Cold temp.... transmission woes.... anyone else here??

[Playfirst]

Ever since we had cold weather in NY - past couple of weeks... my 91 accord dosent want the shift to 4th gear, sometimes skips 1st gear... the S light stays on then intermittent..... after 10 mins of driving its all great.... when its 50 degrees outside.... no problems what so ever..........
what do you think it is guys??? I put in a refurbished TCU few weeks ago....

[deevergote]

If the S light is on, that means it's telling you there's an error. I believe the service connector under the passenger side of the dash (little blue plug) will cause the D4 light to flash a code if you jump it. Just pull out the blue plug and stick a wire or metal paperclip in the holes ("jump" it, or connect the two holes with the wire or paperclip). Turn the key to the II position, before the engine starts, but when all the dash lights come on. Count the flashes... long ones are 10s, short ones are 1s. Like the ECU, the TCU will tell you of an error this way.

I'm not an expert on automatics, so I can't say my advice is solid... so I'd wait for someone else to back me up.


Also, you might want to change your fluid to some authentic Honda ATF. Frequent fluid changes will keep your auto tranny alive. Neglect will kill it. Honda automatics have a reputation for failing early... but honestly, that's only when the fluid isn't changed when it should be!

[quickangel93]

when did you do your tranny service last? usually you supposed to change tranny fluid ever 15k or every 5 oil changes. let me do some research and get back to you. also mike told you some good info.

[Playfirst]

tranny drain/fill 3k miles ago..... fluid is clean. could it be the shift selenoids?

[JohnD1079]

Also, you might want to change your fluid to some authentic Honda ATF. Frequent fluid changes will keep your auto tranny alive. Neglect will kill it. Honda automatics have a reputation for failing early... but honestly, that's only when the fluid isn't changed when it should be!

You call 16-17 yrs early? ohh man, you must have high expectations, LOL.

sorry, i dont know anything about autos.

[9tAkord]

You can try changing ur tranny oil. If it is still triggering your "S" light try reading the code. Most likely its ur TCU again. I've through this whole deal about TCU's last summer and learned that you have to replace the TCU with the same year and most specifically the same part no. that is on the broken TCU that you are replacing. You should have warranty from the place you bought it from if you have just got it recently. Hope you'll fix the problem

[Gotz Cb7]

Yea, my S light started comin' on after my car overheated about 3 weeks ago. I also lost overdrive, but this morning, I noticed that it was back. The S light comes on whenever it wants to, and it actually comes on, like as if I had pushed the button on. The gears stick longer, just like it is when I have the S button on. But my S button's been disconnected for about a month and a half now. I don't think it's going up, but I could also be wrong. 222,000 with the same tranny. Might be it's time. I need motivation to swop a 5 speed in it anyway. =D!

[Playfirst]

You can try changing ur tranny oil. If it is still triggering your "S" light try reading the code. Most likely its ur TCU again. I've through this whole deal about TCU's last summer and learned that you have to replace the TCU with the same year and most specifically the same part no. that is on the broken TCU that you are replacing. You should have warranty from the place you bought it from if you have just got it recently. Hope you'll fix the problem

The TCU was changed w/exact part#..... yes i have warranty,... will try pull codes ASAP...

[PUMASTi]

I think in order for the tcu to give you the codes the shifter has to be in d4 when you pull them.