automatic transmission failure question

I have a 97 Honda Accord with 280K. Recently, I pulled over from
driving to check a map and when I put my car back in D, the engine
just raced like it was in neutral when I gave it gas. The reverse gear
worked for a bit in the parking lot, eventually no shifter position
resulted in movement of the vehicle. In D & R and only on a small
number of throttle applications, the car started moving forward
slightly, similar to that brief moment before the clutch on a manual
transmission is fully engaged. Before I pulled over my transmission
was working absolutely perfectly. The AAA tow guy and several repair
shops told me over the phone that the auto transmission needs to be
replaced (~$2000). Not worth it with the age of the car. Its now
sitting in my driveway. Ideally, I would tow it to a mechanic and have
them verify this for sure. Im not sure its worth spending the money
just to confirm this. Is there much of a chance that this problem
would require a repair that doesnt involve replacing the entire
automatic transmission?
Thanks

One more question. It may take a while before I sell it. I plan on
starting the engine once every 2-weeks or so to keep the engine in
good order and battery charged. Should I add an oil or gasoline
preservative?

 

It might be a linkage issue, that the prindle has become disconnected
from the transmission. If this is the case, you might be able to fiddle
with it and find a position on it that will get you into drive.

But yes, for the most part automatic transmissions are sealed boxes
that you don't repair, you just replace them as a whole. 280k on a
slushbox is pretty good.

If the transmission is bad and it has 280k on it, I would be very
surprised if you could sell it.
--scott

 

Besides checking what Scott said as far as mechanical linkage goes
(when you shift, does the cable on the transmission end shifts too?),
you might just want to plug in an oil pressure gauge and read off the
line pressure. Not sure if the parts store will have these free
loaners, but may be worth a check. Not sure if an engine oil pressure
gauge will work (enough adapters and pressure range?)

The problem, I read, is that disintegrating debris plugs up the
strainer, and basically starves the transmission of fluid. If that's
the case, the ATF line pressure will be way below specs. Then just
call up a mechanic willing to put in a low miles salvage transmission
that costs < $800 installed, with a 3-month warranty from the junk
yard. If that's even worth it.

That's why later Honda retrofitted and added a transmission inline
filter. And a reason I think a remote filter would help earlier in
these cases:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=BMM-80277

 

Ditto. 280K miles (?) is actually pretty good. Honda's automatics are
said to be as mediocre as Hyundai transmissions as far as reliability
goes I read somewhere.

 

Start with this. Drain the trans fluid and change the filter. If that
doesn't do it, go to a bone yard and swap transmissions. But again change
fluid and filter on that one before driving.

 

it's not a "slushbox". it's an electronically controlled automatic, and
a highly advanced piece of engineering.

no, he needs proper diagnosis. honda autos usually last pretty well.
he may have something trivial like a driveshaft disengaged.

 

Did you check the fluid level? That would be the first thing I'd check.
Low level will cause exactly what you're talking about.

If it's not sealed, change or clean the screen (and report back the
condition of any debris you find...) and drain as much as you can and
replace it.

If you're adventerous, you can lift the front of the car, wheels off the
ground, pull the trans cooler lines (the one that pumps to the radiator),
get a few quarts of trans fluid and 'flush' the tranny by letting the car
idle in drive and pump the fluid out the tube while you replace it through
the filler. However, on a tranny this old that sounds like it may have
never been service, this could remove the loose friction material which
may be the only thing keeping it moving!

DON'T have it powerflushed!!! It's too old, and then you really would need
to replace it.

 

Sounds like he might luck out with just a normal fluid change and new
trans filter. Not big bucks. Most shops will do it for around $100.

 

just to confirm this.  Is there much of a chance that this problem

Unlikely. Even if it was something simple, at 280k on an automatic
transaxle you are on borrowed time anyway.

If the rest of the car is pretty nice(Paint, interior, engine runs
good and has been maintained) then I'd go get a used junkyard
transaxle with a 90 day warranty and put that in the car and keep
driving. Even if you had to pay a shop to install the used transaxle
it would still be cheaper than having your current box rebuilt.

A 1997 PaidFor in good running condition beats the hell out of a new
car in my book.....

Good luck with it.

Chris

 

but it's a honda. what he doesn't say though is whether it was a v6 -
those had serious issues.

better yet, buy a low mileage used jdm transmission from japan.

 

I do it myself for ~$35...not including 6-pack.

 

it better be cheeper than that as the honda has a drain plug and no
replaceable filter. Just did it on my son inlaws 98 accord. KB

 

He doesn't sound like he'd be capable of doing that. Most likely it is
either low on fluid or It has 300K on an original filter. Seen that lots
before. Change the fluid AND filter and they run another 200K. Could be he
ran it for 150K and never looked at the trans stick to see if there was ANY
fluid in it.

 

wasting money on oil without a proper diagnosis is ridiculous.

 

There's no replaceable filter on a '97 Honda Automatic, just a drain plug.

 

It sounds like you're not familiar with Honda Automatics of that generation.

There is no filter, no pan, just a drain plug. Its easier than changing the
oil. The main thing is that you have to use Honda ATF if you want it to
work at all and Honda explicitly warns against power flushing them.

The first question I would ask is whether any of these guys quoting $2000
transmission replacements even looked at the fluid level first.

 

No, Honda automatics do *not* have have replaceable strainers that you
just replace "after dropping the pan".

The transmission case is basically two halves of an egg shell, and
requires major work just to replace the strainer. That's why Honda
added an external one, a cheaper version of Magnafine:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/Magnafine-Transmission-Filters/4294964653-600010252.jcw

Or you can go to your Honda dealer and pick on up. Make sure it's
installed in the correct direction or you'll junk the transmission in
no time.

 

You are so right!!

 

Maybe but it is the cheapest place to start.

 

I may be mistaken, I thought it had a filter. I wonder if HE checked the
trans stick???