Failing transmission questions

9 years ago

I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey, 167,000 miles. I've always had it serviced every 6 months by a dealership service department, which I feel is extremely reputable.

Several months ago I took it in for service. They test drove it (hard) and told me my transmission was failing. They recommended not sinking any more money into it, but to just drive it 'til it dies.
It is starting to rust a little, and my wheels are bent so they can't be rotated anymore. I don't have a garage and live out in the country....where the mice/squirrels like to chew on my wiring.
My "check engine" light has been on for years (they said to ignore it, since it was probably not a bad problem....but this time it showed a transmission problem).

What they said made sense. But.....I've only been driving it a small amount, and I always drive it gently. I let it change gears very easily. I don't have any big jerks with gear change and no engine revving, etc.

They said the transmission was leaking fluid, but I never see any in my drive.

It's almost time to take it in for an oil change, and I'll have to decide how much money to sink into it if there's any other potentially dangerous problems that need fixing.

I was going to look for another car this fall, but this car seems to be holding it's own (with a little sweet-talking from me).

I asked them if I could try the fluids that sometimes help the transmission and they said no. And Honda doesn't deal with rebuilt transmissions.

Anyhow..........getting to the point (finally!)......is there anything else I might do in order to prolong the failing transmission? Can I check the fluid level myself and keep it at the right level?
I don't usually drive in traffic and only use it for shorter distances maybe 2-3 times a week.

Will it go from okay to dead one of these days, while I'm out shopping?? Or will I have more warning than that?

I appreciate any ideas you might have for me.
Thanks!

Comments (8)

stoveguyy
9 years ago
A trans code may point to a failing part inside trans. No additive will fix or repair a broken part. Have you ever had the trans fluid changed? It is a good idea at regular intervals. 50k miles, 100k. The odyssey van is popular. I see them for sale in the 1500 range with bum trans. A rebuilt trans is $2k at least. You should at least find out what the trans code is so you can decide next move.
catherinet
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks cavell.
Related Discussions
Troy-bilt tiller 'garden way' transmission question
Q
Comments (44)
We inherited a Troy-Bilt tiller with Gardenway TH 1018 on the tiller and a B&S engine # 171437, prob 1992 built. Engine runs great, tines move forward & back, but not fast enough to do more than make a scratch on the ground. Looks like a place for 2 belts, but only one there. Need 2nd belt? Also, don't see any levers for the tine and wheel speeds to be run separately. Only tillers I'm familiar with are the front tine models where you have to pull back really hard to make it dig in. Shouldn't the tires and weight of the machine do that work for me? Any help would be appreciated. Have a friend that "dabbles" in mechanics, but we need a manual or something. -- THANKS!
...See More
transmission questions
Q
Comments (5)
Belt broke !!! That might indicate an internal problem in the trans. Can you reach your hand up to the transmission input pulley and fan? If you can get your hand on the input pulley/fan, see if you can turn the pulley. If you can't turn the pulley by hand, you definitely have an internal issue. The fact that the "free wheeling" trans bypass lever is not permitting you to roll the tractor is a further hint that an internal part failure has occurred, maybe even more than the input pulley test. Post back with the complete technical model number from under the seat of the tractor. This number typically is a 9 digit # beginning with "917.". That number will permit us to view the online operator's manual. One more thing, you gotta make sure the park brake is not set when you are trying to roll the tractor after moving the free wheel lever. There have been some mentions of "brake shaft failure" in some hydrostat trannies and some of those failures would result in all the symptoms you have described.
...See More
Yardman transmission question...slowww!
Q
Comments (10)
tomplum, I appreciate your reply. To my knowledge the belts are not the issue......new OEM were used. The other variables open up a new can of worms.I do not think the belts are getting hot but the mower has gotten progressively slower the last four or five times I have used it to the point it is futile to even attempt to use it. It could very well be a tension spring not functioning correctly. The brake does not stick. From your post I would be prone to believe it is a worn drive pulley.........I feel like taking a fire-ax to it and put it out of it's misery but it runs too well [ when it runs well ] Thanks Much !
...See More
Deere transmission question
Q
Comments (4)
While the X3xx and X5xx share the same frame the X3xx is a lawn tractor while the X5xx is a garden tractor. To answer your specific question, the X500 has a Tuff-Torq K72 transaxle which has a diff lock and you can change the oil where the K4x is not serviceable so you can't. Here is a transaxle comparison for you... Bear in mind that JD sells many thousands of the X3xx series and has for years and provides a long warranty on them. Those few who post about transmission problems are a very small percentage of X3xx owners and when pressed often admit that they are using their lawn tractors to go a garden tractor's job so it's no big surprise that they had transmission problems. So the question you need to answer is... how much property do you have, what is the terrian like, and what do you want your new toy to do?
...See More
bob_k
9 years ago
Honda has had problems with their transmission for quite a while. You can check the link below.

http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-archive/2010/03/honda-odyssey-owners-report-transmission-troubles-inconsistent-response-from-maker.html
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
when my trucks auto trans died... i limped home ...

first i could only do about 40 mph ... which mean the gear above failed ... actually its called a clutch ...

then somewhere along the 20 mile trip ... i could not get past 20 mph .... clutch number two failed ...

and then i was just left with first gear ... and i limped into my trans guru ... and he told me.. $3500 to rebuild it ... and he would guarantee it to the curb.. lol ...

or about 5 grand to replace it ...

i know this isnt mechanic level lingo ... but i just wanted you to know.. i limped home ...

i do not know if that is common ....

most likely.. its time for something new ... if you were already planning on fall ... i think you would be best off.. moving that forward.. rather than spending a grand to make it to fall ... or .. trying to do such.. on a hope and a prayer ...

the swiss cheese body work ... on my truck.. was the deciding factor .. on not having the trans rebuilt .... i told the guy.. it wasnt worth putting 3 grand into a truck with a 1500 value ...

hope my story helps clarify it for you ... i am sure the mechanics eyes are rolling... lol.. but i wasnt talking to them.. within their specialty ....

ken

ps: if you have a local trans guru ... you might ask for his opinion ... on some base level... i NEVER trust a dealer ... he wants to sell you a new or used car ... if you were doing much anything else.. we would suggest 3 estimates ... why not at least one more here?????
sushipup1
9 years ago
You really need a good independent mechanic. Not a transmission chain shop, either. The dealership is in business to sell things, cars and service. They are not on your side, nor are they your friends.

You will get better service without the "upsell". Cheaper, too.

Try CarTalk's mechanic files for recommendations.

Here is a link that might be useful: Car Talk, Mechanic files
catherinet
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone.
stoveguyy
9 years ago
my folks have had 3 different minivans and all 3 needed new trans. they have a 03 odyssey now. i hope it works out. they are at 140k which is average.
catherinet
Original Author
9 years ago
Were all those vans Odysseys?

Failing transmission questions

Comments (8)

stoveguyy

catherinet
Original Author

Related Discussions

bob_k

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

sushipup1

catherinet
Original Author

stoveguyy

catherinet
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Failing transmission questions

Comments (8)

stoveguyy

catherinetOriginal Author

Related Discussions

bob_k

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

sushipup1

catherinetOriginal Author

stoveguyy

catherinetOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

catherinet
Original Author

catherinet
Original Author

catherinet
Original Author