Transmission not shifting correctly?

Tiny
SEAN WOODS
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
Sometimes, when I turn on the headlights, the gear selection indicator on the dash will go out and the transmission will downshift (not smoothly either). After a couple of seconds, the gear indicator light will turn back on. Today, it even did this when using the turn signals.

For some reasons, it seems like the electrical draw will affect the trans.

A couple of months ago, my wife started the car, turned on the headlights, and the engine died. It was fine when she restarted it.

Any ideas on what to check? The alternator voltage is fine.
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 AT 8:28 AM

20 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Sean ,

There seems to be a fault with the electrical circuits and I would suggest starting with cleaning the battery terminals and ground circuit connections. This guide can help as well

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, August 26th, 2010 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
SEAN WOODS
  • MEMBER
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Thanks. I may have found a bad ground. The car was in an accident before I bought it. It looks like the body shop removed and reinstalled the ground with an after-market bolt which got pretty rusty.

It has been working fine for a week and a half now.
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Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Lets hope it is a permanent fix.

Have a nice day.
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Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
ROSIEH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 94,100 MILES
This morning when I came to work my car was fine. When I left for lunch I could not push the side button in on the gear shifter to move it from park to drive. I had to get out the manual and follow the directions to stick the key into the manual slot on the console and shift to neutral and then start the car. Now everytime I put it in park I cannot shift it into gear without using the manual slot on the console. What can it be?
Thanks.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Hi rosieh,

Either the interlock system is faulty or you are now driving without brake lights.

Check for a blown brake fuse or faulty brake switch.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSIEH
  • MEMBER
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Thank you very much for your help!
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLESSED999
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 HONDA ACCORD
Transmission problem
2004 Honda Accord

Hi, my car will shift gears when the key is turned, but when I start the car up it locks up and will not shift.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RANGERDANGER17
  • MEMBER
  • 224 POSTS
Im guessing the car is automatic

near your gear lever you shoul have a little cap use a screw driver to pop that cap open inside there should be a little button

turn the car on push and hold the button it should shift just fine

that is a senor telling the tranny that you have the brake pushed in and it is safe to move the lever out of park

this senor is kind expensive I would start puttin the car in nuetral and appling the e brake

if its a manual the clutch end play needs to be adjusted
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BAKAS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,000 MILES
Good day. Each time I engage the gear on the it takes me to lift up my leg on the accelerator when on motion before the gear two engages. However, sometimes it remains there without shifting to next gear, sometimes I don't experience the problem. I have changed the ATF and serviced the solenoid, but it issues persist.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hello,

This happen when the turbine speed senor goes out but to be sure lets run the codes and I have the video of the repair on a similar car below as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://youtu.be/f3bETtCIdxM

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BAKAS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for your prompt response. And I will try it.

Warm Regards.

JS Bakena
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBSIZZ_99
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
When putting the transmission into drive or reverse there is a little lag then engages hard. It shifts fine in all other gears but when coming to a stop it shifts hard again into 1st and there is a slight lag then engages hard again. So far all I did to try and rectify this was change out the transmission fluid once with recommend Honda transmission fluid. No help, still does it.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
If the fluid is okay then I would next suspect the shift solenoids. I attached the testing procedure for the solenoids. Let's run through this and we can go from there.

Let me know what questions you have. Thanks
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JVNS1022
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
My 2002 Honda Accord Coupe 4cyl automatic with 118,000 miles hasn't been shifting gears properly. After slowing to a stop at a traffic light, and then pressing the gas pedal, the car struggles to accelerate and then jerks as it shifts gears (all of this happens while traveling less than 5-10mph). While cruising on the highway (55-65 mph) the car will jerk when trying to suddenly accelerate to pass someone. I understand that the transmission is not shifting smoothly and that automatics are more troublesome and less-reliable than standards. But what exactly could be causing this? One year ago (11,000 ago) I had a complete tune up performed including, transmission fluid, radiator fluid and new radiator/hoses/belts/spark plugs.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Hi jvns1022,

When transmission have erratic shiting patterns, it could be caused by faulty sensors, PCM or the transmission itself. Quite often a trouble code would be stored in the PCM and you need to retrieve the trouble code to understand what is causing it.

Get a free scan done at Autozone and see if any trouble codes are present. Let me know the exact trouble code if any.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JVNS1022
  • MEMBER
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Thanks KHLow2008, I'm going to check that out this weekend. Thanks for the help. Is it likely that an automatic transmission can go bad on an Accord with only 118,000? When it does go bad, is there anything to do besides buying a whole new tranny?
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
As a matter of fact, I have seen some that failed earlier than yours.

For transmission problems, it can vary, sometimes a fluid change would resolve the problem while others require some solenoids and for the extreme cases, a rebuilt or replacement is necessary.

Let me know what you find and see if we can come up with anything.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PATTJ020
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 HONDA ACCORD
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Four speed transmission is having problem shifting from third to fourth. The gear selector in four blinks and the traction control light comes on. If I turn off engine and back on the lights clear. Then I go through all gears a few times to try again. Sometimes it takes four times to get the car to shift correctly. I have changed the fluid twice and found some evidence of metal filings on magnetic plug. The research I have done points towards transmission module located under carpet passenger side. Supposedly the diodes are burned out. Still not a 100% sure of the remedy. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Scan for codes first that will say if it is a TCM. If the metal pieces were just like little tiny things that is normal if shavings that is not so something may have broken or not working like a seal bad or clutch.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)

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