Transmission issue I have a 1990 accord 4cylinder with an automatic transmission. It shifts in all gears, but it is very jerky and sometimes it has a delay when shifting into 2nd and 3rd. On the highway its ok, but on the streets it seems to like to slip back down from 3rd into 2nd or even 1st. I would like any help with this problem or to know if it is even a problem to begin with. I am new to hondas and not really sure what the normal operations are. I am hoping that it doesn't need to be rebuilt or replaced. I also have some other issues with the car that may explain it or add to the symptoms. First, the spark plug holes have some oil in them...I already ordered a new valve cover gasket and seals. Second, my driver side axle boot is shredded, again I ordered a new one. Third, the front torque mount is ripped, ordered a new one. Fourth, I have no heat...not sure of what the problem is because I have perfect a/c, the tep gauge works and never overheats....maybe the thermostat, heater valve or heater core. I have ordered most of those parts needed, but until they come in I am driving the car with those issues and I'm not sure if they would add to the shifting issues. Anyone with any knowlegde, please let me know.

The flashing s light means a transmission problem. The transmission computer is under the carpet on passenger side under where you put your feet. Pull down the carpet to see the diagnostic light. Turn on the key to count the flashes to get the code. Pulll a list of codes from the internet.
If your trans shifts properly if you manually shift it thru the gears, going from D1, D2 D3 but feels like it is starting in second when in drive at a stop, the computer is probably the issue, and can be repaired or exchanged for a good computer, lots of companies do this ,find 1 on the internet.

It can be issue with gears or problem with transmission and needs to be rebuilt. Also get the ****** fluid checked. If it's low, then such problems occurs.

To troubleshoot these types of issues, check the actual solved problems with these types of issues.

There are solved help links provided below: -------

Click the link below and go through the details and diagrams to troubleshoot the problem: -----
2003 Lexus RX300: Transmission Fluid Burnt Brown and not Shift to reverse?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2003-lexus-rx300-transmission-fluid.html

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2007 Chrysler 300: Transmission Stuck in Park?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-chrysler-300-transmission-stuck-in.html

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2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html

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1996 Toyota Corolla: Transmission Shift Interlock will not Release?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/1996-toyota-corolla-transmission-shift.html

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Lexus LS400: Transmission or Torque Converter?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/lexus-ls400-transmission-or-torque.html

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CV AXLE stuck in Transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/cv-axle-stuck-in-transmission.html

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Transmission in reverse, acts like it's in neutral? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/transmission-in-reverse-acts-like-its.html

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Delayed shift and harsh Shifting?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/delayed-shift-and-harsh-shifting.html

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Dodge neon wont go in reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-wont-go-in-reverse.html

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Dodge Automatic transmission will not go into reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-automatic-transmission-will-not.html

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Dodge manual transmission will not go in reverse gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-manual-transmission-will-not-go.html

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Transmission is making buzzing noise?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-is-making-buzzing-noise.html

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1998 Dodge Ram: Not Shift To Reverse? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-dodge-ram-not-shift-to-reverse.html

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Transmission leak on Toyota?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-leak-on-toyota.html

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Automatic transmission, with no reverse?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/automatic-transmission-with-no-reverse.html

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No Movement When Transmission is Shifted to Drive or Third?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/no-movement-when-transmission-is.html

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While going in reverse mode Fuse number 27 blows on Ford Ranger?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/while-going-in-reverse-mode-fuse-number.html

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These will help.

Thanks.

The shifter needs to be inspected. If The shifter assembly is got misaligned, it has to be open and realign.

There are many other possibilities.

Also i suggest you to refer these gear shift issues, which are mostly noticed. These are direct links with appropriate solutions to the specific problems of gear ****.

GEAR SHIFT ISSUES

Gear indicator Shows "3" Instead Of "D"? http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/gear-indicator-shows-3-instead-of-d.html --------- 2006 Chrysler 300c: Shifter Stuck in Park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-chrysler-300c-shifter-stuck-in.html ---------- 1998 Ford Expedition: Will not Shift Out of Park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-ford-expedition-will-not-shift-out.html --------- Car will not move when in gear? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ----------- Mercedes-Benz transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ---------- Mercedes Benz not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ---------- Chrysler PT Cruiser only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html

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Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html
------- 2007 Ford Expedition: How to shift car in neutral with Dead Battery http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/11/2007-ford-expedition-how-to-shift-car.html -------- 2002 Nissan sentra will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html -------- Nissan Sentra stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html --------- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html
----------- Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html

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Car won't downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
-------- Buick Park Avenue: Transmission will Not shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
------------ No First gear Starts In Second Gear http://www.howtobyme.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-first-gear-starts-in-second-gear.html ------- Ford Taurus won't shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html --------- 2006 Ford F150: Will Not Shift out Of Park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006-ford-f150-will-not-shift-out-of.html -------- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
---------- 1998 Chrysler Voyager: Transmission Problem? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1998-chrysler-voyager-transmission.html ------ Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
-------- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
-------- Chevrolet silverado has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
---------- 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71: Gear shift Issue? http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-chevrolet-avalanche-z71-gear-shift.html ---------- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
-------- Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--------- Transmission-Hard To Down Shift http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/transmission-hard-to-down-shift.html --------- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------------ 2000 Nissan maxima shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html

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Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

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2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: Will not Shift out of Park Mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2007-hyundai-santa-fe-will-not-shift.html

These details will help.

Thanks.

For Automatic transmission problem,click the link below:----Overdrive light in the dash blinks? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/overdrive-light-in-dash-blinks.html
--------- Automatic transmission troubleshooting:----

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html

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Automatic transmission shift lever issues?-------

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL? --

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-check-automatic-transmission.html

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-change-automatic-transmission.html

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Transmission fault light on car dash?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/transmission-fault-light-on-car-dash.html

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Transmission shifting problem?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/transmission-shifting-problem-on-toyota.html

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Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

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OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

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Why Transmission fluid leaks near radiator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

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Transmission fluid leaking?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

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****** wont go in reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-wont-go-in-reverse.html

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Automatic transmission will not go into reverse?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-automatic-transmission-will-not.html

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Transmission is making buzzing noise?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-is-making-buzzing-noise.html

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This will help.

Thanks.

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html

----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html

---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

No, it is a midsize sedan. The automatic transmission gained a sport-shift mode, where gear selection could be manually chosen.

i had the same thing...It's the transmission. It's REALLY noticeable shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. I was able to get my transmission fixed for 900 bux. That wasn't even a replacement so i can imagine how much it would cost to get it replaced. The shifting will get worse. By the end of my "experience" it wouldn't shift from 1st to 2nd for about 5 minutes until i drove it around for a bit. THen it would "warm up" to the idea of shifting to 2nd gear.

On my 1990 Accord Lx I have the same problem.  My floor pan has a hole in it some where and my carpet gets wet which gets my computer wet causeing the "S" light to flash and then when my tranny shifts it skips 2nd gear.

that delayed reaction may be the transmission slipping. with those many miles it could be the transmission going bad

Jerky shifts with an automatic transmission is normally cause by the valvebody in your transmission sticking. You could try to change the transmission fluid and filter but I seriously doubt this will solve your problem. Please rate my answer.

You indicated that the transmission starts jerking after a long drive.

With the mileage on your vehicle, and the possible sandy conditions that it is driven in, your automatic transmission fluid may be fouled, also causing the jerky shifting with extended operation.

A thorough cleaning of the transmission case interior and inspection of your gears are in order. You could prevent this similar situation after repairs by replacing your ATF more often that required by your service manual.

Hope this helps.