automatic transmission failure question

$5 adder per knuckle?

I believe he was already given a diagnosis (albeit it, probably wrong) that was more expensive then what the car is worth. I would think spending $30-$100 is an acceptable risk to see if it it can be salvaged if the rest of the vehicle is in fairly sound condition. If it doesn't work, all that is lost is a few bucks. Beyond that, it probably isn't worth it to open the housing, as just that portion could cost more in personal time and/or money for a proper diagnosis.

Thanks to everyone who provided some advice. The transmission fluid level is above the lower notch. But that is a cold reading. I can't get the transmission up to temperature to perform a more accurate reading, as it won't drive. I can't imagine that just adding fluid would magically bring it back to life - but I am no expert. I wish the the transmission computer had a similar interface like the engine has OBDII The failure seems entirely "fail safe" electrical as I had no symptoms until I safely came to a stop.

it does - they're connected. any error codes should be interfaced through the same system.

it could be something simple like a solenoid failure, or even cable disconnect. again, if you can't inspect and diagnose yourself, find someone who can.

and all this stuff about "uneconomic to repair" is grossly underinformed. you'll lose more in depreciation on any new vehicle than you will repairing this. and you can buy a low mileage jdm transmission for a few hundred bucks, assuming this one is broken - and that's unproven.

A whole $25? Big deal. It's going to cost more than that for a 'diagnosis'.

Most Honda dealers charge $65 just to look at it. The OP didn't give any timeline as to the last drain and fill, or if he bought the car new, and filling the trans is so easy I bet even you could do it...

If it's only a quart or two low, that's a whopping $7 Yeah, it's worth a shot, esp from the description of the problem he gave.

Solenoid failure will cause the trans to jump into limp mode. I've been driving a Supra that way for 5 years.

As far as cables, that's easy. Open the hood and have a look.

I give myself a 50% discount...

And use it to buy mechanic's gloves...if I ever wear them!

Here's a challenge! Want to talk about busted knuckles? Try changine the SPARK PLUGS!!!!

but this is not a planetary transmission big guy. you're not "limping" anywhere if you don't have a circuit engaged.

ya think???

and be completely wasted because the probability of it being simply oil is next to zero. you know about honda transmissions, right?

see above.

because knuckle-draggers can handle it.

Pay attention. The guy is driving a 12 year old car. Most likely he's NOT Donald Trump. Given that - he can PAY to have it towed to a dealer or transmission shop for a diagnosis. MAYBE free maybe cost. What can a SHADETREE mechanic do to check stuff out? First check the trans dipstick. Then change fluid. If it is still dead, get a different trans at the bone yard or send it to the crusher and get an 11 year old Honda.

Try draining the fluid and replacing it. It may take some time for it to pump up. A couple minutes. If it is still dead, call a priest, it's time for a newer car.

ANY automatic transmission can shut down when the lubricant is contaminated. At almost 300K it is quite possible depending on how it has been driven that the fluid is bad. When you consider HOW automatic transmissions work, with the fluid to shift, if that fluid has gone bad (at

300k???) it may not want to shift. I grant you that is more common on American Automatics, but the same concepts apply. You could be right that it is a waste of time and money. BUT it might not be. However SMALL the chances are it's better than just leaving it sit in the driveway or spending $2000 to fix it. He might be able to pick up a working trans at a bone yard for a couple hundred bucks.

just because /you/ have been brainwashed with that detroit thinking, doesn't mean the rest of us have to take it up the ass the same way. 11 years is nothing for a honda - unless it's rusty or crashed. repair and get another 10 years of free motoring.

the chances of filter clogging onset so sudden and so severe as described is almost zero.

that fix is what i said - buy used low mileage jdm. great solution. a solution not available for you detroit guys - ha ha!

Let's start with facts NOT in evidence here. I own a 2008 Honda CR-V.

280,000 miles is a great deal EVEN FOR a Civic. My bet is the car has been neglected. Almost nobody changes the fluids or filters in their automatics until it stops. With proper maintenance a modern automatic transmission should last almost indefinitely with normal use. However IF you are pulling a 65 foot boat with your Civic, it may not last that long. It's nice playing the role of a SMUG SMART ASS on the internet. With a problem like this you start with the obvious of checking the trans stick which may not tell you much. If you feel the fluid and feel no grit than you do stage 2, put it back on and then let it drip on a paper towel and look. What color is it? How does it smell? Burned? In any event for the average guy, draining the fluid and replacing it with fresh Honda ATF is the next cheapest. (While under the car check for damage and leaks.) If it is still dead - they you are faced with repair or replace. You are right, the Honda transmissions are very durable, which means it should not be very hard to find a serviceable trans in a bone yard. Or you can take it to a trans shop.

I am told that the 96 Honda has NO filter. However ANY auto can sludge up and quit. Most folks pay no attention to warning signs until a car just quits.

First of all I am NOT a "detroit guy." I own a Honda CR-V. Second of all depending on what transmission you are talking about, American automatics are VERY durable, with some GM transmissions being a rather notorious exception. GM went through period when their automatics were pure SHIT! (Late 80's) For the most part if you maintained a trans, changing the fluid and filter about every 24,000 miles they'd run forever. Chrysler had some problems with the transmissions on some minivans. Ford has had fairly reliable if unspectacular automatics.

Well, did you even check the fluid level? Or the linkage?

If you checked the fluid and linkage and they're OK, I guess there's still a *chance* that the transmission isn't gone... But on a 97 HONDA? with 280k on an automatic? That chance is a near-perfect approximation to "zero."

A good option to get a little more value out of the car (whether you keep it or sell it) would be a low-mileage automatic from a wrecking yard. If you sell it as-is, you're selling so much scrap and you'll get essentially nothing for it.

Yeah. The price they charge for new cars is *highly* engineered....

Seriously, Toyota and Honda build very solid *engines*, no question. But Honda automatic transmissions are the dregs of the industry, especially back in the late 90s. The mere fact that they have no filter should tell you a lot. Toyota buys their automatics from Aisin-Seiki, (which they partially own) and they are quite good.