Get the latest advice about your car

Get Started
Advice » Q&A » 2003 Honda Accord

Q&A

Ask Your Question

2003 Honda Accord

Question: Issues with gears shifting hard into second and third

Question

frustratedhondaowner2, 3.0L V6, Oviedo, FL, January 29, 2009, 08:32
Profile_thumbnail
 Rookie

My 2003 accord revs the rpms to 2500, as if the car is in nuetral and shift hard into 2 and 3 gears. dealer says it is not the trasmission, help.

5 Answers
Answer It
Flag This

  • Answer #1

    hemicuda January 29, 2009, 14:14
    Profile_thumbnail
     Master

    I found this on Repairpal.com Common Problems Page, Maybe consult a different Honda dealer about this TSB Bulletin
    Drive Train: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
    Service Bulletin Number: 3070
    NHTSA Number: 10004788
    Model Years Affected: 2003
    Date of Bulletin: 01/2004

    Bulletin Summary: POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) UPDATE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT.

    Reply
    Flag This

  • Answer #2

    Andy Y January 29, 2009, 14:54
    Profile_thumbnail
     Master

    That bulletin is related to updating the PCM after replacing the transmission. There are some sensors and solenoids that influence how the car shifts, or how it feels during a shift. Do you have any warning lights illuminated?

    Flag This

  • Reply

    frustratedhondaowner2, January 29, 2009, 16:20
    Profile_thumbnail
     Rookie

    Thank you both for your answers. There are no indicator lights, and the dealer checked the transmission and no codes came up. they also said the drove the vehicle after checking the transmission and adding a half quart of transmission fluid. I do not believe them! Could this have anything to do with the torque converter since it seems to happen when I am accelerating? What about the alternator?

    Flag This

  • Reply

    Andy Y, January 29, 2009, 16:38
    Profile_thumbnail
     Master

    Could the dealer replicate the problem? Are you're saying it has resurfaced since getting the car back? Does this only happen after driving a certain amount of miles? Does it happen all the time or only maybe on the first drive in the morning? Is the engine warmed up, cold, does it matter? Have you called the dealer back, or called another dealer?

    I'm afraid I don't know if this is torque converter related. I know many Chrysler vans can experience a shudder between 35-45 mph due to torque converter clutch lock-up problems but I don't know about Honda's. Hopefully someone else can give some input too

    bucking or surging on acceleration can also be ignition related

    Reply
    Flag This

  • Answer #3

    rdude135 January 30, 2009, 05:50
    Profile_thumbnail
     Journeyman

    It's always difficult to diagnose these types of issues without the vehicle present. I have experienced this year and model issue before where the transmission will shift into a lower gear for no reason. It did take some time to duplicate the problem though. When this happened the RPM's went up and the transmission had a harsh shift as you explain. In my case the vehicle needed a transmission replacement. My question to you is if this issue is consistant, or happens only once in a while? If the dealer cannot duplicate the complaint I can see how they would not want to sell you an expensive transmission when they have no proof that there is an issue. My suggestion is to try to pin point when the vehicle acts up and note all the details (RPM, engine temp, outside temp, vehicle speed, throttle position) and if possible duplicate it for the technician. This would be a great help in the diagnosis of the problem. Once the technician can duplicate the problem the vehicle can be diagnosed properly and you can get your vehicle repaired.

    Reply
    Flag This

  • Answer #4

    tipple_1999 February 06, 2009, 15:12
    Profile_thumbnail
     Enthusiast

    My mother has a 2004 accord ex and it did the same thing. They did not believe her until it was soo bad that the trani did that the whole time. They ended up rebuilding her trani. I would take it to another Honda dealership. Good luck

    Reply
    Flag This

  • Answer #5

    Visitor, November 23, 2010, 22:01

    you should check the fluid level and make adjustment. use honda automatic fluid. make sure your valves clearence are within spec. having misadjusted valves cause the car to shift early or late. its a complecated problem to answer now. sorry. but these conditions cause hard shifting. and, NO on the torque conv. causing it to shift hard. its either ON or OFF, TQ convert will cause a car to stall coming to a stop. TQ is used to help the car save gas during a long drive, thats what it is used for on auto tranny.

    Reply
    Flag This
Answer Ranks

This week's top 10

1 globalhelper 6 Autohaus Lake Norman
2 milesauto 7 TimGoodreau
3 csubak30 8 raiderron
4 jose8889 9 Merrimack Auto
5 obdcar 10 Camster