1987 Honda Civic 1st to 2nd rough

DAVE87

MEMBER
1987 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
37,000 MILES

I just purchased a 87 civic hatchback DX that was well taken care of. It is an automatic. The only problem is 1st to 2nd gear is rough. Not a grinding but more of a hard shift. Kind of like it is being dropped into gear. The other gears work perfect. If I let off the gas at 14 mph it will shift smooth but I don't want to do that forever. Any ideas on what it could be?

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi dave87,

Either the 2nd clutch is failing or the throttle pressure cable for the transmission is adjusted too short.

Is this a carburetted or fuel injected model?

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Saturday, July 31st, 2010 AT 1:00 PM

DAVE87

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have been playing with it a little but am learning as I go. I did adjust the throttle cable. First I gave the throttle cable more play. 2nd to 3rd started doing it. Not as rough but seemed like there wasn't enough pressure for the clutch to lock in. So I tightened it up to were I had it and was just the 1st to 2nd again. Then I tightened it up and all that did was wind out 1st gear more and jerk maybe a little harder.
It is carburetted.

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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 6:12 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

There is a specific way of doing it.

THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE BRACKET
Carbureted Engine Only

NOTE:
Use this procedure when to check throttle control cable bracket position.

1.Disconnect throttle control cable from throttle control lever. Bend down lock tabs of lock plate and remove two 6 mm bolts to free bracket.

2.Install a new lock plate. Position Throttle Gauge (07974-6890300) between throttle control lever and bracket. See Fig. 2 . Tool is designed so that distance between lever and bracket is 3.29" (83.5 mm) when tool is installed.

3.Position cable bracket so there is no binding between bracket and special tool. Tighten 6 mm bolts and bend up lock tabs against bolt heads. Adjust throttle control cable.

CAUTION:Make sure control lever is not pulled toward bracket side as bolts are tightened.

If you had not tampered with the bracket, DON'T. Remember to run the engine till operating temperature to allow the autochoke to open fully before performing the adjustment.

A weight has to be put on the pedal to eliminate the accelerator cable free play.

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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 8:04 AM