Multiple Problems - 2005 MDX

[dwolff517]

I was driving the other night going to a restaraunt in the city. I went to drop the wife and kids at the front door. I attempted to put the car in park and it would not go beyone neutral. I proceeded to drop them off. I then turned the car to neutral and turned the car off. It then allowed me to shift to park allowing me to parallel park the car (couldn't without reverse). After we left the restaurant we began to drive home. The same thing happened again and I couldn't go in reverse. I corrected by turning the engine off and starting again. When I was driving the GPS system basically stopped working. The spedometer also stopped working. I then noticed that even though I was in Drive 5 the car would not come out of low gear. I proceeded to drive home on side streets since I couldn't get out of low gear. I made it about 2 miles and then the car totally died and had to get a tow. The engine light came on as well as VPS (I think) light. Still waiting to hear from the dealer but trying to investigate on my own what the problem is. Would this be an electrical problem?

[94LS]

sounds like an electrical issue. I'm guessing the battery, but could be the alternator causing the battery to be drained. I'm seen quite a few cars have issues shifting with a borderline battery, and considering the car died completely doesn't sound like the alternator is doing its job either.

[dwolff517]

They said the main problem was the shaft of the transmission was rubbing the speed sensor. That's why the spedometer wasn't working. They are saying I need a new transmission for $5100. Doesn't entirely make sense to me.

[TheBigKahuna]

I'd get a 2nd and 3rd opinion!

[RallyD]

A vehicle speed sensor (vss) is about $50 from online parts sources.
It attaches to the outside of the transmission with one bolt and one wire harness connector. You should just take it to a local shop and have that part replaced and/or the wires to the connector inspected/repaired.
The vehicle speed sensor problem would exibit all of the symptoms you are describing, with the exception of your dealer trying to gouge you.

If in fact the transmission differential is rubbing on the sensor(unlikely), you can have the transmission changed out for much less at a transmission shop.

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

[nsxtasy]

Originally Posted by TheBigKahuna

I'd get a 2nd and 3rd opinion!

Many dealers don't have techs (mechanics) who have a lot of experience rebuilding engines and transmissions and getting familiar with their internals. Less experienced techs are more likely to recommend replacing entire assemblies and systems, rather than understanding which specific parts could be replaced to fix the actual cause of the problem.

I'm not saying this is necessarily the case here, but...

[boston]

You need a quality second opinion. It all sounds wrong to me.


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[SuperTech]

Originally Posted by nsxtasy

Many dealers don't have techs (mechanics) who have a lot of experience rebuilding engines and transmissions and getting familiar with their internals. Less experienced techs are more likely to recommend replacing entire assemblies and systems, rather than understanding which specific parts could be replaced to fix the actual cause of the problem.

I'm not saying this is necessarily the case here, but...

It's not that dealer techs don't know how to open up a transmission. We just have different guidlines to follow.

There is a service bulletin that in a nutshell says if a transmission has more than so many miles on it (I forgot the specific number, but it's really not a lot) then no individual component replacement is advised. The entire transmission assembly should be replaced.

I've been burned enough times trying to save my customers money by just doing a linear solenoid or something only to have the problem come right back.

I've replaced synchos in manual transmissions many times. Honda doesn't have a problem with us doing individual component replacement on manuals. But they also have guidelines that most other shops would ignore. For example. If any metal particles are found, ALL of the bearings need to be replaced. Not taken out and cleaned thoroughly like most others would do. But flat out replaced.