Honda Car Forum

I'm noticing the "S" light indicator going on and off erratically (not
steadily) at times on my 91 Accord (automatic transmission). Usually
it will go on in the beginning of a trip and then usually go out and
stay out for the remainder of a short trip. I did notice it shift
differently when the light was on as opposed to off today. Also I've
been noticing a slightly louder engine rpm's than normal for weeks
thinking it was an exhaust leak till now. Assuming this all is a
transmission problem, who is best to diagnose this (Honda dealer
service dept as opposed to others). I'm not sure I can replicate the
problem ( "S" light indicator) on cue for any shop when needed to.

Any idea what transmission work costs today??

Any ideas how best to approach this? I don't want to ignor it.

frankg <fg11@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<0jdgov08qfm43hbkvi1a8n5jb6aiil7hfh@4ax.com>. ..
> I'm noticing the "S" light indicator going on and off erratically (not
> steadily) at times on my 91 Accord (automatic transmission). Usually
> it will go on in the beginning of a trip and then usually go out and
> stay out for the remainder of a short trip. I did notice it shift
> differently when the light was on as opposed to off today. Also I've
> been noticing a slightly louder engine rpm's than normal for weeks
> thinking it was an exhaust leak till now. Assuming this all is a
> transmission problem, who is best to diagnose this (Honda dealer
> service dept as opposed to others). I'm not sure I can replicate the
> problem ( "S" light indicator) on cue for any shop when needed to.
>
> Any idea what transmission work costs today??
>
> Any ideas how best to approach this? I don't want to ignor it.


There are two likely possibilities:

ONE: The signal wire from your sport-shift button or the switch
itself is intermittantly grounding somewhere, causing the computer to
erratically change back and forth from sport mode.

TWO: Honda had a transaxle computer update for that exact problem on
that bodystyle Accord; it went into effect in the early to mid 90s. A
bad computer could cause the S light to turn on for no reason. The
actual shifting sometimes was effected, other times not.

Who to trust?
Keep in mind, Honda doesn't owe you a free repair on a 1991 vehicle,
but I guarantee an independent shop won't offer a fix for free! The
dealer should be aware of the problem, but they will probably charge
you to check it out even if you mention that you are aware of the
computer issue. After all, your car is way out of warrantee. This
leads me to suggest you go to the dealer. If you can spare the car
for a few days, let their technician start it every morning until the
S light acts up for him. Then the tech will know from experience if
it is a common computer problem or something more involved.

Just keep in mind, if someone tells you you need a trans overhaul, get
a second opinion!

On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 at 17:07 GMT, <fg11@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I'm noticing the "S" light indicator going on and off erratically (not
> steadily) at times on my 91 Accord (automatic transmission). Usually
> it will go on in the beginning of a trip and then usually go out and
> stay out for the remainder of a short trip. I did notice it shift
> differently when the light was on as opposed to off today. Also I've
> been noticing a slightly louder engine rpm's than normal for weeks
> thinking it was an exhaust leak till now. Assuming this all is a
> transmission problem, who is best to diagnose this (Honda dealer
> service dept as opposed to others). I'm not sure I can replicate the
> problem ( "S" light indicator) on cue for any shop when needed to.

IIRC, my 91 accord manual says that erratic "S" light may indicate
tranny problems. I don't remember the specifics.


--
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> TWO: Honda had a transaxle computer update for that exact problem on
> that bodystyle Accord; it went into effect in the early to mid 90s. A
> bad computer could cause the S light to turn on for no reason. The
> actual shifting sometimes was effected, other times not.

I had the same problem two years ago on my '91 Accord LX. The S light was
on even though I didn't turn on sport mode. More scary, the car would just
erratically down shift to 2nd gear on the highway, at 65 mph. I took the
car to a Honda dealer. They eventually diagnosed it to be a computer
problem. They told me the computer had to be ordered from Honda and it
would take a few months. Alternatively, I could try to locate one at a junk
yard and bring it to them and they would install it for me. I did just that
(although I could only locate a '90 Accord computer - but it works fine
anyways) and the replacement computer has been working fine since.

- Dave




>
> Who to trust?
> Keep in mind, Honda doesn't owe you a free repair on a 1991 vehicle,
> but I guarantee an independent shop won't offer a fix for free! The
> dealer should be aware of the problem, but they will probably charge
> you to check it out even if you mention that you are aware of the
> computer issue. After all, your car is way out of warrantee. This
> leads me to suggest you go to the dealer. If you can spare the car
> for a few days, let their technician start it every morning until the
> S light acts up for him. Then the tech will know from experience if
> it is a common computer problem or something more involved.
>
> Just keep in mind, if someone tells you you need a trans overhaul, get
> a second opinion!

I have a 90 that just gave me the same type of problems. I could be driving
along and all of the sudden the car shifts into 2nd gear, rpm's go up and
the s light comes on. Sometimes it flashed on other times it came on and
stayed on for up to 1/2 hr at a time. The fix for me was a new trans
computer. It had a LED that stayed on all the time and that's what led the
mechanic to it. Just peel up the carpet on the passenger side and see if
that light is comming on.
He got me a computer at the junk yard for 100 bucks, a good deal I guess.

"frankg" <fg11@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:0jdgov08qfm43hbkvi1a8n5jb6aiil7hfh@4ax.com...
> I'm noticing the "S" light indicator going on and off erratically (not
> steadily) at times on my 91 Accord (automatic transmission). Usually
> it will go on in the beginning of a trip and then usually go out and
> stay out for the remainder of a short trip. I did notice it shift
> differently when the light was on as opposed to off today. Also I've
> been noticing a slightly louder engine rpm's than normal for weeks
> thinking it was an exhaust leak till now. Assuming this all is a
> transmission problem, who is best to diagnose this (Honda dealer
> service dept as opposed to others). I'm not sure I can replicate the
> problem ( "S" light indicator) on cue for any shop when needed to.
>
> Any idea what transmission work costs today??
>
> Any ideas how best to approach this? I don't want to ignor it.