If you own a 1998 – 2002 Honda Accord and experience slipping or flared gear changes on the upshift, then you’re not alone. Transmission slipping is one of the most common complaints about the BAXA and B7XA Honda Accord transmission. Although this was considered a relatively high-tech gearbox when it was introduced, time and mileage can certainly take its toll.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Honda Accord slipping transmission
As was previously stated, when up shifting from a lower gear, the Honda BAXA / B7XA transmission may exhibit a shift flare or slip up and down between gears. This can happen when the transmission is cold or at temperature. It may also happen even after the transmission has been rebuilt.
The reason for these Honda Accord transmission problems
The reason your Honda transmission may be slipping could be the loss of clutch apply pressure in the Clutch Pressure Control valves inside of the accumulator valve body. This could stem from a number of things like a failed clutch pressure control solenoid, a bad clutch pressure switch, a faulty clutch pressure control valve or damage to the bore that the CPC valve sits in.
What basically happens is, the CPC valves regulate the flow of transmission fluid during each shift. The CPC valves themselves work using pressure from the clutch pressure control solenoids, which are controlled by the ECM (the computer also relies on input from the clutch pressure switches).
Failure of any one of the above components can lead to BAXA / B7XA transmission slipping. However a more common cause happens when the valves themselves stick inside the bore when the transmission is cold. The bore plugs that hold the CPC valve in place may also become loose. In either case, there will be damage to the bore and a loss of the hydraulic pressure, leading to the slipping or flared shifts.
Transmission slipping fix
To solve your Honda Accord transmission slipping problem, the most common solution is to have the transmission rebuilt. However the above scenario often happens even after owners install a rebuilt Honda Accord transmission. The reason being, most repair shops don’t have the expertise or equipment to thoroughly inspect each bore inside of the accumulator valve body. This oversight can lead to major problems down the road due to hydraulic pressure loss.
Things to consider with a transmission rebuild
You’re the test driver – Most transmission repair shops and mechanics will only put a few miles on your vehicle to make sure the transmission works. But it’s not uncommon to experience transmission problems during the break-in period.
Everything might not be fixed – Most mechanics and transmission repair centers don’t have the equipment necessary to perform a thorough inspection on hard parts like gear sets, clutch drums and valve bodies. This means that your rebuilt transmission could actually have small cracks in key parts that aren’t visible to the naked eye. As time and mileage progress, these cracks can grow and create an even larger problem. Similarly, a slight warp in the valve body can seriously impact shifting performance over time.
Warranty – Although most mechanic shops and transmission repair shops will warranty their work. That coverage is usually only good at the shop or franchise that did the work. If you travel out of town and suddenly experience transmission problems, you’ll be on the hook for any transmission repairs unless you pay to have your vehicle towed back to the shop that did the work.
Quality – Nearly every time you get a transmission rebuild, all of the work is performed by a single technician. This may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. But the end result is dependent on that technician’s level of experience working with your specific type of transmission. In addition, there is usually no standardized quality control checks at a mechanic shop. So an improperly torqued bolt or gasket that isn’t fully seated, might be overlooked and cause you major problems in the future.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Is a transmission rebuild worth it?
If you plan to keep your vehicle for as long as possible, then getting a transmission rebuild is certainly a viable option. However, a remanufactured transmission is a much better alternative. You’re getting as close to a brand-new transmission as it is possible. Companies like Street Smart Transmission also modify the transmission to correct all of the factory design flaws, allowing you to get a much longer service life from the transmission. You also get a 3-year/unlimited mile nationwide warranty, which allows you to get necessary repairs performed at any licensed repair shop of the country. So in terms of value for the money, a reman transmission might be the better way to go.
