den7

Hi, I'm fixing a friend's '92 automatic Honda Prelude (JDM BA-8, F22B engine) at the moment. It's having trouble shifting from Park to Reverse. I can feel it sticking somewhere i the assembly, but it's difficult to pinpoint where. The rest of the gear selections are fine. Before I pulled it apart the problem was intermittent, but getting worse, now it's more consistent... If the car has been sitting for a while in Park it is harder to move to reverse. It's a little better if it's been shifted between Park and Reverse a few times.

The first thing I did was check the solenoid that locks the transmission in park until your put your foot on the brake. That is functioning correctly. Next I pulled the covers off the shifter assembly and regreased the channel with the notches that holds it in gear, thinking this might be causing the problem. That did nothing. The shifter assembly looks OK, but I'm hesitant to pull it apart at this stage. I read on a Accord forum that a couple of people have found trouble with the Cable linking the shifter to the transmission. A couple of questions.

First, any suggestions on what might be causing this problem?

Second, if it is the cable, does this require removal of some of the transmission casing in order to replace it? The manual I have seems a bit vague on this point... Is it a two piece cable?
I have been underneath the car and I can't see any way to remove the cable without removing some of the casing, but I may be missing something. Any help would be appreciated.

 

den7

Thanks to all those who looked. Replacing the cable solved the problem. For those who come across the same problem, the manual does show how to remove the shifter cable. It has a cover which looks like part of the transmission. The manual also states you need to remove the exhaust to replace the cable. It's not necessary. Simply unbolt the heat shield and let it drop down onto the exhaust pipe. That gives plenty of clearance to get a spanner in to undo the 3 bolts needed to remove the cable. It's a bit of a pain getting the bolts back in, but a lot less hassle than removing most of the exhaust system, especially without a hoist.
Biggest problem with the job. The locking washer attaching the cable to the control lever inside the transmission.

SNsLude

Hmmm my gf's is having this problem on her civic. It's nothing bad right now, but over time I bet it'll turn into this problem. Thanks for posting your info

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-Steven