transmission problem '98 accord

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice on a transmission problem. It's a 4 speed
automatic, 98 accord lx, 91k miles. When cold, it stays in first gear
for a really long time, then slams into second gear. Sometimes after
slamming into second gear and comming to a stop, it takes off in what
seems like second gear. I got mad one time and floored it in first
gear and wound it up to a kind of high RPM, and it shifted/slammed into
second then eventually through all the gears just fine. It seemed as
though that "fixed" the problem for a few short days, then went back to
needing to be warmed up/babying first gear for a long time/slow rpm,
then it gets going into shifting ok. Will a flush/service help? I
seem to remember an old friend with a similar Honda tranny problem, and
was told it needed to be fixed asap, and it wound up lasting a few more
years, any thoughts on this? Also, any guestimate as to the cost of a
rebuilt one in Southern California?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post.

Eddy

 

When did you last change ATF and did you use Honda ATF. Did you check
the ATF level - when you do check the ATF level - smell the fluid and
daub a bit on something white like a porcelain cup to see the color -
if it smells burnt and is dark in color - fluid is burnt. Would
suggest anyone change the ATF every 30K and use only honda ATF.

Change the ATF several times using only Honda ATF - get it hot - drain
the ATF - takes around 3 quarts IIRC - check the manual - drive it for
50 miles or so - change it again and then one more time. If you are
lucky - it might be ok after that.

Here in the inexpensive midwest I have a guy who knows how to rebuild
honda trannies and he offered to do so replacing everything that wears
for $1,700. The places that rebuild trannies sometimes do terrible
work - they don't have the parts and do the rebuild wrong - took 3
trannies to finally get one that would work in a friends trailblazer.

 

Thanks Mitch (for the fast reply as well as the knowledge),

I assume (wrongly i'm sure ) that Honda checked/serviced it before
selling it to me as a certified pre owned just over 3 years ago. Since
then I have had it checked but not changed, i work really close to home
so I only put about 15K on it during those 3 years.

I will definetly try your suggestion, sounds like you know what you're
talking about, and it sounds like it's worth a shot.

I really appreciate it!!