Car Lunging-Jerky at low speeds

I have a 98 Civic EX and it has begun to lunge at low speeds. It is an automatic
and seems like the jerkiness is at gear changing. there is no idle problem and it runs
fine on the highway.

Any ideas?

 

------------------------

If it was a manual tranny with very high mileage, I'd say it was your TPS.

What's the mileage and what kind of tranny fluid was used last time it
was changed?

'Curly'

 

This is my son's car so I am not sure when the last time the transmission fluid was
changed nor what type was used.

I can say that the level is correct.

There are almost 147000 miles on the car.

I took it for another test drive this morning and noticed a couple more things.

1. When the car changes gears there is a surge in RPMs for about a second or two
then drops back down.

2. The speedomoter is jumoing all over the place, even when the car is in park and
idling. I just need to press on the accelerator and it jumps. It can go from anywhere to
the maximum speed of the car.

3. The Engine light is on. Although my son says it has been on for months and
attributes it to the gas cap having issues. The problem here is only started Friday.

Gerry

 

1. When the car changes gears there is a surge in RPMs for about a second

Maybe the vehicle speed sensor is bad -- that might explain the speedometer
and perhaps is confusing the ECU and throwing off the shift points...

 

---------------------------------

Get the codes read for free. Tell us the numbers. Fill the rad and
reservoir according to the owner's manual. (we doubt you son has looked
in there). :-(
Change the tranny fluid once for sure with Honda Z1 (only / ever). Tell
your son that the ENGINE light is the "don't drive the car" light.

'Curly'