Help with the 96 Transmission.

Hello folks. I have a 96 Lx auto 4 cylinder and yesterday the check
engine light come on. I take the car to the Firestone today and after
$160 (it is actually cheaper at the the dealer; they only charge $102 to
check the code), they told me it is the transmission and they don't
touch that. Here is the code: P0740 Converter Clutch problem. They
recommend 3 different transmission shop and they all give me different
price and opinion. This is my first time have to do with transmission,
can someone give me some advice?
The car has over 110k miles on it.
AAmco: They said don't just fix the converter, I need a total rebuilt
transmission. It will cost $1500 and up, they will take it apart first
and if it cost more than that, they will call me and if I don't like the
price (more than 1500), they will put it back and charge me $350 for
taking it apart.
Local Tran shop: They will not repair it either but will charge $2495
flat fee and warranty for 1 year or 12000 miles. They told me if
something is wrong with the converter, then the transmission must be in
pretty bad shape. Even I fix the converter, I will probably back with
some other transmission problem in few thousand miles.
Local shop B: They will fix the converter for $1200 and if I want a
rebuild, they will inspect the transmission before giving me a price
quote.
Local shop C: They will not fix the converter but will rebuilt the
transmission which they will give me a new converter for $2600. It has
a 3 year and 36000 miles warranty.
I am really confuse and don't know who to trust. Can someone give me
some idea before I spent at least 1200 and more? Thanks.

 

Simple.... buy a new car.




....................
I do not killfile nor use do-not-call lists.

 

I will have to agree on this one. It doesn't seem to be worth the hassle and
you
will never had peace of mind afterwards.

 

Keep driving it. Make sure there's fluid in the tranny. You might have the
fluid pumped out and replaced and see what happens. If it stops working why
not have your mechanic put in a used tranny from a junkyard? These trannies
should not fail, so I think a used one might work out. So ask about
installing a used transmission. Too bad you wasted so much money to have the
code read. Local "Auto Zone" parts stores read them for free around here.

 

P0740 Converter lockup Clutch is controlled by a solenoid pack on top
of the transmission housing. It is the thing with 2 little brass/rusty
cylinders with a wire. When you open the hood you it see it on the
transmission, you can't miss it.

Sometime when the transmission fuild has not been changed for a long
time the valves inside the soleniod will be sticky or just cough with
dirt and reduce the oil pressure to the lock up cluctch. The part
costs about $200 from a Honda dealer. Why not try that at a Honda
dealer? They should know more about Honda transission than AAMCO.

The second plan is just keep driving until you replace it with a
junkyard transmission. The transmissions on 96 accord last a long
time, usually. You don't need to put a brand new transmission on a car
that already has 100k.

 

Thanks for all the suggestion. If I decide to keep the car for a year or so, I
should first take it to a dealer? The local Honda dealer want $112 just to look at
the code (they don't trust Firestone reading). If they suggest replacing the
converter or transmission then I should take it to a mechanic and ask to replace a
used transmission? I guess looking at the cost with estimate labor from the dealer,
I could be looking at around $500? What is the price for a used transmission? How
much will it cost (approx.) to replace the one in the car? Thanks again. I feel I
have a better grip of the situation. If there is fluid in the transmission, is it
ok to drive?

 

Honda service bulletin #98-040 details out repair procedures for this code
and involves reading out the "freeze data" collected by the PCM at time of
code up to determine the correct course of action.

Depending on the conditions during code up there are on of two courses of
action to be taken. Procedure "a" is a specific method of flushing the trans
fluid. Procedure "b" is replacing the PCM (vehicle computer) with an updated
unit. The original unit was too sensitive to conditions that were likely to
set P0740 in error. It is also possible to have an internal trans problem
causing this code and the freeze data will help to check this if the code
persists.

Note that this bulletin should be performed by a qualified Honda technician.
Also note that the warranty on the PCM has been extended on this model in
the US under the extended emission warranty to 14 year or 150,000 miles.

So...see you local Honda dealer...they are your FRIENDS.
..

 

----------------------------
Lynn,
First of all, determine if the code is correct, otherwise it's all
speculation and do-it-yourself ulcers. If you're in USA, go to
AutoZone(?) and they can read and reset the code for free. In the mean
time, read your owner's manual and learn how to check your tranny fluid.
If the code is correct, procede with tranny troubleshooting: Check
your service records and see if your tranny has ever been flushed. If
not, have it done ASAP and Honda fluid should be used.

If you find out the code was wrong, let us know where the problem leads
you.....

'Curly'

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

 

Thanks psychicmechanic and Curly. The information (code) is accurate, I paid
$150 to have Firestone (big mistake after reading from this newsgroup but live
and learn) read that code. I never have the transmission fluid flushed. I have
it replaced when I did my 60K miles service. I check the stick on the
transmission, it seem to be on the full level. I already make an appointment
with a local Honda dealer to have them check the car out tomorrow. I want to be
inform before I bring it in, I just move to this part of town a few months ago
and not sure about any dealer in this area. Is there anything question, price
range or things I should be aware of before I tell them if I should go ahead
with the repair? I would like to fix it but I just don't want to put down 1500
to fix a car that might not worth 4000. Thanks again!

 

Thank you thank you thank you!!!! I took the car to the dealer and they did
exactly what you said. They are going to replace the PCM for me tomorrow. It
is all cover under the warranty!!!! I feel so silly now going to the Firestone
and being charged for $135 (can I say they don't know what they are doing) and
nearly follow their advice and have the transmission rebuilt. You just save me
a lot of money, thanks again. This group is great!!!!

 

Your welcome. Glad I could help. Hint...mechanics and service advisors like
donuts - or so i've been told.