Honda 6th gen A/T fluid experiments.

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I've also read that Z1 shears pretty quickly in these transmissions but it seems that every UOA I've run across in these transmissions using aftermarket synthetic ATF has lower iron counts, but also significantly higher cu and al counts. I could be wrong on this - just an observation I don't understand.

Although it's a completely different transmission, there was a guy over in the Prius Chat forums that also documented higher cu readings with Amsoil in the CVT and it was trending up before he changed it back to WS.

For me, the higher cu counts on these aftermarket fluids in THIS application is troubling and I'll stick with the OEM stuff till I find out different. Now on my 2005 GMC Sierra I'll probably go the Amsoil route in the drive train.
 
Just to update everyone on the sensor replacement. changed out both pressure sensors in the TL last might. Took it for a drive and no change thus far. Looks like I will be looking into a different fluid hear. Probably a new trans as it is bump shifting in from 2nd to 3rd!
mad.gif
Why I drive Toyotas!
 
AzFireGuy79:

Those were the third and fourth gear sensors you changed out?

Was it a fairly straightforward process?
 
Yes. It was actually quite easy. Jacked the car up and removed the splash guard. The sensors are 22mm. The old ones have crush washers that are reusable. I did not know this, but both sensors are the same part # for both 3rd and 4th.

The 3rd gear sensor on this car is under the throttle body on the top of the transmission and it points towards the engine. The 4th gear sensor is down below on the front side of the trans and you have to get at it from under the car. Took about 20min to do. Only lost a few drips of ATF.

Drove the car around the block and it still shifts a bit strange in 3rd. We will see how it does today.
 
Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
Just to update everyone on the sensor replacement. changed out both pressure sensors in the TL last might. Took it for a drive and no change thus far. Looks like I will be looking into a different fluid hear. Probably a new trans as it is bump shifting in from 2nd to 3rd!
mad.gif
Why I drive Toyotas!


I guess you should try Redline D4 since you have been using it in the yota's and has worked well. This will be interesting. Know a few people with honda and whining transmissions, all swear that replenishing with fresh Z1 fluid made the transmission smoother and no whine.

I personally am sold on Royal Purple gear fluids. My TL with less than 2000 miles has the RP ATF for 500 miles and it shifts great!
 
Actually tried Z-1 tonight and didnt do a thing for my 2nd-3rd shift issue. All other gears are very smooth. Man I dont get this thing! Must be headed south on me. I have done all I can do for it and am tired of messing with it. The strange thing is that this is a Honda white box trans that only has 60k on it and was pampered by my mother!

If I remember the Z-1 was changed like three times and it was flushed with D4 at one time after the third gear issue arose. None of the fluids changed this issue of a bump shift going from 2nd to third. Add to this that I am by no means a Honda trans guy. I work on GMs and toyotas. These Honda transmissions are about the worst design ever. Makes me angry just talking about this.

I figured the sensors might be the culprit, of course not! Not sure if the solenoids can go on these without a code. Last resort although there is no way in [censored] I am throwing any more money into this POS!
 
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Describe a "bump shift," please.

My '05 V6 wants to linger in second to third, then third to fourth. It will shift eventually, but the shift points for those two gears are not correct.
 
I will be driving from say a stop sign and the 1st to second change is nice and linear, very smooth as it should be. From 2nd to 3rd the tachometer will go to above 3K RPM and Bump up above that and then drop back as it engages into third. Its as if I bumped the shift lever into neutral for a split second. Honestly is could just be slipping only in that gear. Then from 3rd to 4th everything is normal.

A honda tech friend of mine was telling me that it could be a burnt clutch pack??? As I have stated, Honda transmissions are totally foreign to me ( no pun intended). I'm use to planetary transmissions and not these half manual/auto nightmares. On the bright side, atleast you have a more favorable year!

Your issue sounds like it may be the pressure sensors from what others have described of past issues. Not 100% but might be worth a try. I will try calling my friend one more time about my issue to pick his brain on these things. I will let you know if he has anymore ideas.
 
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Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
From 2nd to 3rd the tachometer will go to above 3K RPM and Bump up above that and then drop back as it engages into third.


isn't that called "flaring" in auto transmission terminology ?
 
Thanks, AzFireGuy79.

That does sound like transmission "flare" to me.

I'll work on getting the 3rd and 4th gear sensors changed out as soon as I figure out where they are located for certain. They seem to vary according to year and model (Acura vs. Honda, Accord vs. TL vs. Pilot).

And just to clarify, we are talking about sensors and not solenoids, correct?
 
dkryan- Yeah they are pressure sensors. Both share the same part number for my car. Dont see why they would change that for yours but you never know. If they are similar or the same as mine, they are very distinctive in appearance. The solenoids on the other hand have long narrow bodies. Pressure sensors are short with a 22mm hex. They connections are also very different.

There are only two pressure sensors for these transmissions. There are (4) regular solenoids and (2) linear ones on the honda 4 speeds.

Here is my plan. I am going to take off all of the solenoids today and see if the screens are plugged. I have no way of knowing which exact ones control 3rd and 4th seeing as even acura techs don't know, so I will just remove all of them. Report to follow.
 
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Originally Posted By: Jim_Truett
If you guys want to see inside of a Honda V6 4 speed auto, check out my post on acurazine:

http://cl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492261

I run Maxlife Dex/Merc with an external spin-on filter and cooler, and have had no issues in the 12,000 miles since rebuild.


Thanks, Jim.

Is that "rebuild," as in "my wonderfully engineered transmission gave up the ghost and I had to have it overhauled?"

Also, what external filter and cooler are you running?

Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
dkryan- Yeah they are pressure sensors.

There are only two pressure sensors for these transmissions. There are (4) regular solenoids and (2) linear ones on the honda 4 speeds.


I could have sworn there was one sensor for each gear, but maybe I'm wrong. I'll have to go back to the Acurazine link and re-read BuickGN's post.
 
Uh, Jim,

I just checked out your link. I'll trade you my 2005 Accord with only 23k miles on it for that '63 Chevy Nova SS! What a deal, huh?

And you'd only need to put roughly 18 hours into the transmission rebuild. Hurry, call now, operators are standing by!
19.gif
 
Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
I will be driving from say a stop sign and the 1st to second change is nice and linear, very smooth as it should be. From 2nd to 3rd the tachometer will go to above 3K RPM and Bump up above that and then drop back as it engages into third. Its as if I bumped the shift lever into neutral for a split second. Honestly is could just be slipping only in that gear. Then from 3rd to 4th everything is normal.

A honda tech friend of mine was telling me that it could be a burnt clutch pack??? As I have stated, Honda transmissions are totally foreign to me ( no pun intended). I'm use to planetary transmissions and not these half manual/auto nightmares. On the bright side, atleast you have a more favorable year!

Your issue sounds like it may be the pressure sensors from what others have described of past issues. Not 100% but might be worth a try. I will try calling my friend one more time about my issue to pick his brain on these things. I will let you know if he has anymore ideas.


On the Honda 5-speed automatics, 2-3 shift problems are sometimes caused by a failing linear solenoid. It might be worth investigating...
 
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