1999 Accord V6 transmission problems

Yesterday the "Check Engine" light came on in my wife's 1999 Accord EX V6.
We bought this car new. It is out of warranty with 48,000 miles. She had
recently noticed what she described as the engine "missing" occasionally,
but nothing serious. I assumed it was the well-known EGR problem, for which
there is an extended warranty, so we made an appointment with the dealer to
take care of it.

Imagine my surprise when the code came up a PO740 which the tech described
as a "transmission system failure". What!!! This is my third new Honda. My
first was a 1982 Accord. It's still in the driveway with 300,000 miles,
being recycled through each of my kids as they get their driver's licenses.
The only major work necessary on it has been the timing belt and the clutch.
And they didn't fail, it was just time. Now I'm facing a several thousand
dollar bill on a practically brand-new car?????

The first thing the dealer wanted to do was a pressurized transmission flush
for $210. This on top of the $80 I now have to pay (which I'm really pissed
about because I can get OBD II scans for free) because the problem isn't
under warranty. I recalled hearing about some problems associated with
pressure flushing, but couldn't remember exactly what they were. So before
giving the go-ahead, I called an independent transmission shop that I use
for business (I'm the fleet manager for an electric utility) to pick his
brain a little.

He recommended that I pass on the pressure flush. He has seen catastrophic
failures occur to transmissions immediately following a pressure flush. He
recommended a drain and fill, running the car a few days and then another
drain and fill. So I had the dealer do a $42 drain and fill and arranged for
another appointment next Tuesday. They were really disappointed I wouldn't
let them do the pressure flush.

I voiced my displeasure (politely) with this entire turn of events with the
poor kid at the service desk and eventually he got the service manager to
talk to me. He seemed sympathetic, but insisted he couldn't do anything for
me because the car is out of warranty. I told him that I have been a Honda
true-believer for years and am shocked that something like this could happen
with a car of this vintage. I told him I am even more shocked at the
prospect of being hung-out-to-dry by Honda in this way.

Then it got kind of interesting. He seemed to get a little uncomfortable. He
admitted that Honda had experienced some transmission problems with many of
their V6 models. He said there were warranty extensions on some of them due
to these acknowledged problems. He asked the warranty manager if there was
an extension on mine and she replied there was not. He then suggested we
wait and see what happens with the drain and fill routine, and then contact
Honda. He had a pretty good attitude about the whole thing, so I left
feeling, not exactly ok, but calmed down a little. When we started the car
the "check engine" light was off. We left the dealer. At about 10 miles the
light came on again. It's about 50 miles home and we didn't experience any
symptoms.

My interest piqued by the service manager's comments about known problems,
I've spent the afternoon google searching. What I've discovered so far is
that there is indeed a common problem with these transmissions from 1998 to
2002 model years. Honda has granted warranty extensions for the 2000 and
2001 models, but inexplicably not the others, although they cannot or will
not explain the design differences between them that would legitimize the
exclusions. The 2003 models are a new design. Can anyone relate any recent
similar experiences? And the outcome, positive or negative? And any advice
on the direction I should take with this?

Honda needs to step up and take care of their customers. I have been a proud
Honda owner for over twenty years and have loudly announced my loyalty for
that entire time. Resolution of this situation will either confirm my faith
in Honda or destroy it. If Honda doesn't take care of me, I won't let it
rest. I think there are enough owners that have experienced this, and not
received satisfaction, to put together a formidable group to take Honda on.
I hope it doesn't come to that.

Pete

 

According to the Honda Service manual for the 99 Accord w/ 4 cylinder
engine, the Diagnostic Trouble Code P0740 indicates that the "Lock-up clutch
does not engage".

Assuming that no other trouble codes are indicated and the line pressure is
within the service limit, the manual advises to replace the Lock-up Control
Solenoid Assembly set (2 components). Then reset the PCM memory, warm up the
engine, and drive at 55 mph for 1 min to see if the DTC is triggered again.
If yes, then the manual advises replacing the transmission and torque
converter. (There's no telling whether these instructions also apply to the
V6 transmission, but these are the kinds of questions to ask your mechanic.
Did they even get this far?) So don't give up yet; it may be possible to
fix your transmission without having to replace the whole thing.

 

According to the Honda Service manual for the 99 Accord w/ 4 cylinder
engine, the Diagnostic Trouble Code P0740 indicates that the "Lock-up clutch
does not engage".

Assuming that no other trouble codes are indicated and the line pressure is
within the service limit, the manual advises to replace the Lock-up Control
Solenoid Assembly set (2 components). Then reset the PCM memory, warm up the
engine, and drive at 55 mph for 1 min to see if the DTC is triggered again.
If yes, then the manual advises replacing the transmission and torque
converter. (There's no telling whether these instructions also apply to the
V6 transmission, but these are the kinds of questions to ask your mechanic.
Did they even get this far?) So don't give up yet; it may be possible to
fix your transmission without having to replace the whole thing.

 

My 99 Accord EX V6 transmission also had trouble and after spending several
days complaining at the dealership it was eventually replaced under
warranty. It felt like the transmission could never decide which gear it
wanted to be in under slight accelleration or constant speed. The service
people kept trying to tell me that it's normal and "they all do that", but
over time the problem kept getting worse. I think it had 15K on it when it
was replaced. The replacement transmission exhibits some of the same
problem but not as severe - now at 45K miles and it's still drivable. I'm
not looking forward to the day that we need to fork out $4K for another.
Love the car; Hate the transmission. I cannot believe that Honda won't take
responsibility for the design defects in the transmissions used in their
1999 V6 models.
M.Paul

 

My 99 Accord EX V6 transmission also had trouble and after spending several
days complaining at the dealership it was eventually replaced under
warranty. It felt like the transmission could never decide which gear it
wanted to be in under slight accelleration or constant speed. The service
people kept trying to tell me that it's normal and "they all do that", but
over time the problem kept getting worse. I think it had 15K on it when it
was replaced. The replacement transmission exhibits some of the same
problem but not as severe - now at 45K miles and it's still drivable. I'm
not looking forward to the day that we need to fork out $4K for another.
Love the car; Hate the transmission. I cannot believe that Honda won't take
responsibility for the design defects in the transmissions used in their
1999 V6 models.
M.Paul

 

Not so long ago, Honda annouced silently that they're extending the
automatic transmission warranty on some V6 models.
It was mostly on the Oddyssey but I think that the V6 Accords were also
included as they use the same tranny.

 

Not so long ago, Honda annouced silently that they're extending the
automatic transmission warranty on some V6 models.
It was mostly on the Oddyssey but I think that the V6 Accords were also
included as they use the same tranny.

 

Please keep us updated on this. I'm interested in hearing how it turns
out. I just bought a 2003 Accord LX Coupe (4cyl, Auto) and I'm pretty
disappointed with Honda. There were a bunch of little things that were
fixed. Some other issues I have with the car were described as "Normal
Operation" (vibration in steering wheel, clicking brakes when changing
directions, grinding noise in wipers).

I have noticed that my transmission is making a whining noise when
accelerating, but this is not uncommon on 03 Accord L4. I even heard
this on a 00 Accord. I am a bit uncomfortable with a vibration from my
transmission. I can only notice it when slowly accelerating. It almost
feels like the transmission is in too high of a gear (like when
driving a manual transmission car at 25MPH in 5th gear and trying to
accelerate without downshifting).

 

Please keep us updated on this. I'm interested in hearing how it turns
out. I just bought a 2003 Accord LX Coupe (4cyl, Auto) and I'm pretty
disappointed with Honda. There were a bunch of little things that were
fixed. Some other issues I have with the car were described as "Normal
Operation" (vibration in steering wheel, clicking brakes when changing
directions, grinding noise in wipers).

I have noticed that my transmission is making a whining noise when
accelerating, but this is not uncommon on 03 Accord L4. I even heard
this on a 00 Accord. I am a bit uncomfortable with a vibration from my
transmission. I can only notice it when slowly accelerating. It almost
feels like the transmission is in too high of a gear (like when
driving a manual transmission car at 25MPH in 5th gear and trying to
accelerate without downshifting).

 

The procedure for the V6 is similar.

If the line pressure is OK, replace the Lock-up Control Solenoid
Assembly set and the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve A/B
assembly.

Turn the ignition switch OFF and reset the PCM memory by removing the
BACK UP fuse in the passenger's under-dash fuse/relay box for more
than 10 seconds.

Using the scan tool, check to be sure that the engine coolant
temperature is 176F or above.

Drive the vehicle at 55 mpg constantly for more than one minute.

Recheck for code P0740.

THEN, if the code is still there, replace the transmission and torque
converter. Do the checks first.

Dick

 

When I had a 99 Accord LX, I had a problem with 5th gear synchro on the 5
speed at 600 miles. Honda wanted to replace the transmission, but after
four months of " there are no available replacement 5 speeds" the box was
successully repaired by the dealer. At the time, the service manager told
me that were having great difficulties with the V6 automatic -- failures and
so forth. I now drive 01 5 speed Prelude -- not one problem at all. I gues
it depends on the model. The old 5 speed Accord were bulletproof.

 

When I had a 99 Accord LX, I had a problem with 5th gear synchro on the 5
speed at 600 miles. Honda wanted to replace the transmission, but after
four months of " there are no available replacement 5 speeds" the box was
successully repaired by the dealer. At the time, the service manager told
me that were having great difficulties with the V6 automatic -- failures and
so forth. I now drive 01 5 speed Prelude -- not one problem at all. I gues
it depends on the model. The old 5 speed Accord were bulletproof.

 

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This is good info, thanks. They didn't get that far. I'm sure that will be
the next step after I have the next drain and fill next week. I'm a little
concerned about how much it will cost, since I'm sure the tranny will have
to be dropped and dismantled to change those components. If a pressure flush
costs 210 bucks, I'll bet it's not gonna be cheap.

Rick

 

<>

This is good info, thanks. They didn't get that far. I'm sure that will be
the next step after I have the next drain and fill next week. I'm a little
concerned about how much it will cost, since I'm sure the tranny will have
to be dropped and dismantled to change those components. If a pressure flush
costs 210 bucks, I'll bet it's not gonna be cheap.

Rick

 

M,

If I was you, I'd start working on them now. Problems after 30k on a new
transmission is just wrong. Honda should deal with it.

Rick

 

M,

If I was you, I'd start working on them now. Problems after 30k on a new
transmission is just wrong. Honda should deal with it.

Rick

 

Paul,

The impression I've gotten through my research, is that the extension
applies to the 2000-2001 models. It also seems Honda is not forthcoming with
the reason why 1998, 1999, and 2002 models are not included. Puzzling, since
I think they are all the same transmission. If I'm wrong about that I sure
wish someone from Honda would explain the differences.

Rick

 

Paul,

The impression I've gotten through my research, is that the extension
applies to the 2000-2001 models. It also seems Honda is not forthcoming with
the reason why 1998, 1999, and 2002 models are not included. Puzzling, since
I think they are all the same transmission. If I'm wrong about that I sure
wish someone from Honda would explain the differences.

Rick

 

It seems to be a common thread that Honda won't respond to inquiries about
the warranty extensions. Kinda unusual for a company that built it's
reputation on customer satisfaction.

I'm not convinced protests such as these go unnoticed by Honda, but only if
they know about them. Did you write them and let them know the result of
their failure to communicate with you?

Rick

 

It seems to be a common thread that Honda won't respond to inquiries about
the warranty extensions. Kinda unusual for a company that built it's
reputation on customer satisfaction.

I'm not convinced protests such as these go unnoticed by Honda, but only if
they know about them. Did you write them and let them know the result of
their failure to communicate with you?

Rick