Honda civic troubleshooting

The way I avoided this is that I decided to purchase a 5-speed stick, bypassing the auto trans issue. I'm aware of the auto trans problem. When it comes to troubleshooting, I was always taught to try the most simple, basic things first. 1) check trans fluid level with engine idling at operating temperature. 2) Look for electric wires leading to trans. Unplug and plug back in several times to loosen any corrosion on plug contacts and then squeeze in a small amount of dielectric grease. This will repel moisture and improve the electrical connection. This is actually a good idea to do this to ALL connections anywhere on the vehicle. This procedure fixed a hard shifting prob on an old pick-up truck I used to own too! If not...then it's off to the shop for a diagnosis. The way I avoided this is that I decided to purchase a 5-speed stick, bypassing the auto trans issue. I'm aware of the auto trans problem. When it comes to troubleshooting, I was always taught to try the most simple, basic things first. 1) check trans fluid level with engine idling at operating temperature. 2) Look for electric wires leading to trans. Unplug and plug back in several times to loosen any corrosion on plug contacts and then squeeze in a small amount of dielectric grease. This will repel moisture and improve the electrical connection. This is actually a good idea to do this to ALL connections anywhere on the vehicle. This procedure fixed a hard shifting prob on an old pick-up truck I used to own too! If not...then it's off to the shop for a diagnosis.

I'm sorry to tell you, but your Civic needs a transmission. This is how Hondas normally fail. What has happened is the clutches have worn out to the point that the filter is clogged with clutch material. As your Honda warms up, the clutch materials become compacted into the filter. The result is flow through the filter is restricted to the point where not enough fluid is getting through to the hydraulic system. The hydraulic system can't provide adequate pressure to what is left of the clutches and therefore the clutches don't have enough bite on the transmsission steels. So, the clutched are 'slipping' on the steels instead of turning the steels. It is the turning of the steels that converts hydraulic energy to mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is what makes your automatic transmission move your vehicle. I expect if you allow the transmission to cool down for a few minutes, it will start pulling again. This is because the filter has expanded to the point where hydraulic flow is getting through again. Don't waste time or money replacing the fluid. You cannot replace the filter. A Honda is built in a way that the olny way to change the filter is to remove the transmission, take it apart, put it back together with new seals, install it back into the car, and then fill it with fluid. Minimum: $800.00. But guess what, the clutches are still worn out. At the VERY BEST, all you will accomplish is a few days of normal driving. You need to rebuild the transmission! I own a transmission shop and we have done hundreds of Hondas. The cost? Between $1,600 and $2,600, depending on what a shop charges. Different shops charge different prices, depending on their skills, experience, and warranty. Anyone who charges less than $1,600 is either a friend or they're not charging enough to keep their doors open. You'll pay more at a Honda dealership. Last word, do not install a used Honda transmission. It will not last. Honda are very good cars, but the transmissions are their weak spot. Especially on Accords, Odysseys, and older Civics. Sorry to give you the bad news. Anyone who steals your money with solenoids or anything else, is not helping you. And mechanic who say otherwise just doesn't know Hondas. Good luck. Alan, CAPSTransmission.com. I'm sorry to tell you, but your Civic needs a transmission. This is how Hondas normally fail. What has happened is the clutches have worn out to the point that the filter is clogged with clutch material. As your Honda warms up, the clutch materials become compacted into the filter. The result is flow through the filter is restricted to the point where not enough fluid is getting through to the hydraulic system. The hydraulic system can't provide adequate pressure to what is left of the clutches and therefore the clutches don't have enough bite on the transmsission steels. So, the clutched are 'slipping' on the steels instead of turning the steels. It is the turning of the steels that converts hydraulic energy to mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is what makes your automatic transmission move your vehicle. I expect if you allow the transmission to cool down for a few minutes, it will start pulling again. This is because the filter has expanded to the point where hydraulic flow is getting through again. Don't waste time or money replacing the fluid. You cannot replace the filter. A Honda is built in a way that the olny way to change the filter is to remove the transmission, take it apart, put it back together with new seals, install it back into the car, and then fill it with fluid. Minimum: $800.00. But guess what, the clutches are still worn out. At the VERY BEST, all you will accomplish is a few days of normal driving. You need to rebuild the transmission! I own a transmission shop and we have done hundreds of Hondas. The cost? Between $1,600 and $2,600, depending on what a shop charges. Different shops charge different prices, depending on their skills, experience, and warranty. Anyone who charges less than $1,600 is either a friend or they're not charging enough to keep their doors open. You'll pay more at a Honda dealership. Last word, do not install a used Honda transmission. It will not last. Honda are very good cars, but the transmissions are their weak spot. Especially on Accords, Odysseys, and older Civics. Sorry to give you the bad news. Anyone who steals your money with solenoids or anything else, is not helping you. And mechanic who say otherwise just doesn't know Hondas. Good luck. Alan, CAPSTransmission.com.