Rep Power: 0

Well, it IS an automatic and I thought that might be why it screams and the RPM goes up to over 3k easily when you just go slowly to even 25 mph, but then someone told me otherwise and I was just wondering. Anyone know what could be causing this? Because I know the transmission isn't bad and the car only has 50k mileage on it. I recently changed the spark plugs and that didn't seem to do anything. Can anyone suggest anything else to me? Thanks...

 
Rep Power: 292

change the transmission fluid? Thats just an idea. I'm a manual guy myself so im not good for much here.

 
Rep Power: 275

More details, please. Are you saying it won't shift out of 2nd gear, or is it not engaging at all? dopes6070 is the transmission guru around here. more info would help in a diagnosis. like helmet said, fluid levels and fluid changes are good. it might be a control problem with the trans electronics if it isn't detecting when to shift. When it does shift, is it really hard? Hard shifts can be caused by not enough fluid.

More details need to be given for anyone to really have a good shot at diagnosis.

 
Rep Power: 0

it can also be caused by bad clutch packs inside the transmission between 2nd and 3rd gears, but id check the small things before i went ripping it apart, like the fluid level, and dont forget to check on a level surface, with the car off(not running) also, are you throwing any DTCs?

 
Rep Power: 244

Yeah I wouldn't say that is normal. I am the type of guy that holds my RPM's steady. Have you tried not mashing the pedal and just hold it at 3500? I do that and I end up at 80mph on the last gear. If you are mashing the pedal the RPMS will shoot up.

 
Rep Power: 0

Sorry, for my earlier post lacking enough details, but that seems to be all that I have; though I CAN explain the problem to a higher extent: It basically feels like the car isn't easily getting out of 2nd and 3rd gears. It as if I have to really wait long until the car actually realizes that the gear needs to be changed. I tested it on higher gears as well and the same result applies. SO... The car is basically not changing gears as fast as it should. I also get a "jirk" many times, as if a shift-shock, when the car picks up from 1rst to 2nd gear. I NEVER push the pedal hard, and always try to wait for the transmission to catch up and change the gear instead of pushing it. When changing gears, my RPM goes between 3k to 4k, even if I am not pushing the pedal hard, but the car also screams as if I am pushing the pedal too hard, which I'm not... In an auto trany, I think that is a serious problem. lordhelmet said that lack of transmission fluid might be the cause, I'll check on that. Any other idea's? Hope I provided enough information. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 244

Well like it has beed suggested check the fluid, note the color too. If the color isn't too dark it might be worth taking it in for a tranny flush and a new filter for it. Then install a tranny cooler!!! I have to do that mod soon.

 
Rep Power: 256

bad torque converter? sounds similar to a slipping clutch and the automatic tranny counter-part is the torque converter. just my .02 cents. PM dopes. he knows his tranny stuff. i think he has one for sale too in case you needed it.

 
Rep Power: 476

check the fluid when the car is off but still warm

 
Rep Power: 345

if you notice something is up with the fluid. you can always do a trannie filter change. and when you drop the pan there should be a magnet there to catch any metal shavings. if you notice there is alot of shavings. then something is wrong.

 
Rep Power: 0

isnt this a common problem with the auto's? I really thought there were problems with the clutch packs that caused similar problems to this(i dont own an auto) ill check mitchell and see if this is listed as a common problem, btw...

do u have any check engine light, or trans light?

 
Rep Power: 476

there are no tranny filters pete unless you take the tranny apart and yes wipe off the metal shavings on the plug when you take it out. There is no pan. There will always be some crap on the end of the plug but if its covered in **** than drain it again like a few weeks later and if it is still a lot of metal on it, bring it to honda

There was also a tsb on the clutch packs from 01-03 i believe but do all the easy stuff first i guess

 
Rep Power: 0

ok, here is what mitchell says:

Erratic 1-2 upshift

possible cause: stuck 1-2 shift valve or defective shift control solenoid valve "A"

Erratic 2-3 upshift

possible cause: stuck 2-3 shift valve or defective shift control solenoid valve "B"

Erratic 3-4 upshift

possible cause: stuck 3-4 shift valve or defective shift control solenoid valve "A"

Erratic 1-2, 2-3 & 3-4 upshift

possible cause: defective countershaft speed sensor

Harsh 1-2 upshift

Possible cause: defective 2nd clutch, defective A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve "A" or "B", stuck CPC valve, foreign material in main orifice, defective torque converter clutch solenoid valve, or defective mainshaft speed sensor

Harsh 2-3 upshift

Possible cause: defective 3nd clutch, defective A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve "A" or "B", stuck CPC valve, defective 2nd accumulator, stuck 2nd orifice control valve, foreign material in main orifice, defective torque converter clutch solenoid valve, or defective mainshaft speed sensor

Harsh 3-4 upshift

Possible cause: defective 4th clutch, defective A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve "A" or "B", stuck CPC valve, defective 3nd accumulator, stuck 3-4 orifice control valve, foreign material in main orifice, defective torque converter clutch solenoid valve, or defective mainshaft speed sensor

Thats all i got, good luck, ps, i like rep(and no this wasnt copy and paste, mitchell doesnt allow it) and yes, im a rep *****

 
Rep Power: 345

o im not a auto man. i know there is auto filters i just didnt know if civics had em lol u would know more than me.

 
Rep Power: 0

Very sorry for the delayed reply guys, and I appreciate all your efforts to help me (I'm a student and exams were keeping me away from my computer ). I got a transmission flush and it seemed to help a little, because now the car doesn't rev too far above 3,000 RPM... I got a filter change and got my tires rotated as well... I even installed a performance full-catback system (which showed results, but of course only made it so I could push the cars RPM more). I recently drove my fathers old '99 Kia Sephia and realized that it runs worlds smoother than my civic! The transmission STILL jerks when changing pretty much all gears (all 4 of them)! Please HELP ME!!

 
Rep Power: 813

greencivic is right, its the defective clutches. most 01-02 auto civic tranny has this problem and wont make it past 100k miles. mine started slipping 2>3 when i had 50k miles and its getting worse. i have an 02. the jerk is normal when you slow down to 15mph and then push the gas to accelerate. like you said, just push the gas gently and it wont be a big deal. if you dont drive the car hard, you could still get a couple years of use before it doesnt shift at all and needs to be replaced. tell the shop you want an 05 tranny when they change it, or get the TCI overhaul kit and have them build up the one you have. is your check engine light on?

 
Rep Power: 0

oh man, my civic has 51k miles on it and it seems to do the same thing you are talking about! Does that mean I need to replace the transmission (because that would suck)?!
I bought this car recently at 50k, so I had it inspected... It passed the emissions with flying colors, and there is no check-engine light on. In case I DO need to replace it, what is a general price for an 05 civic transmission, or even an 01 for that matter? I would really love it if there was another solution... (Thanks for the help again guys!)

 
Rep Power: 0

maybe a manual swap :P or another bizarre idea: maybe you got a car with a built auto transmission :P

 
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that happen to my friend once...if auto tran didnt know how to shift by itself when it should .. then somethin wrong wit the trasmission... it wont make any noise or anythin... i forgot what exactually...but yea..is the trassmission

 
Rep Power: 0

oh is a maunal. my bad.. then like gearbox said .. might be the clutch

 
Rep Power: 813

autos have clutches too. just keep driving til it breaks, then call honda and see if they will help out on the costs. it will be expensive. or find a shop to rebuild your current trans with the TCI upgrade kit.

 
Rep Power: 0

I do have an automatic transmission, and thanks gearbox for the help. It seems I'll have to bear through this annoying jittery transmission for now. Does anyone know any online websites where I can buy cheaply priced civic transmission (OEM or after market)?