Hi,

My 2011 just started shifting hard into 2nd gear. I’ve been searching on this and I’ve read cleaning the shift solenoids under the air box can help clear it up. It has 125,000 miles. I bought it a few months ago and the tranny fluid was black, i’ve since changed 4quarts with Valvoline multi vehicle synthetic and a few weeks later 4 more quarts. It is now somewhere between red and black. Today is the first very hot day we’ve had in northern MI, wonder if this contributed in someway, as yesterday it was shifting fine. Anyone have success cleaning the solenoids?

Thanks
Jason

 

I cleaned the 4 screens in the dual solenoid block on the front of the tranny but they were clean to begin with. There is a single solenoid under the intake tube but I left it alone. I drove it a bit afterwards and there didn’t seem to be any change and still had a lazy shift into 2nd while most of the time shifting fine. I’m going to call around tomorrow to have the tranny filter changed.

Any input appreciated

 

Does the gen have an external filter,I can't seem to determine this. I looked around for one and did not see anything that looks like the canister filter I've seen online but mostly in 1st gen forums.

Thinking about just doing another fluid change but I don't want to make it worse,I've been using valvoline multi vehicle synthetic.

 

I did another drain fill and tried lubegard which didn't help Thinking about replacing pressure switches, but the car is showing no codes.

 

I changed the ATF filter (which was one of the harder jobs I’ve done, and I’ve rebuilt newer Saab’s) and this seems to be clearing up the hard shifting. The filter was not plugged as much as I thought it would be. If I do this again I’d consider either removing the filter with a single hose or relocating the filter, it is difficult to get to any of the clamps.

I found the filter looking at oem part diagrams. Neither autozone or advance list a filter for it, and the fact there is no YouTube video of anyone changing a filter on a 2nd gen lead me to think there wasn’t an external filter. The nearest dealership is 150miles away so I didn’t consult a dealer.

 

Attached iis symptom/cause chart. Lots of possibles.

good luck

 

Thanks , for your reply.
It shifted perfect for a few days after changing the filter, maybe coincidence. I have since changed the 2nd gear pressure sensor, I'm fairly certain a shift solenoid is bad, I'm taking it to a shop to diagnose. Interesting the top item is a bad motor mount.

 

Did you ever get rid of the 2nd gear issue? Did you try and reboot the transmission computer?

 

did u use the honda transmission atf?

 

I ended up getting a used transmission installed for around $1800. I probably talked to 10 or more shops before I got a reasonable quote and from a place that seemed confident to even do it. Luckily it turned out well.