automatic transmission failure question

Toyota and Honda generally overengineer things. I had an '85 Celica with a
W58 MT that was rated for 240 HP. The engine only attained 145 at factory
spec. Even when I replaced it with a newer engine I still wasn't pushing
the limit. Plenty of headroom.

Interestingly, the same trans is (er, was) used in my 200 HP Non-Turbo
Supra, with only 40 HP headroom.

The AT in the Supra is also rated at 240, and is also used in Jeep Grand
Cherokees.

 

eh? diagnosis is the cheapest place to start...

 

There must be a filter somewhere? Nothing in the cooler lines? No pan to
drop?

For a '97:

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/bwp/044-0319/image/8/

Interesting...when you look up replacement info, it says to drop the
pan...but it HAS no pan!

 

$5 adder per knuckle?

 

I believe he was already given a diagnosis (albeit it, probably wrong)
that was more expensive then what the car is worth. I would think
spending $30-$100 is an acceptable risk to see if it it can be
salvaged if the rest of the vehicle is in fairly sound condition. If
it doesn't work, all that is lost is a few bucks. Beyond that, it
probably isn't worth it to open the housing, as just that portion
could cost more in personal time and/or money for a proper diagnosis.

 

Thanks to everyone who provided some advice.
The transmission fluid level is above the lower notch. But that is a
cold reading.
I can't get the transmission up to temperature to perform a more
accurate reading, as it won't drive.
I can't imagine that just adding fluid would magically bring it back
to life - but I am no expert.
I wish the the transmission computer had a similar interface like the
engine has OBDII
The failure seems entirely "fail safe" electrical as I had no symptoms
until I safely came to a stop.

 

it does - they're connected. any error codes should be interfaced
through the same system.

it could be something simple like a solenoid failure, or even cable
disconnect. again, if you can't inspect and diagnose yourself, find
someone who can.

and all this stuff about "uneconomic to repair" is grossly
underinformed. you'll lose more in depreciation on any new vehicle than
you will repairing this. and you can buy a low mileage jdm transmission
for a few hundred bucks, assuming this one is broken - and that's unproven.

 

A whole $25? Big deal. It's going to cost more than that for a 'diagnosis'.

Most Honda dealers charge $65 just to look at it. The OP didn't give any
timeline as to the last drain and fill, or if he bought the car new, and
filling the trans is so easy I bet even you could do it...

If it's only a quart or two low, that's a whopping $7 Yeah, it's worth a
shot, esp from the description of the problem he gave.

 

Solenoid failure will cause the trans to jump into limp mode.
I've been driving a Supra that way for 5 years.

As far as cables, that's easy. Open the hood and have a look.

 

I give myself a 50% discount...

And use it to buy mechanic's gloves...if I ever wear them!

Here's a challenge! Want to talk about busted knuckles? Try changine the
SPARK PLUGS!!!!

http://www.supradreams.com/images/1988-turbo-engine.jpg

http://www.dragtimes.com/images/7613-1988-Toyota-Supra.jpg

 

but this is not a planetary transmission big guy. you're not "limping"
anywhere if you don't have a circuit engaged.

ya think???

 

and be completely wasted because the probability of it being simply oil
is next to zero. you know about honda transmissions, right?

see above.

 

because knuckle-draggers can handle it.

 

Pay attention. The guy is driving a 12 year old car. Most likely he's
NOT Donald Trump. Given that - he can PAY to have it towed to a dealer or
transmission shop for a diagnosis. MAYBE free maybe cost. What can a
SHADETREE mechanic do to check stuff out? First check the trans dipstick.
Then change fluid. If it is still dead, get a different trans at the bone
yard or send it to the crusher and get an 11 year old Honda.

 

Try draining the fluid and replacing it. It may take some time for it to
pump up. A couple minutes. If it is still dead, call a priest, it's time for
a newer car.

 

ANY automatic transmission can shut down when the lubricant is
contaminated. At almost 300K it is quite possible depending on how it has
been driven that the fluid is bad. When you consider HOW automatic
transmissions work, with the fluid to shift, if that fluid has gone bad (at
300k???) it may not want to shift. I grant you that is more common on
American Automatics, but the same concepts apply. You could be right that it
is a waste of time and money. BUT it might not be. However SMALL the chances
are it's better than just leaving it sit in the driveway or spending $2000
to fix it. He might be able to pick up a working trans at a bone yard for a
couple hundred bucks.

 

just because /you/ have been brainwashed with that detroit thinking,
doesn't mean the rest of us have to take it up the ass the same way. 11
years is nothing for a honda - unless it's rusty or crashed. repair and
get another 10 years of free motoring.

 

the chances of filter clogging onset so sudden and so severe as
described is almost zero.

that fix is what i said - buy used low mileage jdm. great solution. a
solution not available for you detroit guys - ha ha!

 

Let's start with facts NOT in evidence here. I own a 2008 Honda CR-V.
280,000 miles is a great deal EVEN FOR a Civic. My bet is the car has been
neglected. Almost nobody changes the fluids or filters in their automatics
until it stops. With proper maintenance a modern automatic transmission
should last almost indefinitely with normal use. However IF you are pulling
a 65 foot boat with your Civic, it may not last that long. It's nice playing
the role of a SMUG SMART ASS on the internet. With a problem like this you
start with the obvious of checking the trans stick which may not tell you
much. If you feel the fluid and feel no grit than you do stage 2, put it
back on and then let it drip on a paper towel and look. What color is it?
How does it smell? Burned? In any event for the average guy, draining the
fluid and replacing it with fresh Honda ATF is the next cheapest. (While
under the car check for damage and leaks.) If it is still dead - they you
are faced with repair or replace. You are right, the Honda transmissions are
very durable, which means it should not be very hard to find a serviceable
trans in a bone yard. Or you can take it to a trans shop.

 

I am told that the 96 Honda has NO filter. However ANY auto can sludge
up and quit. Most folks pay no attention to warning signs until a car just
quits.

First of all I am NOT a "detroit guy." I own a Honda CR-V. Second of all
depending on what transmission you are talking about, American automatics
are VERY durable, with some GM transmissions being a rather notorious
exception. GM went through period when their automatics were pure SHIT!
(Late 80's) For the most part if you maintained a trans, changing the fluid
and filter about every 24,000 miles they'd run forever. Chrysler had some
problems with the transmissions on some minivans. Ford has had fairly
reliable if unspectacular automatics.