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Transmission Problems

I have a 1996 Accord EX, 4 cyl w/auto tranny, close to 107,000 miles. About a week ago, I noticed that when I was climbing a hill at around

60 mph, the transmission was slipping a little bit. It seems like it is trying to downshift to third, but I wasn't giving it enought throttle to actually downshift, so it was just slipping. Reminded me of when you have the gear selector in the wrong spot and it won't fully go into a gear.

First thing I did was check the fluid level, and it was full and didn't smell burnt. So now I'm a little concerned and I'm hoping there's nothing wrong that will require replacing the whole thing. I'll admit that we weren't able to do all of the scheduled maintenances on it (insert starving student sob story here), and I'd really like to know if changing the fluids and replacing tranny filter could help. I don't have any other problems with it, and it's strictly when I'm at the low end of the 4th gear range.

I've been reading about needing to use Honda ATF, which I'll go pick up before I do the change. Can I pick up a filter for it at NAPA, or where ever, or do I need to order an OEM replacement from Honda?

Thanks for the help. I'm hoping I can get a few thousand more miles out of this before I buy something new!

Reply to
kendiggy
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The filter is internal, and not to be touched. Drain-n-fill the tranny with about 4 litres of Honda Z1. Drive it around for a while, or a week, then do it again.

Make sure your coolant reservoir is at the MAX mark, since low coolant can mess with your tranny's shift points. Pick up some Honda Premix if it's presently at the MIN mark.

'Curly'

Reply to
'Curly Q. Links'

Hi Curly

My tranny's shift point sometime is erratic and I have noticed that my coolant level is near MIN. Your post gave me something to think about. Just wondering if I can just top it up with Honda premix coolants. I am not sure how old the existing coolant but it looks greenish and thik like cooking oil. I have been the owner of my 1996 civic for about 9 months. Its nearly at 218K km, auto trans.

Thanks in advance.

Reply to
ExtremeValue

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Any time you buy a used car you should just assume that the previous owner was an idiot. Change the vital fluids, especially the tranny and brake fluid.

'Curly'

Reply to
'Curly Q. Links'

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I should have mentioned that you should also fill the coolant reservoir to MAX, which will tell you (over the next few days) whether there is air in the cooling system. Next time the engine cools down it will sip coolant out of the reservoir and you might see the level drop. I just keep mine at the MAX mark and it never moves at all.

Your manual tells you how often the coolant should be changed.

'Curly'

Reply to
'Curly Q. Links'

And use the Honda fluids, especially ATF. If it has non-Honda fluid in it now, it may take a couple or three changes to completely solve any problems.

Reply to
Gordon McGrew

Reply to
Howard

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