Why is there so much play in my transmission?

[Lean L]

Auto 2009 v6 accord

When I shift from D to R sometimes the car will slide half a foot before it feels like the gear is engaged. Is this cause for concern?

Thanks for reading.

 

[redyouch]

Did you check your fluid levels? And do you mean roll half a foot?

 

[Lean L]

My fluid is nice and pink and at the right level. and yes.

 

[phucheneh]

Why is your car being given the opportunity to roll in the wrong direction?

Back up, full stop, shift to drive, go. If the time to engage drive is excessive, that's a fine complaint, but said time should be spent stationary. 'Forward gear takes too long to stop my rear momentum' is a silly complaint and will be the death of your trans.

 

[SSSnail]

You suppose to have your foot on the BRAKE when shifting gears with auto transmission, why is your car moving at all?

 

[Lean L]

Let me reiterate.

Drive
Full brake
Reverse
Let go of brake
Rolls forward

 

[Bartman39]

Sounds like a sticking solenoid valve or weak clutch...? Not sure how it works but if it has a lock down band that is solenoid operated (locks the drum to allow for reverse) then this could be the issue but of course as I said "not sure how it works" or should say is built...?

 

[SSSnail]

Let me reiterate.

Drive
Full brake
Reverse
WAIT FOR TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE
Let go of brake
Rolls forward

Try this..

 

[Lean L]

Try this..

I will refer you to the post right above yours as an example of an actual useful post. I would say you didn't grasp the point of the question but I suspect that is not true...

Anyways, thanks bartman. Is this for a Honda transmission as well? I know they don't use the planetary gear system. I was hoping that it is just a symptom of having an actual clutch in the transmission. Anyone know if their Honda does this?

 

[LTC8K6]

Are you checking the fluid level the correct way?

There are no stupid questions...

 

[Lean L]

Between the two dots when not started and above the second line when started.

 

[fstime]

I think this may be the differential's gears changing direction from the play between the teeth.

 

[phucheneh]

Let me reiterate.

Drive
Full brake
Reverse
Let go of brake
Rolls forward

Take a video of it. I still suspect you're wanting instantaneous engagement of the gear, and that just doesn't happen. Give the car the fraction of a second it needs to engage the proper gear.

I would also point out that your transmission is not a brake. You shouldn't be leaning on it and expecting it to hold you from rolling foward (or back, when in drive) on any kind of incline. Emphasis on 'any kind,' because if you've properly halted the cars inertia in the other direction and are on level ground, it's not going to roll forward in reverse, even if the reverse clutch pack is totally smoked.

Hondas, moreso than anything else, actually have a tendancy to pull a little more at low RPM. On level ground, they will often actually try to roll forward in neutral. A lot of FWD's will actually spin the wheels in neutral if you put them in the air; Honda are just the only ones I can recall trying to make a slow getaway on the ground.

Basically, if there is truly no driver error here, then slipping in reverse only would indicate a problem with either the clutches that engage gear, or the hydraulic circuit that actuates said clutches. Generally low line pressure would likely affect more than just reverse.

If it is, in fact, a problem with the reverse clutches, then, well, I'd have to say that they got that by...yup, driver error. I've never heard of a reverse gear failure due to worn clutches; parking lot maneuvering just doesn't subject them to the same stress levels that your forward gears (especially 1 and 2) will see.