What's wrong with my car?!

[combee]

I need help, I am panicking!

I have a 2001 Honda Civic VI, auto transmission. It has ~172000 kms on the clock.

It has always had a bit of trouble accelerating when I have been at a red light on an upwards slope, but I figured this happened with smaller cars.

Tonight I was driving home, and a few blocks away from my house, after braking to turn a corner, my car would not accelerate again. It didn't stall, it just wouldn't accelerate again. I pulled over, turned the engine on and off, made sure I didn't have the hand brake up, and it was ok for a bit till I turned another corner again, the same thing happened again - the car wouldn't accelerate no matter how hard I hit the accelerator pedal after braking when the car was in D.

I managed to get home but now I don't know what to do. Luckily I can get along ok with public transport for now but I want the car fixed. The car is also due for a major service I think. The last couple of times my dad checked the oil filters etc but I think I should get everything looked at.

First of all, what is wrong with my car? Is it going to be an expensive or difficult problem to fix?

And secondly, for getting the car fixed and for the service, should I take the car to an official Honda dealer/service centre, or would it be fine to take it to a mechanic? I want to make sure it's good quality work and I don't mind paying a bit extra since I have set aside money for things like this, but I don't want to get ripped off especially since I don't know a lot about these things.

Thanks!!!

[Super-DA9]

Wow that is a really strange issue! I don't suppose you know if your car has "electronic throttle control"? I doubt it but thought it would be worth asking.

Also when you say the car isn't accelerating, is it still revving up but not moving much? 'cause auto transmissions can slip really badly when they get issues.

[curtis265]

+1 to revving - engine's definitely on and you're revving it out heaps?

Probably is your gearbox or torque converter.

obtw, redbook doesn't say it's got DBW...

[combee]

It doesn't have electronic throttle control, no.

And yeah, the car revs, engine is definitely on.

[JohnO]

i remember my dads legend had the same problem except you rev it but shit thing wont budge. it turned out to be the gearbox being busted.

[combee]

Do you remember how much it cost to fix? I know it will be different since a Legend is a bigger car, but it would be nice to get a ballpark figure.

[JohnO]

sold the car , but with gearbox issues you might be looking at 900+

[dc2r-0636]

had this problem in my dads daily magna bout 5 years back. it was the gearbox. would be driving and then suddenly it wouldnt go just roll... and the engine would rev but.
'

[grifty]

it could be the servos, like it could be stuck in 4th gear because the servo is stuck so thats why the car moves very slowly.

best you take it to a transmission expert.

[Super-DA9]

manual swap! :D :D :D

[Lukey]

like grifty said, id take it to an auto transmission place. if it is the gearbox/something to do with the gearbox, could work out cheaper to drop in a replacement unit.

[bennet654]

when its throttle related, change the spark plugs first :) then have a look at your fan belt.

[GenesisEG]

Check fluid levels in the transmission. If the automatic transmission fluid is too low, it'll neutralise the gearbox and it'll rev but go nowhere.

If it's a CVT, you're in for a fun ride. The oil for a CVT is expensive and if the wrong oil has been used, it can mess up the box.

But yeah, first check the transmission fluid level. If it happens after you turn a corner, it could be because the level is low, and the sideways forces generated by turning cause the fluid to move to the side of the transmission. It's like having a straw in the middle of a cup, and then tilting the cup so the liquid moves to the side, the straw won't suck up anything because it's no longer touching the bottom of the straw.

[Lukey]

when its throttle related, change the spark plugs first :) then have a look at your fan belt.

shouldnt have a fan belt?


Check fluid levels in the transmission. If the automatic transmission fluid is too low, it'll neutralise the gearbox and it'll rev but go nowhere.

If it's a CVT, you're in for a fun ride. The oil for a CVT is expensive and if the wrong oil has been used, it can mess up the box.

But yeah, first check the transmission fluid level. If it happens after you turn a corner, it could be because the level is low, and the sideways forces generated by turning cause the fluid to move to the side of the transmission. It's like having a straw in the middle of a cup, and then tilting the cup so the liquid moves to the side, the straw won't suck up anything because it's no longer touching the bottom of the straw.

good post. and most transmission places wont touch CVT transmissions either if you do happen to have one

[Limbo]

the VI is very touchy, some of them are CVT some aren't they are a mixed breed, depending on the exact yr model.
if you want to find out ring honda with your chassis number.

My Gf's 2001 VI is not CVT but some are. When i was at the mechanics was told the VI GB is fragile, alot of them can have issues, easily due to no maintenance.
They need to be regularily gbox oil changed. every 20k apparently.

Try getting the gb oil changed first that may solve the issue, sometimes it may take 2 changes if it hasn't been changed for a long time.
I was told 1k for the transmission to be changed and replaced with a second hand unit, they are not as comon as the other civics.

Very common on the Jazz which is the little brother of the VI