Transmission Not Shifting?

Tiny
JACK RUSSELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
I recently replaced the transmission with a Japanese used transmission. I'm not a mechanic. So we picked up the transmission they told me to switch the speed sensor from our old transmission. The installation went well. Shift cable is okay, goes into park and all gears. The car starts off in fourth gear then after it's moving you can push down the throttle and it down shifts. If I manually pull linkage into first still takes off in fourth. I thought the plugs were straight forward. Could I have mixed the plugs and get these results? The car is 2.3 liter, so sorry.
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 8:49 AM

31 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Did you switch the Transmission Speed Sensor (TSS) when you switched the transmission. The Transmission Control Module (TCM) uses this information the figure out when to shift, without it it sounds to me like it is "limp mode". I have included a link for you to go to down below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

and

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

I have also included in the diagrams down below a voltage pinout chart for your TCM. It will give you what the expected voltage should be at every pin in the connectors that go to the TCM so you can make sure your new transmission is working as it should. Please get back to us and let us know what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
JACK RUSSELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello this is Jack Russell. I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you sending me those diagrams and testing pinpoints. I was able to trace it down to a multi-plug on the solenoid B valve and without your help I would have never been able to do it. Thank you so much you are absolutely the best.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,251 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, April 8th, 2019 AT 12:46 PM
Tiny
AJBOUR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
Transmission problem
2001 Honda Accord 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My car is starting to have problems shifting out of park. It takes several tries on pressing on the bracke before the push button on the shifter allow you to shift ot of park. How do I get this fix and can I do this at home or do I have to bring it into a dealer?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HONDA TECH 1818
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
If it doesn't shift out of park, press the brake pedal and check your brake lights. If the brake lights doesn't work when you press the brake pedal it's a faulty brake light switch.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CUHOA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
After I start the engine, sometime I cannot press the gear lever to put the car into reverse or drive gear. Sometime I have to apply the brake several time before I can press the gear lever and put my car into reverse or drive gear. Other time, I have to turn off the engine and restart the engine before I can press the gear lever so I can put the lever into reverse or drive gear. It seem like the brake system is not enganging or maybe it is the transmission, who knows.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HONDA TECH 1818
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
It could be a faulty brake light switch, try to check the brakes lights when its not shifting out of park when applying the brakes. If the brake lights does not come on when the brake pedal is applied, its the brake light switch.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGELA ORWIG
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
My car just started not wanting to shift gears correctly and when it finally does shift it's a real hard shift. Checked the fluid it's good. I am a female and I know a little about vehicle mechanics but not a lot. Where do I need to start to figure out what might be causing this? Thank you so very much for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,251 POSTS
Hello,

This is common when the input shaft speed sensor goes out. To be sure lets run the codes. here is a guide to help you with the repair and a video (similar car) to show you how if the sensor proves to be bad:

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

and

https://youtu.be/f3bETtCIdxM

Please run down these guides and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOANOBI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 88,000 MILES
I had an accident recently where my car, a honda accord v6 shaft pulled off the gear box. My local then changed the Ball joint and proceeded to return the car to me but on his way, the car stopped moving. We discovered there are no more gear oil, new gear oil was filled but the D4 & D3 gears could no longer select. Only gears 1 & 2 could move the car. Suggestions locally are that the car gear Sensor should b changed. Am confused, pls advise, iv not changed d sensor or will it be that the car gear has packed up?
Again, if changing gear is the solution, can you help me with any online gear selling company I can order a genuine replaceable gear?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FREEMBA
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,152 POSTS
Check the transmission fluid, just to be absolutely sure that the fluid level is correct.

Next, you'll have to take the car to a transmission shop to have them check (scan) your computer for codes. These codes (if there are any) will get us started in the proper direction for diagnosing your problem. Post the codes here, but do not purchase any services or parts until we've had time to advise further.

Also, look at the end of the axle where it goes into the transmission/transaxle to see if it fits completey into the transmission.
The mechanic should also change the axle seal on the affected side of the transmission (to prevent fluid from leaking out in the future).
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SRUBENS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 145,700 MILES
I drive a Honda Accord, model year 2000.

My problem occurs when I go up a hill and accelerate with the gas pedal. The RPM's crank up, but I'm not going any faster. In fact, it feels like I'm in neutral when I'm actually in gear.

I'm not changing gears when I do this either. Is this a clutch problem where the car is slipping out of gear? Could I be low on clutch fluid?

Scott Rubens
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MACK17
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It sounds like you clutch is gone. If the clutch fluid of sleeve cylinder was the problem you would have a hard time shifting the gears not slipping out of gear.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUCK KILPATRICK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
I bought the car back in August and it has been doing just fine. I live in south and we just had some temps down in the low 30's. On those mornings the car would not shift through the gears smoothly. The engine would rev. Up and down tring to go into gear. It would finally make into 3rd and after the engine came up to temp. It would go into 4th. It will do fine the rest of the day and on the way home when the temp. Got into the 60's. Is there anything I can do with out taking it to a repair shop?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Try having the transmission flushed and the filter changed. It might have a little sludge.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DCHARETTE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
FYI. Transmissions had a birth defect from the factory on model years 98-02, warranty is extended to 105K on these model years. I had the same issues you are experiencing, I flushed the fluid it helped for 2 months then the problem got worse. You need to bring it to Honda and inform them of the issue. I brought mine in and they told me to flush the fluid again, I told them no. I let them know I was aware of the transmission problems on these model years and would not settle for anything less than a new transmission. I got a new tranny and its runs fine.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOLLY_123
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
The vehicle only can go reverse and will still go forward only when engine is cold. Only when the engine get hot it will not go forward.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Sounds as if the transmission is slipping badly. Can you check the transmission oil? F it is burnt and smells this is a sure sine the transmission is slipping. If so it will be a major rebuild or replacement transmission required to fix this problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAMIGOTIT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
My 2000 Honda Accord will not shift out of park, I don't hear the click when I depress my brakes. I appreciate any help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Damigotit,

Check if the brake lisght are working when pedal is depressed.

It could be a blown fuse or a faulty brake switch.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 11:15 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Not Shifting Content

VIEW MORE