'91 Accord Auto-Clutch slips in reverse

I have a '91 Accord VTi SE with an Auto gearbox. The car has 58,000 miles on
the clock. When I try to reverse up a hill the car creeps back then stops
even when the engine revs are high. There are no probs in any forward gear.
I took it in to an auto box specialist. They said I need a reconditioned gb
at a cost of £1700. Its possible my transmission fluid got low. Does that
wreck the gb? It seems odd that only the reverse gear should be affected.
Any thoughts, advice?
Thanks
Ron reading, UK

 

OOPS... Sorry the car is 2001 not 1991.
Ron

 

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Before asking us, get out your owner's manual and find out how to check
the fluid level for yourself. Be sure to wipe the dipstick on a piece of
paper and look at the color. Smell it too. Report back.

What engine is in your car please?

'Curly'

 

what code are you getting from the engine/transmission computer? if
there is slippage, it will be recorded as an unexpected rotation speed
differential between the input and output shafts.

other than that, have you put any additives into the transmission fluid?
have you used non-honda transmission fluid? it sounds like the
one-way clutch might be slipping. a change to the correct fluid may
correct that if it's not been too badly worn already. other than that,
look into jdm import transmissions - used, but low mileage, working and
much cheaper than your quoted repair price.

 

Thanks for your help. I don't have an engine/transmission read-out but there
is no doubt that, in reverse, the input and output shafts are rotating at
very different rates when I try to reverse up a steep hill. Yes I have put
non-honda transmission fluid in, so there will be a mix of honda and
non-honda. Do you think that would cause trouble? Can you explain about the
"one-way" clutch please? Is it possible that my forward driving will be
unaffected? Or is there a danger that the forward transmission will also
give out soon?
Thanks again
Ron

 

====================

Putting non-Honda fluid in your Honda is like giving a human the wrong
type of blood transfusion. Make arrangements to do a drain-n-fill with
Honda Z1 at least once, preferably three times in a row, with a short
drive in between. Other brands lack the special additives that Hondas
seem to require. If you did it a long time ago there could be tranny
damage. Here's one fellow's experience:

http://www.hondasuv.com/members/showthread.php?t=10890&

What's the color and how's the smell?

'Curly'

 

yes. that's why i went to the trouble of typing out all those
keystrokes to flag it as a potential issue for you.

it's a type of ratchet that locks in one direction and not in the other.
it relies on metal-to-metal contact and a small degree of friction.
if you're not using the oil anticipated by its designers, it may not
lock, simply skid and wear out. which is likely the situation with you
if you keep driving in this condition.

maybe. but you need to worry about reverse. imagine you're on a
railroad crossing and your forward exit is blocked just as you notice a
train coming. and your kid is in the car....