Rep Power: 0

Hello,

I’ve have recently ran into some issues with my 03 LX with an automatic transmission. To emphasize the issues i’m going to provide some context.

I bought the vehicle in the summer of 2018 and it was evident from the start that the car had some problems. Most evident was a small slip or what I’ve read is considered a “flare” between almost every gear. While i was aware that it was there, i got used to driving it this way by releasing the accelerator right before it shifted to minimize the effect of the shift flare. I’ve been driving the car like this going into four years without any issues, save for other suspension components, brake work, and a snapped timing belt replacement needing to be done.

Within the past few months since my return to university, the amount of driving I have done has increased by an extra 200 miles a week from going back and forth to home on the weekends.

Today when leaving I could not manage to move the car while either in drive or reverse. Eventually after revving the vehicle pretty high, the car began to move and I had originally thought that it had just been slipping on the ice patch I had parked on. Needless to say I was wrong, because about 40 minutes into my drive I could not get the car to shift out of 2nd gear. Normally when it would do this I would let off the accelerator to let it shift but today it would not. After first gear, the revs climbed and climbed to nearly 6000 rpm but would not shift into second. I pulled over onto a backroad to try and resolve it by manually shifting the gear selector from D2-D3-D but could not get the car to move at all. The best way I could describe it was it felt like the transmission was barely grabbing, just faint pulses of forwards motion.

At this point I was fully aware that I was not going to get the car home under its own power and reversed it into a parking lot (reverse gear seemed fine) where I left it and called to have someone pick me up. I will be bringing the car home within the next two days to start trying to diagnose the issue. I have within the last two months checked the trans fluid which appeared to be at capacity and of acceptable quality. I’m not sure if this would have caused a transmission or CEL to go off on the dash but if anyone has any advice on where to start with diagnosis it would be much appreciated. I am unfortunately lacking funds to have a mechanic do repairs and would prefer to do any repairs regardless of difficulty at home.

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 126

A code may appear depending on the problem. I'd hook up a scanner regardless of if one shows up or not. P0730 sounds like a genuine possibility here. Someone can fact check me but the filters liked to clog on the pre-facelift models which also contributes to some slip.

 
Rep Power: 222

Should have fixed this 4 years ago, most likely need a new trans. You can try doing 3 drain and fills but I doubt it will help.

 
Rep Power: 211

Most likely a transmission issue. However, inspect the inner CV axles to ensure one or both didn't pop out of the differential.
You may want to consider trying this (at your own risk): https: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sea-Foam-Trans-Tune/30391239
Followed by a drain and fill using this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...-1-GA/15125768

 
Rep Power: 134

Transmission sounds like it lacks pressure to shift gears. Internal ATF filters are most likely clogged with clutch debris.
ATF maintenance of a drain and fill of Honda DW-1 ATF every 30K miles at least is the recommended interval. It's in the owner's manual.
Advice on next vehicle is to follow the manual on maintenance, especially the timing belt and transmission.