alphason'sac

Guys, my check engine light came on and I got a code for the transmission clutch. This has happened a few times: The last time it happened, the manual said that I needed some regulator (I forget the real name) replaced. This seemingly cured the problem because the light didn't return for an entire year, but it did come back. I took it to a transmission shop after my mechanic said that he was at a loss to diagnose the problem any further. and the guy cleared the light and told me to bring it back when the light came on. He said that it may be the torque converter from the code it was giving. Sometimes when I drive, the transmission will seemingly slip and the engine will rev and then the transmission catches and it is fine. This happened over the weekend and now the light is on again. I called the transmission specialist and he said that he would do a full diagnostic on the car on Wednesday and he said that he should be able to tell me what the problem is. When he saw the car before he couldn't get the car to do anything when he drove it (45 minutes) and he also said that the fluid looked good, so we will see. Please pray for my baby. What do you guys think may be going on, and has anyone else had anything similar happen? She has served me faithfully and I now have over 200,000 miles on her, so even if it is over for it, I will get another transmission or get mine rebuilt.

TexasHonda

If the code was P0740, this is a general hydraulic problem (numerous possible faults) causing the torque converter clutch to fail to lock-up. When the TCU detects slippage between engine and drive train (normal torque converter slippage) grearter than a pre-set limit?, it sets P0740. I've had the problem for some time now, w/ no other symptoms other than CEL comes on and goes off intermittently, mostly on. Trans shifts fine. I've decded to live /w the problem since a trans replacement is probably $1500 k w/ a used transmission and warranty.

If you've never replaced the hydraulic pump inlet screen, it's worth trying this before more drastic fixes.

I've tried replacing the inlet screen, new trans fluid (Honda ATF), and checking the lockup solenoid function and screen, all to no avail.

good luck

alphason'sac

Thanks Texas Honda. The solenoid is what we replaced as a first step diagnosis. I will have to look in to the Hydraulic pump inlet screen. The car drives just fine 99% of the time, and even when I feel the slippage, the CEL only comes on after that. (averaging one episode every couple of months) I have been trying to get this cleared up/diagnosed for almost two years now. That is how infrequently the transmission has a problem, which leads me to believe that it is not something major. The solenoid fix resulted in a whole year of no slippage at all. However, I have been wrong before. I will see what the guy says on Wednesday and I will be sure to mention the hydraulic pump inlet screen. That could be worth a shot. Thanks again for the wisdom!

desiguy_2005

I have been experiencing similar problems with my 2.5 TL. CEL was on for couple of years now. I had dealer reset it while servicing my car under extended emission warranty, but CEL was on after few days of servicing the vehicle. ODB II codes were P0700 and P0740. Transmission shifting was sluggish, and felt like gears were slipping some times, so I had dealer flush the tranny. Transmission was shifting smoothly for an year or so till recently, while I was driving on an Interstate, taking an exit ramp (outside temperature was 10 F, unusual for this time of year in St Louis) and transmission stopped shifting beyond D2. Considering not safe to drive I had road-side-assistance tow my car to nearest garage. Technician, said my tranny is bad and have to rebuild it (old one for $1693 or rebuild for $2400). Next day I decided to get a second opinion and picked up my car (outside temperature, in mid 40's F) suprised to find my car shifting all 4 gears (almost smoothly). Just wanted to get your opinion guys. Appreciate your remarks....

[1996 2.5 TL
99650 mi]

TexasHonda

P0700 gets set when P0740 is set. I think this is simply saying a transmission fault has occurred. P0740 is a hydraulic problem; too low pressure, hydraulic switching or modulating device not functioning correctly, etc. See my note above about replacing the hydraulic pump inlet screen. This is easy to do and has solved others problems in some cases.

One thing I have not done and may be worth investigating is to have a hydraulics diagnosis where the system pressures are monitored w/ pressure gagues. A good transmission shop should be able to perform this and provide a diagnosis of fault. Note, it may simply tell you that a major component is not functioning and requires replacement (trans overhaul). If problem is intermittent, it will do no good to do this while problem is not present.

good luck

amedovoy

alphason'sac

Can you let me know what came out of your transmission situation? were you able to drive for a while with the p0740? I have my transmission rebuilt about 8 months ago, and now this light is showing up. I am really at a loss of what to do since i just sunk 1800 bucks for a rebuilt and the car only has 73k miles on it. Thanks, Tony

andrew070489

^^ 73k wtf? thats such low mileage for a new trans i got 199k on mine and its still pulling. i have intermittent CEL's also for my trans, but it shifts fine and i service it regularly so i don't worry.. if you thing your trans is gonna go take it back to the shop before any of their warranty expires!! good luck