Transmission Problems

I have a 1996 Accord EX, 4 cyl w/auto tranny, close to 107,000 miles.
About a week ago, I noticed that when I was climbing a hill at around
60 mph, the transmission was slipping a little bit. It seems like it is
trying to downshift to third, but I wasn't giving it enought throttle
to actually downshift, so it was just slipping. Reminded me of when you
have the gear selector in the wrong spot and it won't fully go into a
gear.

First thing I did was check the fluid level, and it was full and didn't
smell burnt. So now I'm a little concerned and I'm hoping there's
nothing wrong that will require replacing the whole thing. I'll admit
that we weren't able to do all of the scheduled maintenances on it
(insert starving student sob story here), and I'd really like to know
if changing the fluids and replacing tranny filter could help. I don't
have any other problems with it, and it's strictly when I'm at the low
end of the 4th gear range.

I've been reading about needing to use Honda ATF, which I'll go pick up
before I do the change. Can I pick up a filter for it at NAPA, or where
ever, or do I need to order an OEM replacement from Honda?

Thanks for the help. I'm hoping I can get a few thousand more miles out
of this before I buy something new!

 

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The filter is internal, and not to be touched. Drain-n-fill the tranny
with about 4 litres of Honda Z1. Drive it around for a while, or a week,
then do it again.

Make sure your coolant reservoir is at the MAX mark, since low coolant
can mess with your tranny's shift points. Pick up some Honda Premix if
it's presently at the MIN mark.

'Curly'

 

Hi Curly

My tranny's shift point sometime is erratic and I have noticed that my
coolant level is near MIN. Your post gave me something to think about.
Just wondering if I can just top it up with Honda premix coolants. I am
not sure how old the existing coolant but it looks greenish and thik
like cooking oil. I have been the owner of my 1996 civic for about 9
months. Its nearly at 218K km, auto trans.

Thanks in advance.

 

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Any time you buy a used car you should just assume that the previous
owner was an idiot. Change the vital fluids, especially the tranny and
brake fluid.

'Curly'

 

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I should have mentioned that you should also fill the coolant reservoir
to MAX, which will tell you (over the next few days) whether there is
air in the cooling system. Next time the engine cools down it will sip
coolant out of the reservoir and you might see the level drop. I just
keep mine at the MAX mark and it never moves at all.

Your manual tells you how often the coolant should be changed.

'Curly'

 

And use the Honda fluids, especially ATF. If it has non-Honda fluid in
it now, it may take a couple or three changes to completely solve any
problems.

 

It can't hurt to change the fluid. If it hasn't been donce since you can
remember, it wouldn't hurt to do it twice. Drive a day or two in between
changes.
Don't waste your time going to Napa or anywhere else. There is no trans
filter in your Honda transmission.