Automatic transmission problems

STEVEN RANDALL

MEMBER
1997 HONDA ACCORD
2.2L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
217,970 MILES

The car does not shift correctly. I can get it to go into reverse most of the time. However it rarely wants to go into drive. When I shift into drive the engine will just rev. It does go into drive then I have to push the gas very easily because if I push too fast then the engine revs. If you can get the car to go forward it does sound like it is shifting out of first gear. I drained the transmission fluid out and put in new fluid. While the front end of the car was up in the air. I started the car and shifted the gears. And there was no delay for the wheels moving. I pressed on the gas and the wheel sped up like they should. However the original problems still occurs when the car is on all four wheels. To me it does not make sense that it would work in the air but then not work on the ground.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Actually, running the wheels when in the air is the same as taking off very lightly. You're describing what happens when the clutch plates are badly worn. They slip under normal load but not when under very light load. The additional clue is that reverse still works. Line pressure for the fluid that hydraulically applies the clutch packs goes very much higher in reverse. That holds those clutch plates from slipping. A transmission specialist may elect to perform some verification pressure tests, but most likely it's time to rebuild the transmission.