RT4WD auto, slow into reverse?

White&NerdyWhite&Nerdy Senior Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
The thread on grinding in reverse inspired me to ask about this little quirk. Ever since I got it, sometimes - not always - when the temperature outside is cold, my car takes several seconds to actually engage reverse from the time I move the shift lever into R. It always goes eventually. It doesn't do this at all in warm weather. Fluid level doesn't matter - it's been low before (small leak in the tranny), but does it when full too. I replaced the fluid when I replaced an axle a month or two ago, and that hasn't had any effect (though the fluid is much cleaner now, old stuff wasn't).

Anybody know why it may be doing this, and/or how to fix it? Other than not back up or drive when it's cold...

Comments

  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    idle (cold) rpm ok ?
    is set (adjustable) at rotational speed/ratio(s)
    if its to low it just wont pick up...

    my english technical jabbaryahoo sux ...

    : )
  • White&NerdyWhite&Nerdy Senior Wagonist
    Sometimes the car does idle a little too low, but I have this problem after my half hour drive to work when everything's warmed up, regardless of outside temperature. And only sometimes. I haven't been able to figure out a pattern yet. So I just back into my driveway at night so I don't have to wait to get out in the morning. :lol: Never had a problem going into a forward gear, only reverse.
  • Eagle BeagleEagle Beagle familEE
    : )
    so whats the problem then...

    similar mishaps could derive from the smallest things ...

    before i get lost in techlingo ... it could be electronical too ...
    a lot of things start to happen when your battery is on its way ...
    Sometimes the car does idle a little too low
    idle (cold) rpm ok?
    mind the quotes
  • evol911evol911 familEE
    Don't know much about Auto's in Honda's but maybe the cable isn't adjusted right or not tight so its not putting it into gear all the way. When you shift into reverse, does the car roll back slightly? If it does maybe that action is "helping" it get into reverse. Maybe??
  • jkwanusjkwanus New Wagonist
    I have also same problem on my wagon this winter. When I shift gear D to R, it take 4-5 sec to engage and go back. once it is engaged, it works pretty good without any loss of power.
    RT4wd 89
    Trans was rebuilt on Mar, 2010

    Is it problem on trans again? or just due to cold weather, or is it normal reaction?

    Anybody help?
  • simplyhondasimplyhonda Council Member
    Mine does the same thing! Also an 89' RT4WD. I have noticed it only in the cold also. I havn't given it much thought. It doesn't gring or anything so I just figured that was normal & from what I am reading, maybe it is. I will worry about it when it won't work anymore.
  • absolutetintingabsolutetinting Wagonist
    thats funny, mine started to do the same thing. from drive to reverse 3-5 second delay. from park to drive is fine.

    any ideas?
  • pyroskater6912pyroskater6912 Wagonist
    well i'm glad i'm not the only one here who has the same little issue
  • jkwanusjkwanus New Wagonist
    I tested it again carefully. Once I shift gear D to R at once, holding left button, (not pausing on N), it is slow to engage 4 to 5 sec. However, if I shift it D -(not holding left button)- N - (pause about 1 or 0.5 sec and need to hold left button to push up lever to R ) - R in steps slowly, it engages perfectly without lag time.
    Is it normal or something wrong on trans?

    Thanks
  • jkwanusjkwanus New Wagonist
    Please help!!!
  • absolutetintingabsolutetinting Wagonist
    charb calls automatics wussie. thats why we get no help. lol
  • jkwanusjkwanus New Wagonist
    absolutetinting wrote:
    charb calls automatics wussie. thats why we get no help. lol

    Have you ever tried to shift it from D to N (pause .5 sec) to R in step slowly? Is it still slow to engage on your wagon? I am wondering if others have similar reaction.
  • jkwanusjkwanus New Wagonist
    The problem of the slow to engage was solved. I brought my wagon to a mechanic. He inspected it and lifted up the wagon. Finally, he found the worn axle bearing and cracked tooth on axle shaft which may cause to slip a wheel. Therefore, when I shift gear from D to R, holding brake, it is slow to engage becasue transmission recognizes a wheel is still spinnig due to the worn axle and activates safty mechanism.
  • JDMWago666JDMWago666 Senior Wagonist
    Glad you got it figured out.
  • jkwanusjkwanus New Wagonist
    The symptom of the slow to engage into gear was happened again in the morning. I drove about 5mile and stopped by brake. I shifted gear to N and felt a kind of gear was still spining although my wagon stopped completely. I pushed it into R then it was slow to engage about 3-4 second.

    Why is something spining although I stepped a brake?

    Any help?
  • jkwanusjkwanus New Wagonist
    Thanks for everyone's help. Actually, I noticed that symptom was disappeared recently. I thought it is becasue of summer. I do not know why it was happend only in winter.

    Bad ATF?

    Thanks
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