Prelude Vtir 1998, engine light on, D4 blinking, speedometer stays at 0. Need help. - Honda Prelude Forum

akuma69 · 03-08-2010, 06:08 PM

Hey guys. I live in Australia and just yesterday bought a Honda prelude Vtir 1998 model. It is auto transmission. I bought it from a private seller.

Last night I was driving around and everything was fine. Then after a while the speedometer started playing up. It would go to 0 and then back to my current speed, and then sometimes back to zero. This happened for like couple of seconds. I thought i was seeing things. After that it did not happen again. I came back home and just went to sleep.

Today I drove around and notice now the speedometer stays at zero, the D4 keeps blinking, and the CEL (check engine light) stays on.

Could someone tell me whats the problem and how to fix it?

I hope its just a loose electrical connection and not a faulty part.

This is my first car and I do not know much about cars.

Any help appreciated.

akuma69 · 03-08-2010, 06:39 PM

and cruise control does not work anymore. I guess that is because the speedometer doesn't work.

I started up the car just now and D4 light stays on, and the CEL does not turn on. So thats fine. After about 2 mins of driving around, then the D4 starts blinking and the CEL turns on.

lviii · 03-08-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akuma69

and cruise control does not work anymore. I guess that is because the speedometer doesn't work.

I started up the car just now and D4 light stays on, and the CEL does not turn on. So thats fine. After about 2 mins of driving around, then the D4 starts blinking and the CEL turns on.

Bad news, fellow Luder - see below.

(This is an electronic version of the letter that will be mailed to you. Please wait until you receive the actual letter before contacting your dealer.)

BACK TO RECALLS LIST
October 2002

Dear Accord, Odyssey and Prelude Owners:

American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for the automatic transmission on all 2000-01 Accords, Odysseys, and Preludes. The automatic transmission and torque converter are now covered for a total of 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date of original sale. We are providing this warranty extension because a higher than normal number of automatic transmissions in certain vehicles may have problems due to defects in material or workmanship beyond the 3-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty.

How do I know if there is a problem with my vehicle's automatic transmission?
If you think your vehicle has a transmission problem, refer to the operating characteristics below. Understanding these characteristics can help you decide if you need to call your Honda dealer.

These characteristics are normal; they should not require you to call your Honda dealer.

Quick downshifts. The transmission has a computerized control system called grade logic. When going down a hill, even a light touch of the brake pedal can cause grade logic to downshift to the next lower gear. Downshifting helps to slow the vehicle through engine braking.
Does not always shift through the full range of gears. This can also be caused by the grade logic system keeping the transmission in the optimum gear for different driving conditions.
Mechanical noise when selecting a forward or reverse gear. It's normal to hear a slight mechanical noise when moving the shift lever from one gear to another. This noise can sound abnormally loud if any of the windows are down and you are parked next to a wall or another vehicle.
Vehicle may not hold its position when stopped on an incline in gear (may roll backward when the brake pedal is released). This can occur on most Honda-made vehicles. It is one of the measures used to improve fuel economy.
Hard shifts before the engine warms up. By design, the transmission shifts a little harder when the engine is cold. It returns to smoother shifting when the engine warms up.
These characteristics are not normal; if you experience any of them, call your Honda dealer.

While driving, the D4 indicator on the instrument panel flashes.
D4 Indicator

An abnormally loud noise from the transmission.
Extremely slow or delayed gear engagement, upshifts, or downshifts.
Abnormal gear slippage during upshifts or downshifts.
Erratic or excessively harsh shifting.
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) leaks.
In the next few weeks, owners of potentially affected vehicles will be sent a copy of this letter along with reimbursement instructions in case they previously paid to have the transmission repaired or replaced.

It's important to maintain your vehicle's transmission according to the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. Not maintaining the transmission properly can void the warranty coverage.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Honda Automobile Division

akuma69 · 03-08-2010, 07:21 PM

i think its just the VSS. Anyone had the same problem and got it fixed?

indylude18 · 03-08-2010, 09:04 PM

It could be the VSS, but the truth is that the auto transmission in 97-01 preludes sucks majorly. You should probably start by pulling the CEL codes and following the troubleshooting guide in the Helms to see if it is something repairable, in its not, brace yourself for a tranny rebuild. Good luck.

Kronn 98SH · 03-08-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indylude18

It could be the VSS, but the truth is that the auto transmission in 97-01 preludes sucks majorly. You should probably start by pulling the CEL codes and following the troubleshooting guide in the Helms to see if it is something repairable, in its not, brace yourself for a tranny rebuild. Good luck.

Exactly. Search for my thread and start reading/doing.

skyyskyy · 03-09-2010, 07:23 AM

had the exact same thing happen on my 4th gen auto it is your vss, got one off ebay for like 20 bucks 5th gen might be more.

I <3 My BB6 · 03-09-2010, 08:49 AM

Damn the dude that sold you that car is stoked! You know he feels he dodged a FAT bullet. GL with that tranny

akuma69 · 03-09-2010, 09:09 PM

hanks for the replies. I got the VSS replaced and the problem is fixed now. I did a bit more research and the D4 blinking is also related to the VSS. The D4 only started blinking when the VSS died. Research said something about how the solenoid or something in the transmission doesn't work properly because it cant get the speed of the car. So then the D4 flashes saying there is a problem.

After getting the VSS replaced, the D4 no longer blinks. Engine light is off. Everything is fine now.

I have heard about how auto preludes are prone to transmission problems. Could you give me advice on how NOT to drive to car to extend the transmission life. And also what signs should i look for, for a dieing transmission.

PS, i love the car

I <3 My BB6: why would he be stoked but? the car was fine when we test drove it and brough it back home. I guess it was just bad luck.

dontbuyprelude · 03-09-2010, 10:02 PM

he must be stoked because he got rid of a car with a POS transmission.

to extend you dying trans' life, change your atf every 15k miles, NEVER sportshift, drive like a grandma.

signs of a failing transmission are, clunk sounds in the tranny when shifting, erratic shifting, and all sorts of crap where you will definitly know your trans is done.

finally, be SURE to read the sticky at the top of the 5th gen forum and in general discussion forum about the auto trannies. good luck

akuma69 · 03-09-2010, 10:13 PM

what is "atf"

dontbuyprelude: never sportshift? so never use tiptronic? I do use the shifter every now and then when I want the Vtec to kick in (just for a lil thrill). And i hold the accelerator down while i shift up. Is that beating the tranny? Or is this fine?

dontbuyprelude · 03-09-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akuma69

what is "atf"

dontbuyprelude: never sportshift? so never use tiptronic? I do use the shifter every now and then when I want the Vtec to kick in (just for a lil thrill). And i hold the accelerator down while i shift up. Is that beating the tranny? Or is this fine?

ATF is automatic transmission fluid.

this isnt a porsche. its a prelude so its called sequential sportshift, not tiptronic.

*IF* you want your tranny to last as long as possible, dont sportshift. yes vtec is nice but its also hard on these fragile transmissions. literally drive like an old person goin 5 under in the fast lane.

Im sure that pressing the accelerator pedal while shifting in SS mode does the same thing that doing it in D would. < i dont recommend fast acceleration regardless of how you choose to shift (ss or D)

on a side note, at least you didnt spell vtec wrong

Kronn 98SH · 03-10-2010, 12:10 AM

Sell it and purchase a 5spd model.

akuma69 · 03-10-2010, 03:40 AM

damn.

hmmm so that means i dont know if the car will last me more than 2 years or not on the current transmission.

because i had already plans on buying new wheels, putting in dark tints, and lowering it.

But if the ride isn't gonna last long on the automatic trans, then i dont know if i should do those extra mods.

Kronn 98SH: i called up to ask how much a 5sp conversion would cost. They said $2500 australia dollars. But this is with used parts. People say if the trans dies out, better to do a manual conversion instead of repairing the auto trans.

Would the 5sp manual last long but?

I <3 My BB6 · 03-10-2010, 11:31 AM

Seriously while the car is running sell it! Sell it now! I love fellow prelude owners and I have absolutely nothing against you. I am not trying to be mean or talk your car down, but seriously the autos in these cars are total garbage. I had to find this out as well when I was a junior in HS. I severly overpaid for a flawless auto Lude. And just so you know if you were to take your car to a drag strip you would be in the 17's with or without using the sport shifter. It simply makes the tranny die faster, it does not make the car move faster. If your tranny is running perfect now that you fixed the vss either sell it or if you HAVE to keep it then : change the tranny fluid NOW, get an auto tranny cooler, and most importantly dont drive it hard.

skyyskyy · 03-10-2010, 03:09 PM

Is it just the 5th gen auto tranny that is crap? I have had my first car 92 si auto since i was 16 that was 12 years ago, with all the dumb crap i put that car through as a teen and then even more neglect when i got my 5th gen manual the auto trans on the 92 still runs like a top 280,000 miles later. Except for dumping the trans fluid and stomping on the gas in drive while atempting the get it in reverse mine wont die.

dontbuyprelude · 03-10-2010, 03:22 PM

^^of all the preludes, only the 5th gen SS auto appears to be a defective unit. although the manuals do have their own quirks like 3rd and 5th gear grind, reverse lockout