Asking for an acquaintance of an acquaintance of a family member kind of deal (i.e. I personally have no access to the vehicle and am going through multiple proxies, so…)
As in title, 1999 Honda CR-V appears to be “stuck” in 4th gear.
First question:
it’s an auto, right? Not a CVT?
I seem to be getting mixed signals from various sources, but as far as I can tell, if it’s 2wd it’s running an electronically controlled traditional slushbox knows as the MDLA and if it’s 4wd it’s using the exact same trans but with rear shaft split off the final drive designated as MDMA.
Next question:
What would you do next to diagnose/fix this guy?
Here’s what I’m told:
If you start vehicle up, put in D, it is sluggish and appears to be “stuck” in 4th gear. Putting the shifter into 1 appears to put the vehicle in 1st gear and it moves off as expected in 1st gear. Moving the stick to 2nd appears to allow shift to 2nd. Moving the shifter any further appears to do nothing, meaning you’re now stuck in 2nd gear.
So the 2 choices are: stuck in 4th with stick in D, or shift down to 1st and then to 2nd, where you are stuck due to not shifting up even if shifter is moved to new position.
I have some ideas, but some of you folks seem familiar with Hondas of this vintage so I thought I’d see if you’re willing to throw some information my way…
PS no flashing D that I’m aware of, but I’m halfway betting they just haven’t mentioned it…
Depending on the mileage, and use, time to rebuild. It’s not a CVT.
Possibly quicker, easier to get a one out of a lower mileage transmission from a salvage yard to get it running again before considering to rebuild the existing transmission to minimize down time if it’s a keeper.
It’s a decent solid vehicle if it was given proper care.
If it’s the version with the tall/longer intake manifold, it the first version of that generation that’s rated around <130hp, as opposed to the later short intake manifold with plastic plenum on top that’s rated about 150hp.
Would check the selector, shifter cables, bushes, valve body and for error codes first though.
It can be read using a piece of wire to jump a connecter located near the ECU.
Going through multiple proxies is the worst. That’s gotta be a pain in the rear.
Absolutely, positively, not a CVT. No chance. It’s a 4AT or it has a clutch pedal.
What with the multiple proxies thing (and the corollary, being that who knows the level of “mechanic” the final person that actually looks directly at the thing will be), I’d say tell them 1) check the fluid level 2) get codes read 3) suck it up and take it to an actual mechanic.
Or get a DMS membership, bring it in and take things apart until you learn something, of course.
Those transmissions had their fair share of solenoid issues - more than one TSB for them. Pretty easy to test. Much cheaper than a trans. If the solenoids test good, chances are the passages & screens to them are clogged leading to a more in depth repair problem.
They also experienced a rougher life where their owners never serviced them i.e. never changed the fluid.
You might try removing the cartridge filter on the trans and checking it for the obvious signs of “i’ve been serviced before” and change/flush the fluid and fill with Honda ATF and hope for better results.
I prefer the least expensive approach when possible.