97Honda Civic problems (transmission??)

My car (Honda Civic 97 EX) has a mileage of 92000 miles.
Yesterday, while I was driving, it suddenly jerked and would not move
forward(as if it was in neutral), but it goes fine in reverse. The
local auto mechanic says it is a transmission failure and he will
charge $2500 for the replacement. He then suggested I could simply pay
him 500 bucks and leave the car behind.

Has anybody seen a similar problem? The reason for my concern is: can
it be a transmission failure if the car is moving fine in reverse? Any
information related to this is welcome.

Thanks
SM

wrote in news:1168634007.822085.257720
@q2g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> My car (Honda Civic 97 EX) has a mileage of 92000 miles.
> Yesterday, while I was driving, it suddenly jerked and would not move
> forward(as if it was in neutral), but it goes fine in reverse. The
> local auto mechanic says it is a transmission failure and he will
> charge $2500 for the replacement. He then suggested I could simply pay
> him 500 bucks and leave the car behind.



This thing has got to be a total wreck or have tons of rust for your
mechanic to suggest giving it up for the princely sum of five hundred
dollars. Or he smells a sucker somewhere...


>
> Has anybody seen a similar problem? The reason for my concern is: can
> it be a transmission failure if the car is moving fine in reverse? Any
> information related to this is welcome.
>


It is entirely possible for your symptoms to occur.

What I would suggest is to attempt to place the lever in Low (1) and see if
it proceeds. Does it do so in 2? If it moves in no gear except reverse,
then you should proceed to a Honda dealer, who will be better equipped to
diagnose this issue than an independent monkey who wants to buy your car
cheaply.

Have you checked the fluid level? Does the idle drop when you place lever
in Drive?

How often have you had the fluid changed over the years?

Has anybody checked the shift cable adjustment?


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

wrote:
> My car (Honda Civic 97 EX) has a mileage of 92000 miles.
> Yesterday, while I was driving, it suddenly jerked and would not move
> forward(as if it was in neutral), but it goes fine in reverse. The
> local auto mechanic says it is a transmission failure and he will
> charge $2500 for the replacement. He then suggested I could simply pay
> him 500 bucks and leave the car behind.
>
> Has anybody seen a similar problem? The reason for my concern is: can
> it be a transmission failure if the car is moving fine in reverse? Any
> information related to this is welcome.
>
> Thanks
> SM
>

1. you should have some diagnostic codes on the ecu. please extract
them and report back
2. speculating wildly, it could be a solenoid.
3. regardless of the above, stay as far away from this "mechanic" as
possible. find a reputable independent honda specialist.
4. even if you have to replace the transmission, you can buy used ones
for $500
http://www.asapmotors.com/used-trans...c-249_262.html

On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:16:22 +0000, Tegger wrote:

> wrote in news:1168634007.822085.257720
> @q2g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>
>> My car (Honda Civic 97 EX) has a mileage of 92000 miles.
>> Yesterday, while I was driving, it suddenly jerked and would not move
>> forward(as if it was in neutral), but it goes fine in reverse. The
>> local auto mechanic says it is a transmission failure and he will
>> charge $2500 for the replacement. He then suggested I could simply pay
>> him 500 bucks and leave the car behind.
>
>
>
> This thing has got to be a total wreck or have tons of rust for your
> mechanic to suggest giving it up for the princely sum of five hundred
> dollars. Or he smells a sucker somewhere...

Even worse, the mechanic wants to be PAID $500 to take the car...

I can't imagine that he has done $500 worth of work on it, so this guy
definitely sounds like a crook...

Joe LaVigne > wrote in news:eo9ke0$k16$6
@news.datemas.de:

> On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:16:22 +0000, Tegger wrote:
>
>> wrote in news:1168634007.822085.257720
>> @q2g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>>
>>> My car (Honda Civic 97 EX) has a mileage of 92000 miles.
>>> Yesterday, while I was driving, it suddenly jerked and would not move
>>> forward(as if it was in neutral), but it goes fine in reverse. The
>>> local auto mechanic says it is a transmission failure and he will
>>> charge $2500 for the replacement. He then suggested I could simply pay
>>> him 500 bucks and leave the car behind.
>>
>>
>>
>> This thing has got to be a total wreck or have tons of rust for your
>> mechanic to suggest giving it up for the princely sum of five hundred
>> dollars. Or he smells a sucker somewhere...
>
> Even worse, the mechanic wants to be PAID $500 to take the car...
>
> I can't imagine that he has done $500 worth of work on it, so this guy
> definitely sounds like a crook...
>



Eh, I missed that. The monkey wants the owner to pay HIM to take the car.

Actually, considering this matter more carefully, the monkey's offer now
sounds more like a joke. I wonder if the OP has missed a subtlety
somewhere...

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/