cherryprelude

hi I have a 1997 lude h22a4 auto and I believe Im having the infamous auto tranny problems so I had planned to swap to a 5 speed this summer instead of selling and starting all over with a new car. That being said I just ran into some confusion and hope you guys can help diagnose my problem correctly. I tried one other forum a couple days ago but never got a response.

My tranny runs like crap UNTIL it warms up then its fine. Which I thought tranny problems are supposed to be the other way around!? But I only have problems with shifting for about the first 5 to 10 minutes of driving unless I let the car warm up for about twenty minutes before I drive it then I don't have much of a problem at all. It shifts hard, jumps at stops, and pops into neutral before shifting up. but like I said no problems after the first 5-10 minutes. I saw on another forum someone said it could be a front engine mount? I dont see the logic in that but it does raise the question. I was going to replace the tranny fluid until I was advise not to by our mechanic at work because it could potentially make the problem worse since my fluid looks like it has never been changed before. I work at Mid-Ohio sports car couse and our mechanic works on Hondas and Acuras all day so I trust him a lot. With that said I would like to know your guys' opinion. Selling my car is not an option. There's already too much money into it and to start over now would just be stupid. so my question is what do you think the problem is really? Tranny, front engine mount, or something else?

RomPirate

Its the transmission, why would an engine mount "start working" after the car is warm?

I have heard the same thing about not changing the fluid. The stuff in the fluid is helping the transmission function properly... Allegedly. I haven't got too much experience with that personally, but i've heard the same so there might be some truth in it.

secondly, you work at a sports car course and you still went for the auto? (even after all the stuff?) Come on man!


5spd swap ftw.

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cherryprelude

Thats exactly what I thought about the front engine mount. It just didnt make sense to me. I bought this car on a whim actually. I was just looking for a daily driver that would be reliable. I bought it from a guy who claims he barely drove it because he had some horrible diabetes that caused him to go almost blind?! $4,500. This car is the reason I have started to learn more about automobiles. I didnt want a standard at the time because I did a lot of city driving which meant a lot of stopping and going. I regret it now because after all the things I have done at my work over the past 4 years I have the need for speed! and I believe I have your thread bookmarked for when my buddy and I tackle this 5 speed swap this July. I'm not too experienced in any car work but its in my blood. My grandfather owns a shop and my dad was a great mechanic before he took up being a cop. My buddy has a better handle around car work then I do though so I'm not worried. I cant wait to take it out on the track after hours once its done too :P