Hi Honda Accord Experts,

I have a 1993 Honda Accord 2 Door Coupe (Automatic) with 56,000 ++ miles on it. The car works fine until after I brought it at Midas to have it checked for the A/C unit.

Anyways, I noticed that after I brought it there, the car's shift does not move. I don't want to put the blame on Midas until I really find out what's really going on. The mechanic from Midas left a long plier stuck in between the hood and the radiator so that's why I am thinking twice about that shop.

I have my car parked in the house's driveway and I could start the engine without a problem, but from park this does not shift to reverse or drive even if I press on the break pedal.

As I have said earlier, I would like to give Midas the benefit of the doubt that they have something to do with this even when they left a tool inside the hood.

What troubleshooting steps should I do to determine if this has bad transmission? Should I just buy a Transmission Oil/Liquid to fill this up and see if this works? Any other suggestions?

Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

Sincerely yours,
Servie

 

Do you hear the shift unlock solenoid at the base of the shift lever when you step on the brake? Try to unlock the shift lever using the key (or screwdriver) in the slot near the shift lever. If that frees it up, then don't mess with additives & stuff in the trans - concentrate troubleshooting in that interlock circuit. Brake lights work??

If that doesn't free it up, you need to rule out a stuck (corroded?) shift cable from the lever out to the trans. Dismantle enough of the console to access the cable. Is the lever stuck or is the cable unable to move?

 

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the prompt and speedy reply. I hear the shift unlock or make a clicking sound when I step on the brake. I tried using the car key to unlock the lever but it did not work either. The brake lights work without a doubt.

It looks like it has a stuck shift cable as wha you suggested. Dismantling the console would be another thing, I think I would get professional help in repairing this?

How much would you think labor/materials would cost for the repair? If the repair costs more than $1,000. Would you think its worth to have this repaired at all? Or just sell the car as-is.

Sincerely yours,
Servie

 

Under the trans, remove the cover #4. Have someone try to move the shift lever - you'll see if the cable is trying to move the lever #1 at the trans.


I never had a 93, but the console shouldn't be that tough to take apart.


ps...
I'll move this to General Tech.

 

Hands down, this is thus far the best forum help I've had in years. It's gonna be a big thing for me here, I may have to ask a friend of mine who's a mechanic to give me a hand. All I have dismantled before are Servers and PC's.

Again, thank you for the A1 car support on this forum. My hat's off to you Jim! And more power to this forum..... Take care now.

Sincerely,
Servie

 

As usual Jim...outstanding pictures and good solid info you come up with..
Thank You for all your good knowledge

 

Well, wait till you get into the console. The parts pictures might not do it justice. I had a 1998 & the lower dashboard panels had to come off in order to reach the fasteners for the console. Like I said I never had a 93 so there might be some hidden stuff like that. And servers & PCs aren't usually greasy & dripping with rainwater.

But at 17 years old, I wouldn't be surprised if the cable is rusted & hard to move.

 

The console is cake to remove just have to locate the screws. Just delete the solenoid it won’t hurt. I had to do this in my 93 and you will never have your shifter lock up again.

 

That will only work if the solenoid is the problem. If a rusted cable is the problem then you need a new cable. If the cable is fine but the lever at the transmission doesn't work, then ... um ... good luck.

 

Thank you all for your inputs. Will work on this trans issue this weekend.