Transmission not working properly?

AWALTERS77

MEMBER
1997 HONDA ACCORD
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Hello, so, I have an odd Transmission problem. Here we go, so I backed the car out of my driveway and went to drive away made it quarter of a mile down the road maybe and it lost all gears. No noise no slipping. Engine remained running but could not grab a gear. Shut it down and restarted no problems and no gears. Had it towed home changed ATF was red-ish brown. Did not smell burnt. With fluid change no abnormal metal chunks. I have replaced the two sets of solenoids and the engine speed sensor. Ohmed out the main and counter shaft speed sensors they fall within the range as stated in the Honda Service manual. The car now will grab a gear when it starts. It will not hold the gear all the time though. When it drops the gear, now you have to shut the car down and wait 5 min and restart to get it to get a gear. Help please

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,262 POSTS

Hi,

If the transmission was working properly and this happened all at once, my first thought is transmission line pressure was lost. This could be the result of the torque converter, a pressure solenoid, or even a clogged cooler.

We have two ways to approach this. First, if you haven't already, scan the can-bus to see if there are any modules storing codes.

Here is a link showing how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Or we need to check transmission line pressure to see if it is within the manufacturer's specifications.

If you look below, I attached the diagnostics specific to this vehicle for testing line pressure. Take a look through them and let me know if you are comfortable performing them.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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