automatic transmission failure question

It might be a linkage issue, that the prindle has become disconnected from the transmission. If this is the case, you might be able to fiddle with it and find a position on it that will get you into drive.

But yes, for the most part automatic transmissions are sealed boxes that you don't repair, you just replace them as a whole. 280k on a slushbox is pretty good.

If the transmission is bad and it has 280k on it, I would be very surprised if you could sell it.

--scott

Besides checking what Scott said as far as mechanical linkage goes (when you shift, does the cable on the transmission end shifts too?), you might just want to plug in an oil pressure gauge and read off the line pressure. Not sure if the parts store will have these free loaners, but may be worth a check. Not sure if an engine oil pressure gauge will work (enough adapters and pressure range?)

The problem, I read, is that disintegrating debris plugs up the strainer, and basically starves the transmission of fluid. If that's the case, the ATF line pressure will be way below specs. Then just call up a mechanic willing to put in a low miles salvage transmission that costs < $800 installed, with a 3-month warranty from the junk yard. If that's even worth it.

That's why later Honda retrofitted and added a transmission inline filter. And a reason I think a remote filter would help earlier in these cases:

Ditto. 280K miles (?) is actually pretty good. Honda's automatics are said to be as mediocre as Hyundai transmissions as far as reliability goes I read somewhere.

Start with this. Drain the trans fluid and change the filter. If that doesn't do it, go to a bone yard and swap transmissions. But again change fluid and filter on that one before driving.

it's not a "slushbox". it's an electronically controlled automatic, and a highly advanced piece of engineering.

no, he needs proper diagnosis. honda autos usually last pretty well. he may have something trivial like a driveshaft disengaged.

Sounds like he might luck out with just a normal fluid change and new trans filter. Not big bucks. Most shops will do it for around $100.

Unlikely. Even if it was something simple, at 280k on an automatic transaxle you are on borrowed time anyway.

If the rest of the car is pretty nice(Paint, interior, engine runs good and has been maintained) then I'd go get a used junkyard transaxle with a 90 day warranty and put that in the car and keep driving. Even if you had to pay a shop to install the used transaxle it would still be cheaper than having your current box rebuilt.

A 1997 PaidFor in good running condition beats the hell out of a new car in my book.....

Good luck with it.

Chris

but it's a honda. what he doesn't say though is whether it was a v6 - those had serious issues.

better yet, buy a low mileage used jdm transmission from japan.

definitely.

I do it myself for ~$35...not including 6-pack.

=?iso-2022-jp?q?Hachiroku_=1B$B%O%A%m%=2F=1B=28B?= snipped-for-privacy@e86.GTS wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@e86.GTS:

it better be cheeper than that as the honda has a drain plug and no replaceable filter. Just did it on my son inlaws 98 accord. KB

He doesn't sound like he'd be capable of doing that. Most likely it is either low on fluid or It has 300K on an original filter. Seen that lots before. Change the fluid AND filter and they run another 200K. Could be he ran it for 150K and never looked at the trans stick to see if there was ANY fluid in it.

wasting money on oil without a proper diagnosis is ridiculous.

There's no replaceable filter on a '97 Honda Automatic, just a drain plug.

It sounds like you're not familiar with Honda Automatics of that generation.

There is no filter, no pan, just a drain plug. Its easier than changing the oil. The main thing is that you have to use Honda ATF if you want it to work at all and Honda explicitly warns against power flushing them.

The first question I would ask is whether any of these guys quoting $2000 transmission replacements even looked at the fluid level first.

No, Honda automatics do *not* have have replaceable strainers that you just replace "after dropping the pan".

The transmission case is basically two halves of an egg shell, and requires major work just to replace the strainer. That's why Honda added an external one, a cheaper version of Magnafine:

Or you can go to your H>     Sounds like he might luck out with just a normal fluid change and new

Maybe but it is the cheapest place to start.

I may be mistaken, I thought it had a filter. I wonder if HE checked the trans stick???

eh? diagnosis is the cheapest place to start...