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Hey everybody,
I thought maybe I was crazy hearing noises and feeling the car differently, but now I am thoroughly convinced something is not right with my 2002 Honda civic lx 1.7L, auto trans. Let me get right to the problem:
I have problems with the power in my acceleration, particularly into 1st and 2nd gear. It feels like it has no juice to it when I try to get into those gears. Like when I am at a stop light, it takes a long time to shift into those gears and get going smoothly. Or when I am going up a hill, forget about it, it is super slow to shift. I don't want to push on the pedal to hard because previously I did that and something else strange happened: the car didn't move at all when i was accelerating. It made a strange noise like one of the belts wasnt hooked up right. I pulled over, shut off the car, and luckily it worked again. Once I'm traveling at higher speeds it is okay. I recently changed my spark plugs, air filter, got an oil change. My tranny fluid is a little low now, and am thinking of putting that LUCAS shift oil in it to help it shift better. What do you guys think is causing this problem?? I bought the car used, with 65 thousand miles. I know the timing belt is due for a change, but I didnt think that would have an effect on my car like that, would it?? Any advice will be GREATLY GREATLY appreciated. Please advise. Thank YOU!!!

 
Rep Power: 313

Strange issue there. I can't really tell you what the problem is because it could be many things, but I can tell you NOT to use Lucas anything. It won't help. The only question I have is how many shifts can you feel? It could be that your missing a gear or two?

I'm not a transmission guy but it's a thought.

 
Rep Power: 233

To me it sounds like the transmission isnt shifting right. Its shifting too late. Also never run your transmission with low fluid. Thats whats causing the slow shifting. If i were you i would change the transmission fluid with Honda OEM fluid. I think its called Honda ATF-Z1. Only use honda automatic transmission fluid.

 
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Hey all, thanks for the contributions, duly appreciated. Just drove the car after letting it sit for 2 days and it shifts a lot smoother for some reason (again, am I hearing/feeling things wrong with this car). Okay, so now I noticed another thing that I am THINKInG is the timing belt, check it out: When I drive the car and get a good speed going, I release the gas pedal and for some reason the car feels like it slows down, almost like it wants to come to a complete stop. You know how most cars just roll at its current speed for a while when you rlease the pedal? Mine slows down ever so slightly...COULD this be a timing belt problem?? Again, have 72k on the car, timing belt I heard should be replaced every 60k.. what do you guys think?? Input is appreciated, thanks in advance.

 
Rep Power: 313

Does your car shake while idling?

 
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My car idles beautifully, once it gets goin @ high speeds it drives nice.

 
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I have an 02 automatic when I first got my car, I drove the car like the Auto was stick like an idiot, the car drove just like u explained and the MalFunction light started blinking not check engine. they said the timing belt shifted .its been like 6 yrs , now have 130k never had a prob since and changed my timing belt around 95k no tranny probs either

 
Rep Power: 313

There you go, try that out... BTW. manual says timing belt is due for change at 100, 000 miles, but if you skipped the belt you might as well change it.

 
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I'm having the same problem with my 00 Accord. Through 1st and 2nd, it feels like you've got no juice, and then once it kicks into 3rd (and you've got the pedal to the floor, naturally), it zooms away.

120k Miles on it.

 
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Getting my timing belt changed tomorrow morning. Live updates from, probably strauss, as they quote price for labor, bought thre parts already. Thinking round 350. Gotta shell it out for the car. Hook it up!

 
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Update

Got my water pump, timing belt, ac/alternator belt and power steering belts replaced and insstalled. The problem has gone away, it shifts a lot smoother, no more 1st second gear problems. Anyone with the same problems I described, IMMEDIATELY GET A TIMING BELT job done, it could break and ruin the engine if not. The problem where it slows down is gone.

 
Rep Power: 313

Good thing you got it done. Strange at only 65k you needed the timing belt done since the manual says 100k. This will be good for others to know that have the same problem. If you don't mind me asking, how much was all the work in the end? I will be doing my timing belt in the fall. I'm probably going to do it myself but I'm just wondering how much the shops charge nowadays.

 
Rep Power: 266

65k and you're due for a t-belt?? I don't think so. 110k is fine. Some people change it at 90k but I think it's unnecessary.

 
Rep Power: 266

Yes and don't put the Lucas stuff in there, it increases wear. I saw a test done on bob the oil guy, but I can't find the link.

 
Rep Power: 266

That's seriously lame. Either you got a lemon of a belt, or the OEM belts have gone to poor quality. Maybe it wasn't the belt but the tensioner?

 
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since the car was used, anything could be up with the belt... when I bought my car they had just put on a new belt, but had it way too tight, I had to loosen it up... who knows what idiots may have worked on your car, just enjoy the fact that it works well now