Transmission will not into any of the drive gears?

EASYFAME3

MEMBER
1991 HONDA CIVIC
1.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
245,500 MILES

Hello, so I have the vehicle listed above hatchback (ef) 4 speed auto. When running it goes into park, reverse and when you put it in neutral it stays in reverse, and then won’t go into any of the drive gears. What is the first area I should trouble shoot? Solenoids? Shifter linkage? Speed sensors? Also to clarify the shifter will go into D4 / D3 / 2nd gear, the gears just are not engaging. Please help.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

The first thing to check will be the fluid level. Then I would look at the gear selector cable. here are instructions on how to do both in the images below.

Checking

With the car on level ground, pull the transmission dipstick and check the level of fluid immediately after the engine is shut off (within one minute). The fluid level should be between the full and low marks. Push the dipstick all the way in to check the fluid level. If the level is at, or below, the low mark, add DEXRON-II type automatic transmission fluid.

Changing

1. Bring the transmission up to operating temperature by driving the car. Park the car on level ground, turn the engine off, then remove drain plug.

2. Reinstall the drain plug with a new washer, then refill the transmission to the full mark on the dipstick.

Automatic transmission Capacity:

2.4 (2.5 U.S. qts, 2.1 Imp. qt) at change, 5.4 (5.7 U.S. qts. 4.8 Imp. qt) after overhaul.

This guide can help as well:

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

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to make bigger)