1994 Honda Civic - Transmission issue

[ritchie001]

Hi All,

Im new to this forum. Just purchased a 1994 Honda Civic Automatic Sedan for my wife..

Now the Transmission has a tiny (perhaps major?) issue that it takes a few seconds to change the gears when you rave and u can actually "feel" it.

have spoken to few friends who has/used to have civics and they reckon a transmission oil change would fix the problem. Then spoke to Honda dealership and they reckon draining the old oil and filling new oil might cause more problem or might fixed the issue for good..50%-50% chance according to them..

As i am really confused with what to do...I hope someone can give me a good insight and a possible resolution?...

Thanks in advance guys!!:thumbsup:

[MWAKU]

I'm lost.. What you mean when you rave? :S

Wat happens :S

I think you should just top up the gearbox fluid..

[ritchie001]

Hi Mwaku,

rave = acceleration :)

means, i have to accelerate bit harder to get the gears changed (?) .. and i can feel the "nudge" slightly when the gears change..

yeah..i hope it is as simple as topping up the fluid but bit paranoid after what the Honda dealership mechanic said..

any ideas?

[MWAKU]

Like does the car shake, tremor?

But yeah, from my personal experience, i think topping it up with auto transmission fluid should do it. Have you check the fluid yet even? If its low, well you know what 2 do. If its not.. i don't know.

(i had auto eg hatch, from 1st -> 2nd, car shoke and shaked, had to get the whole gearbox fixed :X)

[ritchie001]

WOW..thats a quick reply! cheers mate..

Yes, i am going to check the fluid levels tonight..fingers crossed its low! :)

if not..umm..thats the sticky bit! hoprfully i wont have to change the whole gear box..

how much did it cost u to change the gear box?

[MWAKU]

No idea, i got it under warranty from the dealer.. but took like 2 weeks for the mechanic to fix it (ordering in parts and stuff)

but i would roughly estimate 1 grand.. possibly more. (was a brand new gearbox and inc. labor - auto gearbox aint that simple to take out)

if its not low, i would take it to a mechanic, cause it might be the auto gear solenoids that control the gear selection, or the gear pulley. But i say, 95% is just your low level fluid.

[BluEG]

Top up the fluid or flush and replace it to see it makes a difference.

if not the could be actual transmission probs

[ritchie001]

I have checked the oil levels and it seems to be normal and the oil didnt look "black"..its more dark brownish..ummmm..i think the best thing to do is take a chance and get the honda dealership to flush the oil out and do the necessary service..worse case scenario replace the bl0ody gear box :(...

ummmm..

[MWAKU]

..The transmission fluid is red.. isn't it?

Do you know where the transmission fluid is? Its like a bit left to the oil stick place.. its got a cap.. transmission fluid is redish.

[ritchie001]

yes, ive found where the transmission fuild dip is..it has a yellow cap and a tag saying "use only genuine honda transmission oil" ..

the oil wasnt really red..its light bronish..may be oil has never been changed? or perhaps the previous owner added some cheap as crap??

[Paul1985]

definately try a fluid change.
once an auto goes its either a very expensive rebuild. Its usually cheaper to throw in another gearbox.

[Paul1985]

the oil is red when its new, it will go brownish as it gets on..
as long as its not really dark then its usually ok. If its really dark then its being burnt which isnt a good sign.

[ritchie001]

alright...can you DIY the fluid change?

i've never done this before...any hints, tips, pics, advice?...

Cheers guys..

[ritchie001]

the oil wasnt that dark..i would say the color is similar to....umm..new engine oil?..or tad bit darker..

[Paul1985]

alright...can you DIY the fluid change?

i've never done this before...any hints, tips, pics, advice?...

Cheers guys..

Yes you can.
If you are going to i recommend you goto supercheap/burson/repco and purchase a haynes manual for the car (i payed $40 for one the other day).

In this manual it will go through step by step on the filling procedure and what and what not too do.

Im not sure on the filling method for an auto honda. I did a hyundai the other day and it has a drain plug, you drain all the fluid out, tighten plug, fill slowly through dipstick tube till it reaches the marks on the dipstick.. Take it for a short drive and be sure to run it from P to 1 then to N, re-check dipstick level when cars at operating temp and top upto the full line. Be very careful not to overfill or underfill the trans, this is important.

Could be slightly different on the honda.

Newer model cars that have auto transmissions are sealed for life and to drain them you need to remove the whole sump tray and then when filling up you need to pump the fluid in through a plug on the side until it starts to trickle out.

Thats why i recommend you get the haynes manual as each car can vary, from there its an easy DIY as long as you are competent enough to put the car on stands and drain some fluid.

The ATF fluid to top it up will prob cost you $50 or $60. Its not real cheap stuff.

Good luck with it.

[sir_egg]

Yes you can.
If you are going to i recommend you goto supercheap/burson/repco and purchase a haynes manual for the car (i payed $40 for one the other day).

In this manual it will go through step by step on the filling procedure and what and what not too do.

Im not sure on the filling method for an auto honda. I did a hyundai the other day and it has a drain plug, you drain all the fluid out, tighten plug, fill slowly through dipstick tube till it reaches the marks on the dipstick.. Take it for a short drive and be sure to run it from P to 1 then to N, re-check dipstick level when cars at operating temp and top upto the full line. Be very careful not to overfill or underfill the trans, this is important.

Could be slightly different on the honda.

Newer model cars that have auto transmissions are sealed for life and to drain them you need to remove the whole sump tray and then when filling up you need to pump the fluid in through a plug on the side until it starts to trickle out.

Thats why i recommend you get the haynes manual as each car can vary, from there its an easy DIY as long as you are competent enough to put the car on stands and drain some fluid.

The ATF fluid to top it up will prob cost you $50 or $60. Its not real cheap stuff.

Good luck with it.

amen :thumbsup: yer as paul1985 said their are different ways of draining n topping up your auto transmission oil depending on car(holden for 1 has plugs where you have to undo n drain then top up from side of box. If you have to remove the auto fluid sump i advise u get a new gasket. gl m8

[[XsCaPe]]

i had the same thing on my daily driver eg vti. changed the fluid twice and it helped a bit but a few months back the transmission let go. it might just be the torque converter, im not sure, but anyway its very hard to find a replacement tranny (m24a) - been looking for months in victoria and the only place that has one wants $1100 exchange.

[fabezzz]

Does it "fix" itself after the car is warmed up?

[myztery]

one thing that i found on most autos is that if the trans oil hasn't been changed in a while, it tends to thin out to much causing it to burn out the solenoids...

[Bogan69]

..worse case scenario replace the bl0ody gear box :(...I've got an M24A if you need one, cheaper than wreckers :).

Cheers,


Tony