2003 MDX Transmission "Drops Out of Drive" at very low speed. - Page 2

proman · 01-16-2013, 11:27 AM

This problem is caused by the first gear clutch assy. I heard the material used to make the parts are not strong enough, so got worn over time and sometimes the sprag won't be able to engage and car won't move. Only happen when the tranny shifts to 1st gear.

If you drive in D5, the computer select which gear to engage. So when you slow down to stop, the tranny shifts to 1st gear and if your 1st gear clutch is bad, that's why the car won't move.

If you don't want to spend $4000 to fix it, the temporary work around is to put the stick to "2" position when the problem happens. This way you force the tranny to be in 2nd gear (skip the first gear). After the car takes off, manually shift to D5 and you are good to go.

yogi799 · 01-16-2013, 11:40 AM

Oh really? D2 and D3 and so on force the tranny to stay in the respective gear?? I've always thought it tells the tranny what gear NOT TO GO PAST... Ie. D3 would allow 1, 2 and 3rd, but not 4th or 5th.

Wrong?

las4444 · 01-16-2013, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogi799

Oh really? D2 and D3 and so on force the tranny to stay in the respective gear?? I've always thought it tells the tranny what gear NOT TO GO PAST... Ie. D3 would allow 1, 2 and 3rd, but not 4th or 5th.

Wrong?

2nd gear is designed to let you take off in slippery conditions lessening the torque first gear offers. Anytime you are in 2, the transmission will not go to 1st gear. D2 will run 2 only; D3-1,2,3; D4-1,2,3,4; D5- 1,2,3,4,5. As stated by proman, 2 will negate the 1st gear problem. This info is in the car manual.

yogi799 · 01-16-2013, 03:00 PM

Thanks. Sweet. For all these years, I had no idea about this special function of D2... Good to know.

Tyler · 01-17-2013, 08:07 PM

curious do you guys get the shudder too? (which I'm assuming)

proman · 02-01-2013, 10:45 AM

Shudder is caused by the torque converter, that's a different problem.

Tyler · 02-02-2013, 01:27 PM

I'm aware, I was just curious to see who had both problems. I have both the tc and the dropping out of gear issue.

richkuan · 02-05-2013, 05:59 PM

Shudder is caused by failed locking mechanism in the TC. Gear drop off in this case is caused by the low gear clutch, on the 2nd shaft.

PsychoKnight · 02-05-2013, 11:22 PM

Its a whole lot easier to diagnose engine/tranny mounts than the tranny itself.

On older cars, if the mounts have not been replaced, broken mounts account for the tranny problem on many occassions. For me, its been 5 out of 6 times, on 3 brands of cars. Only in 1 of 6 cases of transmission problems was the problem in the transmission itself.

At idel, if the motor/tranny assembly is jarring and shaking due to broken mounts, it will cause the atf to froth up and the hydro dynamics get all screwed up. When the engine revs up, the vibration is smoothed out, the engine/tyranny isn't bouncing around as it was in idle.

Anyhow, even if you don't believe me, what does it hurt to see if the mounts are deteriorated and replaced if need be? Its something you'd want to do anyhow, and if the tranny problem goes away, then 2 birds with one stone.

What sayest thou?

phins2rt · 02-06-2013, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoKnight

Its a whole lot easier to diagnose engine/tranny mounts than the tranny itself.

On older cars, if the mounts have not been replaced, broken mounts account for the tranny problem on many occassions. For me, its been 5 out of 6 times, on 3 brands of cars. Only in 1 of 6 cases of transmission problems was the problem in the transmission itself.

At idel, if the motor/tranny assembly is jarring and shaking due to broken mounts, it will cause the atf to froth up and the hydro dynamics get all screwed up. When the engine revs up, the vibration is smoothed out, the engine/tyranny isn't bouncing around as it was in idle.

Anyhow, even if you don't believe me, what does it hurt to see if the mounts are deteriorated and replaced if need be? Its something you'd want to do anyhow, and if the tranny problem goes away, then 2 birds with one stone.

What sayest thou?

I'll check this out the next time I have her on jack stands. Thanks Bruce!

richkuan · 02-07-2013, 12:29 PM

On my car, it's "2", not "D2". Which means the computer doesn't control the gear selection in this position.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogi799

Thanks. Sweet. For all these years, I had no idea about this special function of D2... Good to know.

01-17-2013, 08:07 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tyler Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manchester, New Hampshire Posts: 204	curious do you guys get the shudder too? (which I'm assuming) __________________ 02 Black MDX 03 Blue MDX 88' Volvo 240 - 445,000 mi. 07 Civic Si

02-02-2013, 01:27 PM	#22 (permalink)
Tyler Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manchester, New Hampshire Posts: 204	I'm aware, I was just curious to see who had both problems. I have both the tc and the dropping out of gear issue. __________________ 02 Black MDX 03 Blue MDX 88' Volvo 240 - 445,000 mi. 07 Civic Si

02-05-2013, 05:59 PM	#23 (permalink)
richkuan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 172	Shudder is caused by failed locking mechanism in the TC. Gear drop off in this case is caused by the low gear clutch, on the 2nd shaft. __________________ --- --- --- --- --- --- Rich --- --- --- --- --- --- 2008 BMW 750Li 2003 MDX Navi 2000 Sienna LX 1992 Accord EX, 205k, Strong 1992 Accord LX, 223k, Strong 1988 Camry, Sold 1982 Accord, Sold 1978 Toronado, Junked

02-05-2013, 11:22 PM	#24 (permalink)
PsychoKnight Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: L.A. & SGV Posts: 718	Engine Mounts Its a whole lot easier to diagnose engine/tranny mounts than the tranny itself. On older cars, if the mounts have not been replaced, broken mounts account for the tranny problem on many occassions. For me, its been 5 out of 6 times, on 3 brands of cars. Only in 1 of 6 cases of transmission problems was the problem in the transmission itself. At idel, if the motor/tranny assembly is jarring and shaking due to broken mounts, it will cause the atf to froth up and the hydro dynamics get all screwed up. When the engine revs up, the vibration is smoothed out, the engine/tyranny isn't bouncing around as it was in idle. Anyhow, even if you don't believe me, what does it hurt to see if the mounts are deteriorated and replaced if need be? Its something you'd want to do anyhow, and if the tranny problem goes away, then 2 birds with one stone. What sayest thou? __________________ TheyUsedToCallMeBruce 2005 N/T cert, orig 2001 totalled @175k by errant left turner - that first '01 took us to the arctic coast of NW Territories, & also sep. trip to New Foundland from Los Angeles.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

01-16-2013, 11:27 AM	#16 (permalink)
proman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Posts: 113	This problem is caused by the first gear clutch assy. I heard the material used to make the parts are not strong enough, so got worn over time and sometimes the sprag won't be able to engage and car won't move. Only happen when the tranny shifts to 1st gear. If you drive in D5, the computer select which gear to engage. So when you slow down to stop, the tranny shifts to 1st gear and if your 1st gear clutch is bad, that's why the car won't move. If you don't want to spend $4000 to fix it, the temporary work around is to put the stick to "2" position when the problem happens. This way you force the tranny to be in 2nd gear (skip the first gear). After the car takes off, manually shift to D5 and you are good to go.

01-16-2013, 11:40 AM	#17 (permalink)
yogi799 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 402	Oh really? D2 and D3 and so on force the tranny to stay in the respective gear?? I've always thought it tells the tranny what gear NOT TO GO PAST... Ie. D3 would allow 1, 2 and 3rd, but not 4th or 5th. Wrong?

01-16-2013, 03:00 PM	#19 (permalink)
yogi799 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 402	Thanks. Sweet. For all these years, I had no idea about this special function of D2... Good to know.

02-01-2013, 10:45 AM	#21 (permalink)
proman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Posts: 113	Shudder is caused by the torque converter, that's a different problem.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
MDXers.org Advertisement