1992 Honda Accord

The 1992 Honda is right on the edge of the computer revolution in cars. It is old enough to feature mostly mechanical systems and new enough to have a bit of computerization under the hood. So, while the OBD-II diagnostic scanner and dashboard trouble light flash codes, the computer code that is contained in the transmission control module — the computer that controls things in the tranny — is pretty basic. It will show you general areas where things might be breaking or broken, but that’s about it. In contrast, today’s computer code is pretty strong and getting stronger. With every software upgrade now, it becomes easier to diagnose a problem simply because the number of specific codes pointing to trouble-spots has increased dramatically in just the last few years.

In your ’92, you still have a number of mechanically controlled systems. For example, the torque converter and impeller are totally mechanical. This means that if something goes bad your technician, unless you feel competent to do the work, will be doing much more mechanical and far less electronic work than he may be accustomed to.

However, it could be that an early conversion to electronics — shifting — may be at fault here. It sounds as if the gearshift selection solenoids are failing or have failed. There are usually two of them, one on the inside of the valve body and the other on the exterior. The solenoids work together to put your car into gear and keep it there. For example, when your Accord is in first, Solenoid 1 may be on, while Solenoid 2 is off. In second, it might be the reverse, while third may feature both Solenoids on and fourth may be both off. Since Reverse is a direct connect gearing, they Solenoids are shunted to the sides (you didn’t mention whether it shifts into reverse when it begins to run weirdly).

If the solenoids are gone or going, it is a relatively straightforward fix, though, your tech will have to go inside the valve body to access one of the devices. With that said, you are looking at about a $600 bill to replace them both.

It is possible, though, that the clutches and bands may be failing which will cause your Accord to operate as you describe. If that is the case, then your tech will have to tear down the transmission to get to the parts that need to be replaced. And, honestly, by the time the tech gets there it is better just to replace the transmission with a rebuilt. If you do replace it, you are looking at a bill of about $4,000 or so.