johnnmk

Hey guys,

I'm a proud but frustrated owner of a 97 CL 2.2 I just bought off my dad a few months ago .. it currently has 126,000 miles on it. It's in okay condition, but its been treating me very well.. until now .. .

I've always noticed the shifting between gears was a little rough, but nothing some careful gas pedal pressure can't smooth out enough to make me satisfied.

Two weeks ago, as the temps were getting colder around here in the northeast, I started noticing when the car was cold, shifting between first and second and again between second and third was taking longer than usual.. rpms were up higher and instead of the usual (and now comforting) "clunk" into the next higher gear, it was a smooth and slow gear shift... that is, until the car warmed up to normal operating levels.

Now you think this would have worried me and made me make sure to warm up the car properly before driving, right? Wrong. I drove it a third time when the engine was cold.. and when going up a short but steep hill, the check engine light went on and I noticed a substantial loss in power ... almost like a bad clutch on a standard.. yet this is an automatic..

I drove straight home.. let the car warm up fully in the driveway and they drove it around some more.. this seemed to fix the problem. Though the engine light is still on.. haven't yet gotten the codes out of it.

Today I warmed up the car properly and went to work. I noticed the lagging in first gear especially seems to be a persistant problem now, even when car is warmed up. The other gears seem to be working fine though. .. But its definitely making me feel insecure that I can't hit the gas and get proper acceleration at times.

I checked the transmission fluid level.. it was between the lines, though maybe could use a topping off. Do you think this would help? Or replacing the fluid all together? Or do you think I should take it to the transmission place to be examined? They said, worst case scenario, a rebuild of the current transmission would run me about $2500. .. with a 12,000 mile guarantee... with 126,000 miles on it now.. What do you think?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Def sounds like your tranny is going, take it to get looked at. Our auto trannies are notorious for failing. Mine strated to slip in the same conditions, when it was cold. In fact, the tranny shop couldn't notice the slippage until I had them keep the car overnight and cold start it. Sounds like a rebuild is in your future.

98clgirllv

Just remember... Aamco is NOT your friend.

johnnmk

Before I drop the cash for the rebuild, how has the rest of the vehicle held up at higher milage? Can I expect to get another xx,xxx number of miles out of the vehicle without any other pricey or major repairs considering I take care of it from now on? I know, loaded question.. but any insight or personal observations on the 97 CL 2.2 would be greatly appreciated..

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

the 2.2 is a mint car, no major problems but unfortunately you got an auto which is as you already know

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

The motor will survive nuclear winter, the tranny eh won't survive running over an ant at the wrong speeds Honda's are beasts, the motors will outlast the body they're in. The whole body could rust away and the SOB would still start and run

JetBlackAcuraCl

ya man...get that tranny checked out....i had the same problems...TWICE....its very frustrating, i know....but hey...i think i might have a swap coming soon :P you might want to look into a swap 2

732xghost

iTrader: (1)

before everyone tells the guy to get a new tranny or that its hot. definitly get it checked out. obviously we dont have enough info here to determine the problem. it could be something as simple as a new transmission mount.

SupraManAG

I have a H22 auto tranny with your name on it.

732xghost

iTrader: (1)

yea that would definitly work.

u said u were from the northeast, where u at.

AznX TL

maybe egr valve?

johnnmk

He thinks the transmission is shot.. couldn't get it to move in first gear this morning.. he said third gear wasn't working right last night. Saying minimum $2500 to rebuild the current transmission. Any suggestions? I would consider buying a used transmission if it would save me a lot of money.. anyone want to buy the Acura from me in its current condition? Make me an offer.

johnnmk

I'm getting prices around $850 for a replacement transmission with 87,000 miles on it. Worth it?

732xghost

iTrader: (1)

thats alot man.

johnnmk

Someone just told me these symptoms could just be a transmission in need of a flush and filter. What do you think?

732xghost

iTrader: (1)

well at this point whats the worst that could happen if u flush it. but its recommened that high mileage transmissions that have never been flushed before, should continue not to get flushed.

SwervinCL

Say goodbye to your tranny....

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Rebuild for the win

Dicorp

5 speed swap ftw

USURPER

Dude your transmission is TOAST. Here's what happened to me: I had the same symptoms as you did. Eventually the tranny just gave away and the engine revved up to the moon. I just took it out of D4, dropped it into first gear and limped it home.

Man I wouldn't even let the person that's offering that flim flam $850 deal touch my car. It costs $750 just to replace the power seat motor on the drivers side. I shopped around for WEEKS before I got my tranny replaced. The prices ranged from $1200 to $2500. Even when I chose the tranny guy that offered $1200 I researched around the city to see what his past customers had to say. Everyone I ran into said they were extremely satisfied with his work. He dropped my tranny in, in two days flat and it was running even better than when I first bought that car!

732xghost

iTrader: (1)

^^^
$850 was the offer for a used tranmission, not a rebuilt one.

AznX TL

/win