Questions and Answers

Shiftless Honda Accord Q. Hi Vince! I have a 1992 Honda Accord wagon. Automatic transmission with approximately 77,000 miles on it. It runs and looks great, Except the transmission started to act funny a few months ago. However, every time I took it to the garage or to the dealer for service it worked fine. No mechanic could find anything wrong, even after checking the on-board computer.

After yesterday I assume it is the control unit to for the transmission that has finally given up. The lights on the dashboard indicates "double" , i.e. when in "N" or "R" the "D" also lights up. Actually the "D" stays on all the time. I checked with the local transmission shop and they say I need to replace the whole unit and estimate the cost (including labor) to $500.00 to $600.00 plus tax.

It still works and runs okay and I se second and fourth gears manually. The Honda mechanic also suggested that I replace the timing belt and the water pump soon (scheduled in the service book for 90,000 miles). That would jack the repair bill up well over $1,200.00.

Is there any other way to fix the transmission? What do you suggest?? Is it okay to "shift manually"?? How long should I wait to replace the timing belt package? I will be grateful for you comments.

All the best.....
Johny C.

A. It does sound like the Transmission Control Module (TCM) is bad.

There was a simple way to test if it were a TCM, shift solenoid or internal problem. Ask you Honda Dealer Technician to pull up TSB# SN920701 Dated: 07/01/1992 for instructions on how to make a simple tester that will pin point the problem while driving. It looks crude, but the important thing is that it works.