necessary.

Harsh shifting can cause premature wear to components such as engine mounts and clutches so an earlier remedy would be less costly.

Btw if the harsh shifting is only when you shift to D or R after starting up and does not jerk hard when upshifting to other gears, it could mean abad engine mounts. When starting from cold, the idling speed would be higher and when shifting is done during this time, it would jerk if the engine mounts are bad.
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
TUSHRU2004
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I replaced the transmission fluid yesterday. I started that the car cold in the morning from P to R (jerk). Then R to D (jerk). Stopped at the signal (very small jerk). Drove from the signal (very small jerk). Then no jerks.
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 8:01 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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When engine is warmed up, does shifting to R, N, D N, R, N and D produces any jerk when D or R is achieved?

When jerking occurs, does upshifting to 2nd or 3rd speed as you move along produce any noticeable jerks?

Have you had the engine mounts checked?
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
TUSHRU2004
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I havent got the engine mounts checked. I will definitely go today.

No jerks after the engine is warmed up. No jerks after 3-4 minutes of driving. Just normal shifting.

I have also noticed that if I give some time like 2 min for the engine to warm up before driving the car after its been idle(cold) for a long time. The intensity of initial jerks is reduced.

Yes when jerking occurs there are noticeable small jerks everywhere for the first 2 min. But more bad jerks when going from P to D or P to R.

But jerking only occurs after the car is cold for a long time (like in the morning when the car is idle and cold whole night).
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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After 2 minutes of warming up, the idling speed would drop so that would reduce the shocks of shifting to D or R if either the shift solenoids or engine mounts are bad.

Get the engine mounts checked and see if they are bad causing the problem.
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
TUSHRU2004
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I got it checked. The mechanic there is no problem with the solenoids or engine mounts. He says the problem is mostly due to bad transmission seals and he said I would need a transmission rebuild
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
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I don't think it is the seals. If it is, there would be pressure leakages and when that occurs, it would slip rather than jerk.

Get a second opinion.
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
TUSHRU2004
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Ok I will do that today
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 11:07 AM
Tiny
TUSHRU2004
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I remember he said there are hardened seals in the transmission
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 11:17 AM

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