2001 AT Civic Trans slip problems

axelbee · 04-30-2009

My sons 2001 Civic that we acquired about 3 months ago comes equipped with an automatic transmission. The AT developed a problem that forced us to park the vehicle.
When warmed up it won't engage into gear, period. A whining noise about where the tranny connects to the engine suggests an internal problem (internal oil pump?). Funny thing is, when the car is cold it will operate for a while (without the whining noise), until that noise starts again and it quits service.
The car has about 160k miles on it now, it was well maintained by the previous owner (service records), the tranny oil level checks out o.k., and the fluid is clean and doesn't smell bad (but I do not know if the previous owner used Honda ATF).
Before I start now assuming the tranny is toast, and yank out the entire drivetrain to get to it for a rebuilt or swap, are there any suggestions on trying a fix that is less labor and $$$ intensive?

To remove this ad, register today for free or log in if already registered!

gearbox · 04-30-2009

its toast. the 01-02 and maybe later models have a defective clutch pack that wears out faster than the rest and once pieces of it clog the pump, thats the whine you hear just before its about to fail. needs a complete rebuild before it will shift again. if you search around there is even a honda issued TSB about the issue regarding defective secondary clutch pack early failure. im shocked the trans lasted that long. mine started slipping at 50k miles and i have around 90k now. lucky im still doing okay with it.