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Hey, sry if this is a double, the past two days ive visited and search i get a server error, so i couldn't look. I have a 98 ex auto with 152K on it. Basically its shifting kinda hard, like u can feel it kind of slap into the next gear once in a while, it doesnt do it every time i drive, in fact sometimes it drives perfect, but others its terrible. It is also a little slow to shift sometimes. So given these issues i was wondering if it could be the Linear Shift Solenoid, since ive read this was one of the common issues with 98 autos. If its not that it would have to be a bad clutch in the tranny, but it doesnt really slip so much.

 
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Have you tried the stall test? Try that and let us know what happens. How long has it been since you changed the fluid? If it's been a while do a drain and fill three times (use only Honda ATF Z-1 as it's Dexron II and you can't buy that in stores anymore).

Let us know!

Added: Oh, and shifting higher occasionally can be normal if a) the engine is cold or b) you are on an incline since the transmission has grade-logic.

 
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what would be considered the best overall brand to use in my 5 speed? would it still be the Honda ATF. I have been trying to see if there is something better out there that you can use. So I brought this discussion up to one of my friends who works on cars at the Honda dealership, and he says there is nothing better for your tranny other than Honda ATF.

 
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5 speed? Then you would need Honda MTF not ATF. Honda MTF is a synthetic blend with friction additives. The reason why they add friction additives is because prior to 96 all manual transmission Honda's were recommended to have 10W-30 (or 10W-40 for warmer temps) installed. Motor oils became much better around the time Honda switched due to more synthetic oils being blended in to motor oils to meet newer/stricter guidelines.

Now, that being said I have used Mobil 1 GL-5 gear lube in Honda manual transmissions with no ill effects to synchro's, the part that would suffer with synthetic blended, ie: newer motor oil.

Added: The only negative to the M1 GL-5 is the smell. Honda MTF smells a bit sulfurous but M1 GL-5 reeks!

 
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^ he is auto.

USE honda fluid (ATF) for the change, always use honda fluid for the transmission.

 
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Triz: yes, the original poster was an automatic, but the newest poster, bb4lifenine that I was replying to clearly stated 5 speed (the automatics were 4 speed in the 6g's).

SO whatever you have, just go with Honda fluid . If you have a manual transmission Mobil 1 GL-5 gear lube can work well also.

 
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Hey, thx for replying. Yeah i tried a stall test after i found a post about it on this site, the engine rev'd up to only around 2800, which the post said was withing the correct range by 500rpm. I have only had the car since last may, so i don't have any idea who changed it last, when, or what they put in, so i plan to change it ASAP, lol. Do these symptoms fit the bad fluid prob? Also something that is a little odd is that after the transmission has warmed, if i accelerate out of a right angle turn (stopped or very slow turn with no gas in) it feels like it is slamming into gear, no super harsh, but just abrupt in nature.

 
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I'd guess it could be the linear solenoid (as you first mentioned) FIRST-be sure the connections for the linear solenoid are clean and corrosion free. The solenoid can become sluggish or bind with dirt/contaminants--but that again *may* be fixed by draining and filling the fluid 3x. If not, check resistance between #1 & #2 terminals on the solenoid itself. If it's between 4.0-9.0 ohms, you are within spec. If that checks out I'd check the clicking of the valve by connecting #2 to battery positive and #1 to battery negative to be sure it clicks. If it's sticking/binding/sluggish, either remove and clean the valve and the attachment channels or remove and replace. Good luck!

 
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Alright I will first change fluid, see how it goes. If it stilll doesnt feel right ill check out the solenoid, i read on the review for this car (on consumerguideauto) that said on 98s the LSS can get "contaminated, causing harsh shifting" which is why i asked, now that you've given me the specs i can actually find out, lol. I wouldnt be surprised if it is contaminated since it's pushing eleven years and 150k. :-) thx, ill let ya know if I find anything new

 
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No problem. Hope the fluid change fixes it for you! Never heard of that site *shrug*.

 
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Lol, if you type in any car name and then "review" after it on google, it almost always shows up somewhere on the first page, often on the top. Its fully "consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com" or something like that. Its nice cuz it has tons of info on the average cars; known probs, engines, pricing, and general road tests.

 
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oops wrong thread.