Expert: Jeb S. Orr - 12/10/2002

Question
We have a problem with the auto box not going into 4th gear, sometimes it will but then in others it won't.  We are in the UK and are having difficulty in getting Honda to help us out.  Presently the AC is playing up but this should not have a connection with the box.  Also the dash/clocks have been changed to ones of a UK spec from a Prelude, and the overdrive has never worked since the change of the clocks, but we drove the car around without a problem with the change for over a year.  The car is a 1989/1990 2.0 litre V6 turbo exec 4 door saloon/sedan - believed to be a Japanese import.

Answer
I would recommend that you make a very careful check over the engine bay for any sign of a vacuum leak. Leaks such as these that don't provide proper manifold pressure to the engine often confuse the transmission/transmission controller into believing that the engine is at higher than normal load, and it will not shift into the final overdrive gear.

Best regards,

--jeb