Car Help - 2000 Accord

"Enginerrrrrrrrr" (Enginerrrrrrrrr) 01/28/2015 at 12:00 • Filed to: None

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Alright folks. This past weekend my car warned me of its supposed imminent death. Got in the car to do some errands and the check engine light came on with the D4 flashing on the dash (it's an autobox). This didn't seem good, so I jumped on the highway to see if there was something odd with the gears. Wouldn't shift into 4th...at all. Also was shifting a little harder than normal in the lower gears.

Got to where I was going, came back to my car and started her up. Check engine light is on but D4 is no longer flashing. Got it up to speed and it was able to shift into 4th no problem. That was some good news. Took it to autozone and their cheapo code reader stated it was just a shifting problem...thanks Mr. Code Reader, I could have guessed that.

Skip to this morning and I took it into the dealer for an oil change (because it's the same price as jiffy lube or grease monkey or whatever) and asked them to check the code.

The code is P0780. Basically the code that says your transmission will die soon. I know a ton of Hondas from around this year had transmission issues and now mine is coming due. I don't know where to go from here. I certainly don't have the cash for a new transmission (I'm getting my Masters and the lady friend is a teacher...we don't have much money to spare...) but I need to know how to get the most out of my transmission before it grenades itself.

After searching around a bit I saw that it could be fixed with new solenoids and a transmission flush so I think I will start with that. Basically I'm coming to Oppo because I know there is someone on here who probably has experience with this shit... any tips are welcome.

Here's a car for your time:

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/28/2015 at 12:10

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Unethical, buuuuuttttt....unload it. Quick.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/28/2015 at 12:12

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I know it seems messed up but I agree with Sidewaysondirt. Try and sell fast and let it be the next guys problem. Once it goes wrong, you won't have any shot getting rid of it.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/28/2015 at 12:14

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I'm with sideways, though I think you should advertise it as needing a transmission. You should be able to get close to two grand, depending on mileage, and pick up a beat up Civic with a manual or something of that ilk to get you through school.

egomaster > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/28/2015 at 12:14

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My wife's accord had the same issue. Found out it was the transmission control board and was fixed for $25 by replacing the two bad capacitors.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/28/2015 at 12:16

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Whatever you do, don't flush the transmission. I can't tell you the amount of times that I've known people who do that and then need a new one just a short time later. Don't change transmission fluid unless you absolutely have to.

As the others have mentioned, get rid of it. webuyanycar.com I hate those damn commercials. But maybe they can help.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/28/2015 at 12:17

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I mean, if it were me (I am decently handy) I would drop the pan and do a budget filter and fluid swap and then see if it goes away. If it doesn't...SELL, SELL, SELL.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > egomaster 01/28/2015 at 12:28

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Nice. Hopefully it will end up being the same issue, but I always view autos as time bombs.

OPPOsaurus WRX > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/28/2015 at 12:35

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had to replace my engine, finished that and could feel the trans going. goodbye!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 01/28/2015 at 12:43

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It should be noted that there's a difference between flushing the fluid and changing it. Dumping the old fluid and putting new fluid in is a good idea, even on an old transmission. On an old transmission, you should do this several times. The problem is when garages spray their pressurized flushing shit in. That's when shards of metal get loose and start eating the transmission.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/28/2015 at 12:50

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Good point, you are correct. Don't have a shop flush it.

GT Stig > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/28/2015 at 13:07

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Doing a fluid change is good but I think its a small bandaid on a very large wound. Those transmissions are so bad honda had to extend the warranty on them after getting so many complaints. I had a 2000 V6 that I had to replace the trans on and the harsh shifts youre starting to have will only get worse. You could try looking around for reman trans' which is the route I took. Its still pricey though, i think i got mine installed for $750 out the door from a place that parted out honda's.

brianbrannon > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/28/2015 at 18:17

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Worth your time to pull the solenoids and clean the filters in the metal tubes that are under them. Also change all the fluid not just a drain and fill. Your year ECM doesn't have the capacitor issues.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > GT Stig 01/28/2015 at 18:48

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Yeah I know this is just the first step...which is sad as I didn't mind driving this thing to 500k miles. That's obviously not going to happen so I just need it to last through May until some money decides to move my way...

I'll take your advice and start looking for another transmission though. Heck I know some guys that could help me do the complete install as well.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > brianbrannon 01/28/2015 at 18:48

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Awesome, thanks for the tip. Will definitely follow that.