Shifts hard into 1st

Tiny
RYSIEKS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
My car shifts hard into first gear whenever I come to a complete stop. This even happens sometimes when I slow down to a roll and then press down on the accelerator. It just seems to rev up a little, then slams hard into gear.

Also, when shifting from 1st to 2nd, the RMP's seem to shoot up before it actually engages into 2nd gear. Its like the trans temporarily disengages, then the RPMS go up, then the trans grabs 2nd gear. This usually happens when I am accelerating harder than usual.

My first instinct was to get a trans fluid flush. I have been advised not to do this by a coworker (who doesn't happen to be a mechanic). But honestly, I am somewhat hesitant to flush the trans fluid etc because he told me that it could lead to more problems. Something about the little shards of metal in there will be removed and the trans will not be used to it. Something like that. Anyways, would a trans flush be a good start to fix the problem? OR is this a more serious problem? Torque converter perhaps? You guys have helped me out in the past. And I appreciate your response.

Thank you.
Rich
Thursday, April 24th, 2008 AT 2:56 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Is the check engine light on? or the D in the shift selector flashing? If yes the trans is in backup or limp mode...You will need to have the codes read and go from there. I would try replacing the revolution sensor here is a video.

https://youtu.be/f3bETtCIdxM

Please let us know what you find.
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Thursday, April 24th, 2008 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
YAM
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
I am not a mechanic but I replaced the sensor on my car worked great! I love this site
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Saturday, April 26th, 2008 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
SFREY15
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,500 MILES
Hi my car has been shifting hard and slipping while shifting. It does this only when the car is warm. My husband took it to Aamco and they said we need a rebuilt transmission. A friend of ours mentioned a speed sensor problem. Is this a symptom, or do you think the transmission may need to be rebuilt.
Thanks
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi there,

When was the last time you had the ATF checked and if replaced recently, was it of the correct specification?

Most auto trans nowadays are electronically controlled and since you mentioned it happens only when warm, insufficient earthing might also cause the problem, so why not try this simple step 1st?
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOB EBERLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 HONDA ACCORD
I have a 1999 Honda Accord EX with automatic transmission and about 106000 miles. For the last 20,000 miles, or so, it has become particularly noticeable that the car shifts hard out of first into second gear. High RPMs followed by a hard jolting shift. I have learned to make the shift slowly and to live with the problem, but if accelerating fast, as is sometimes needed, it is loud. I have noticed this in a 2000 Honda Accord, and I assumed it was just a problem with poor engineering. A mechanic recently told me that it shoujld not do this. I don't know if he wanted work or the problem can be fixed. Any ideas?
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRNCIVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Check your transmission fluid. It might be low. Your owner`s manual should have a section telling how to do this also. If it smells burnt or is brown you need to have it changed. The fluid should be a reddish color if it is clean. Honda does NOT check trans fluid with the engine running. Warmed up in park key OFF
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GLORIA NICHOLS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 230,000 MILES
My gears started getting hard to shift, so I thought I needed a new clutch. I installed a new one, but the gears are still not shifting good. I then installed a master cylinder and still it is not shifting good. Last I installed a slave cylinder and I am having no luck getting the gears to shift any better. Some of the gears are not shifting at all. I do not think that I need a new transmission. I think the problem has something to do with the gear, but I have not found the problem yet.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check fluid level in transmission if still not shifting good then check cables for binding/worn out. Finally remove cable and shift by hand if it shifts by hand still pull it out and check synchros probably an internal problem.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MSUMNERS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
My 98 Accord is shifting hard & with a jerk when shifting from 1st into 2nd, or 2nd into 3rd gear. Also, when I come to a stop, if shifts hard back into first gear. I topped off the transmission fluid and it still does it. Any ideas?
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi msumners,

Is the Check Engine Light showing or D4 indicator light blinking while driving?

Did you try to retrieve for trouble codes?
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MSUMNERS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Just checked the codes at a repair shop - nothing came up for the transmission, only some emissions thing(ECV). And the D4 light hasn't been blinking.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
When no trouble codes are present, harsh shifting could be caused by the following :

Excessive Shock Or Flare In All Shift Lever Positions

"Â A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valves "A" Or "B" Assembly Defective
"Â CPC Valve "A" Defective
"Â CPC Valve "B" Defective
"Â Foreign Material In Separator Plate Orifice

Excessive Shock Or Flare During 1-2 Or 2-1 Shift

"Â Shift Control Solenoid Valve "C" Defective
"Â 2nd Clutch Pressure Switch Defective
"Â Foreign Material In Separator Plate Orifice
"Â Shift Valve "C" Defective
"Â 1st Accumulator Defective
"Â 2nd Accumulator Defective
"Â 1st Check Ball Stuck
"Â 2nd Check Ball Stuck
"Â 1st Clutch Defective
"Â 2nd Clutch Defective

Excessive Shock Or Flare During 2-3 Or 3-2 Shift

"Â Shift Control Solenoid Valve "C" Defective
"Â 3rd Clutch Pressure Switch Defective
"Â Foreign Material In Separator Plate Orifice
"Â Shift Valve "C" Defective
"Â 2nd Accumulator Defective
"Â 3rd Accumulator Defective
"Â 2nd Check Ball Stuck
"Â 2nd Clutch Defective
"Â 3rd Clutch Defective
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MSUMNERS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks! I'll pass this on to my mechanic who is going to change out the transmission fluid tomorrow.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You're welcome.

Hope it is nothing serious.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)

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