1997 Honda Civic No Forward moving on D4 or Drive gear

1997 HONDA CIVIC
144,350 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DOXMAN
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My car was fine until I had a mechanic fill the transmission fluid. It worked fine for about 2 days and then the acceleration kinda started getting crazy. I have to hit near about full throttle to move my car forward from parked position, and the GREEN SQUARE LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE GEAR INDICATOR WHICH WAS ON "D4" was blinking,, going on off on off on off on off at same time interval. Do i need to do transmission flush or change the transmission fluid again? or what shud i do? ... reverse gear is very fine... and after i hit the full throttle n the car gets around 20 mph the acceleration is kind of okay. so, wat do u guys suggest i should do to repair my car?
Aug 27, 2008 at 8:29 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi doxman,

The D4 light blinking means something wrong with the trans control system has been detected.

Get a scan to find out what is wrong before proceeding with anything else. Check the trans fluid level first.
Aug 29, 2008 at 8:17 AM
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DOXMAN
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thank you for the advice,,, i really appreciate it. I had recently changed my car's radiator hoses and heater hoses and at the same time I told that mechanic to check and fill the transmission fluid ( is ATF & transmission fluid for automatic transmssion fluid same ? ). But I guess the mechanic didn't care much so he might have overfilled it or something might have gone wrong. Two days after that repair my car had no forward drive until i hit almost full throttle...anyways,, KHLOW, thanks so much..
Aug 29, 2008 at 4:10 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi doxman,

ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid.

If fluid level is low, the car would not move fast due to slipping of the clutches.
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:47 AM
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DOXMAN
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HI KHLOW,,, thnx again for the great advice and info,,,, by the way,,, i'm thinking of doing "Transmission flush and fluid " service in a good repair shop ,,, i hope that'll drain everything out and put back everything to normal since the transmission fuel will be possibly put at required level.

Is this a good way to go ? Can you tell me please? like, draining the transmission and filling it with new ATF. thanx again.
Aug 30, 2008 at 7:46 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi doxman,

If the ATF is not dark in color, replacing it is not going to be of any help.
Aug 31, 2008 at 2:59 AM
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DOXMAN
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i checkd my car in the morning,, D3, D4 gears dont allow my car to move forward and the square green light surround the gear name keeps blinking on the D4 gear. But when I shifted the gear to gear "2' which the honda civic has,, D4, D3, then 2.

in gear 2 , the car moves forward without anyproblem,,,??!!,,,should i drain the tranmission fluid and refill again?? cuz evereything works excepT D4 AND D3 gears.. even reverse and parking works great.. wat do i do my frend?
Sep 3, 2008 at 9:09 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi doxman,

Get a scan done to find out why the D4 light is showing.

It could be some fault with the PCM or sensors causing the problem.

When problems occur with above, the gears are bypassed and you have 2nd speed to "limp home"
Sep 4, 2008 at 12:11 AM
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