OK, I am starting to think I have the Honda from Hell.

This is the same Honda that had the blow oil seal that leaked so profuesly I wasn't able to drive the car when I bought it.

My transmission question:

What causes the dashboard gear indicator to show the "Park" and "Drive" indicator lights to turn on at the same time? At another time it showed the "Reverse" and "Drive". I reset the computer (pulled battery lead for 3 minutes) and had the same problem show up.
Is this a faulty computer or is it the transmission ?

Does anybody have a clue ?

Thanks.

HJ

 

the only thing in the transmission that is associated with the gauges is the psp- park safety neutral switch which allows the engine to start only when the lever is in park or neutral... you would have to pull the gauges to test it with a micro meter to find out what is wrong...

 

Thank you for your input.
I am going to pull the transmission computer and inspect the input lines from the shifter . According to the service manual there are blocking diodes on those inputs. I suspect they are there to protect the computer from REVERSE polarity incidents like someone connecting a battery the wrong way.

This is just a guess on my part, but I figure that since I will be pulling the computer TCU anyway, I'll just go ahead and check the inputs...

It will take me a few days to get back to the car, but I'll get it done.

HJ

 

Sorry I am wrong there seems to be also a reverse switch on the tranny as well. That may control the reverse lights and the R on the gauge... sorry dude my mistake. that might be shorted as welll ...

 

yeah those are called diodes which only let current flow through one direction... That is right on point...!!! If we are thinking of the same thing...

 

Well, happy to say, I found my little problem while inspecting my TCU for problems.
Upon opening the TCU case, I found a burned - read that as SMOKED R41 on the PC board. OK, I'm not a rocket scientist so I began checking other components for damage. I have done some PC board repairs before (about 25 years worth) ... I found a blown electrolytic capacitor on the board.
Honda USES CHEAP CAPS !

I replaced ALL the capacitors and the smoked R41 (15 ohms).
Life is good, the transmission is doing fine.
The shift lights are behaving again and only come on, one ata time.

Here is an article I found that talks about the transmission:
http://techauto.awardspace.com/transmission.html

GOOD STUFF !

HJ

 

Sometimes being a little cocky is entertaining. Other times, not so much...

I had a second transmission module that I promptly tore into for inspection.
Sure enough, the same resistors and capacitors look damaged.
I promptly replaced them, and plugged it into the car.


OOPS. same symptom. D4 and Park light remained lit.

Bottom line: Resistor and capacitor replacement are not going to repair all of the TCU failure issues.

It seems that the failure of R41 and R42 should be an INDICATOR of other potential problems on the computer.
I just got lucky with my first unit.

So if you go to a junk yard to buy a TCM / TCU I would strongly recommend that you open the case and inspect it for any burned resistors or apparent heat damage before you purchase it.

HJ