2003 ex coupe transmission troubles

Girlfriend is having trouble with her transmission. Reading online, it
should come as no suprise. Details are...
03 ex coupe v6, auto. 86000 miles. Transmission hesitates when upshifting
from 2nd to 3rd. Took it in, they said needed a flush, and needed to
replace solenoids on the trans. Now $103 for diagnostics, $360 for flush,
sols and labor, and it still does the same thing. Found online that there
was a recall. Questioned the dealership about this and they said the recall
was done in April 2003. The car wasn't even owned by her at that point. It
was still on a lot, brand new, as she was the first owner. Is this even
possible. I thought the recall came out in 2004?

Question #1
Do dealers ever do recall work on cars before they sell them?

Question #2
Anyone else had this problem? It seems like the start of the transmission
problems they are known for.

The dealership, after being told it wasn't fixed, said that maybe they put
in defective solenoids. THEY ARE LUCKY she was talking with them, as I have
less tact than she.

Also, anyone know the number for Honda's regional service manager for
Sheboygan, Wisconsin area? Lakeland Honda is the name of the dealership and
they are a sorry excuse for a dealership.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Joel

 

Why not? They get paid the same either way.

This sounds like fraud. The recall you are talking about wouldn't have
anything to do with defective solenoids, would it? I personally am not
familiar with the recall, but this sounds suspicious.

Saludos cordiales,

Earle

 

Mine, 2003 Accord EXV6, went out at about 72,000 mi. It (the transmission)
began to free rev up another 1500 rpms or so before upshifting to either the
2nd or 3rd gear. I don't remember which. My dealer put in a new
transmission and only charged me the freight (I think $200). They said if I
paid the freight it would carry an additional 3 year warranty. Anyway, I
don't know that they would have done this normally. When my radio/climate
control display went out they were going to charge me $1,200 for a new one
until I called Honda Corp. and complained. I suspect my dealer knew I would
pick up the phone again.

 

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As an experiment, make sure the coolant reservoir is full to the =MAX=
mark. Check it again in two days and top up as needed. If it 'uses'
coolant, there was AIR in the cooling system and it means somebody
didn't follow the part in the owner's manual about filling the system
any time the cooling system has been worked on.

It can radically affect your shift points.

'Curly'

 

Coolant? Are you F-ing me? What the hell does antifreeze have to do with
shift points. It is not a liquid cooled trans, unless you include the trans
cooler, which cools the trans fluid. That sounds like complete and utter
bs! anyone else ever heard of this?

Incidentally, they called my girlfriend back and said Honda is worried about
their image and will be replacing the trans for free. I will believe it
when I see it.

Thanks, Joel

 

Believe it. Honda is a reputable company.

 

Hondas go nuts if they get air in the cooling system. The sensors don't
read right, the computer decides everything is still cold and directs the
transmission to shift accordingly.

 

not unless you're naked and have your ass higher than your head.

coolant temp tells the ecu which shift pattern to use.

that makes it liquid cooled.

yes, it's pretty much the norm on any modern electronically controlled
automatic. you need to learn more.