"Stuart S. Berr" <berr@virginia.edu> wrote:

> I just took my Honda Odyssey 2002 in for the transmission recall. They
> apparently did not find anything wrong with it and added an "oil jet
> kit" that is supposed to keep the tranny from overheating. There is
> something wierd that happens when driving around 35-30 mph. It is as
> though someone is stepping on the clutch (although it is an automatic);
> The engine revs, but the gears are not engaged.

Does this happen as the transmission is shifting (between gears)? If
so, it sounds similar to my first 2 transmissions - each was diagnosed
with burned out clutch packs. If you are getting little or no grip
(lots of slip), you could be looking at the same problem.

> I have had this happen
> to me before on a Subaru when the transmission fluid is low. However,
> the tranny fluid on the Honda is not loww (a little bit high if
> anything). It happens for 10-15 seconds then stops.

10-15 seconds seems REAL long. The worst mine got was about 3 seconds
on my first transmission after driving 6,000 miles while Honda fought
me on the replacement since this was "so rare."

> It happens more when
> my wife dirves than when I do - which is to say she complains about it
> happening all the time, and I only experience it occasional ywhen I
> drive it.
>
> Does anyone have an idea of what this is? Is it dangerous to drive?

I have read much in the way of posts here and on other forums as well
as the 1000+ page pdf from Acura on the NHTSA website. It seems the
trannys eventually just not go into a gear at all, or in the case of
some of the early 5 speed autos, downshift unexpectedly at high speeds
and effectively kill themselves. Just hesitating while slipping (or
not being engaged in a gear) would be dangerous. The downshifting
would be real dangerous with enough speed.

I would take it back to the dealer - tell them the trans is slipping.
If they are uncooperative, call the service managers at other dealers
and explain your situation. Most likely one of them would like to
have Honda pay them for another 6 hour trans swap.
Good Luck

-James