Please Help!! Integra Won't Shift!!!
 

I bought an 88' acura integra automatic about 3 years ago, and it shifted fine until a couple of months ago. It simply would not shift out of first gear, i would press all the way down on the gas and the the needle would go into the red, even though it only went 15 miles an hour, even after it warmed up. I drove it that way for a while and finally took it to two different mechanics, they both told me I needed a new transmission. SO, I got the transmission rebuilt and it STILL does the same thing!! I am afraid that the shifting problem will cause my transmission to get torn up all over again! They even replaced the torque converter and the electronic clutch!! I am at my wit's end over this car, I payed $2000 to replace that transmission!! please help me out, I don't want to be duped by another mechanic.

maybe your ecu isnt sending any messeges to the shifting solenoids? try replacing the solenoids...but i dont know for sure just telling you what i think

Off the cuff, I also would bet that it is a shift solenoid problem..either with the solenoids, or the ECU itself. However, 2 questions come to mind:
What was the first mechanic's diagnosis of the problem?
What specific components did they replace in the transmission?

The first mechanic's diagnosis was a bad transmission. But he only drove it around, didnt look inside. Second guy said that it was the transmission and some other things like torque converter. They replaced the fluid, cotter pin, torque converter, mainshaft, clutch drum, countershift drive nut, masinshaft drive nut, input shaft bearing, countershaft bearing, differential drive bearings and they got an automatic trans overhaul kit and used that(i dont know much about cars). They said that they found massive metal contamination and a worn 2/4 clutch drum. clutch drum on 4th gear broken retainer ring, and damaged all steel internal drive plates.

So they basically swapped in new wear parts, but never took the time to actually diagnose why the transmission wouldn't shift....:thinking: I'm no professional mechanic, but that seems to me like a shady way of "patching" the problem....

Since they failed to solve the problem at all, I'd go back and tell them to get it taken care of... For $2000, they should be able to diagnose the problem and take decisive action to repair it, not use a "shotgun" approach like the one they've used.

To be frank, I do not have a very good impression of these "mechanics". They sound shady to me, based on what you've told me..

Sounds like they just mickey mouse you trans. It would have been cheaper if they just swaped a used trany.

Well, the thing is, I'm not sure if he actually knows what's wrong with it. I'm sure that after replacing the trans and test driving it as much as he did, he still knew that it wasn't shifting. It was obvious the night that I picked it up that he still knew something was wrong with it, because they test drove it 3 times while i was waiting. I am posting on this board about this to get some advice on what the problem might Actually be, so I can call the guy and tell him what you guys say. It might steer him in the right direction. He is actually the one who sold me the car to begin with (he is a honda dealer)I don't have time for him to keep my car for a week and take it apart over and over again not knowing what to look for. He also gets frustrated easily.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33733

You can find a used one for not even close to $2000 bux

I payed 2700 for this one and i just payed 2000 to get it fixed....I'd rather hang on to this one and just find out what's wrong with it (it seems like no one knows what this seemingly simple problem could be).........

Go back to the shop and tell them to fix the problem or give you your money back. If they drag their feet, contact the better business bureau. You need to document all the things you are doing. There needs to be a paper trail, showing that you took exhaustive measures to resolve the problembetween yu and this shop, if all else fails, take them to small claims court. Before you sue them, either hand deliver or better yet send certified mail at least two letters threatening a lawsuit prior to filing suit. That way you can stand in front of the judge and say, "Your honor, I am very sorry to be taking up the courts time, I made many attempts to work this out before coming here." You already have about as much into repairs as the car is worth