High revving, gear shifting?

BETTYCOLTRANE

MEMBER
1997 HONDA ACCORD

Hi there,

My car is having a problem with high revving - both while idle and driving. It is having a hard time shifting gears - going up to 4 rpm before shifting (not hammering the gas - this is at about 15 km/hr), while not picking up much speed. It is only when the car is first turned on, and it drives fine after it is 100% warmed up.

I know the rev / shifting is different in colder weather, but it's acting as though i'm driving it in -30 degree weather, whereas it's actually 10 degrees celcius. If I turn off the car before it is warmed up, it will actually shake. I've been driving this car for 7 years so I know this is very wrong.

Please tell me this is a small inexpensive fix!

Thanks.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Yes, it is, the engine has a vacuum leak which will make it idle high and shift late. here are two guides that will help you find the leak and fix it, use the vacuum leak guide when the engine is cold only.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

If everything checks out I would replace the transmission counter shaft sensor here is the location in the images below. Check out the images (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Image (Click to make bigger)