'92 Accord: 3,000 rpm at 70 mph...

"jim beam" > wrote in message
...
> On 04/06/2011 07:56 AM, Existential Angst wrote:
>> "jim > wrote in message
>> t...
>>> On 04/05/2011 11:37 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
>>>> "Sanity > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Existential Angst" wrote
>>>>>
>>>>>> Automatic, fwd, .... am I missing a gear, mebbe overdrive?
>>>>>
>>>>> You have a 4-speed, with a lockup torque converter.
>>>>> Are you feeling all the shifts, and the lockup?
>>>>> Is the shifter in position D4?
>>>>
>>>> I believe I feel all the shifts, but not sure what a lockup is.
>>>> Is a lockup the overdrive, a 5th gear?
>>>> Shifter is in D4... leaving it in D3 is quite noticeable, ito engine
>>>> speed.
>>>
>>> 1. do you get four shifts of five? [the fifth shift is the lockup
>>> clutch
>>> freezing the torque converter.]

From 1st gear, I get 4 shifts, which place me in 5th gear.


>>>
>>> 2. in fourth at freeway speed, if you press the throttle a little more,
>>> do
>>> the revs go up immediately or only as speed increases?
>>>
>>> if you're only getting four and the revs increase immediately, the
>>> lockup
>>> clutch is not operating. not uncommon on this age of honda.

In 5th gear, the tranny does not downshift upon pressing the throttle, it
holds the gear.

All of which suggests the tranny is operating as designed, altho I think
this high rpm operation is wasting gas.
CE White's data, calcs also suggest that 3,000 at 70 is as per design.
Altho I think what he and others are referring to as 4th gear is the 4th
shift point into 5th gear, or that lockup point.

Thanks to all for all the useful replies,
--
EA


>>>
>>> wire an l.e.d. into the lockup clutch circuit so you can see if it's
>>> being
>>> activated or not. if not, check the contactor switch on the
>>> transmission
>>> shifter and make sure it's working properly.
>>>
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/38636024@N00/4581625436/
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/38636024@N00/4580950961/
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/38636024@N00/4580950951/
>>>
>>> those pics are for a civic, but the same issue affects the accord and it
>>> uses the same switch.
>>>
>>> if that doesn't fix it,
>
> addendum:
> if that doesn't fix it, and you are getting solenoid activation shown by
> the led, but no lockup, the torque converter needs to be replaced.
>
> you should precede replacement with a transmission pressure test as well -
> if the oil pump is not generating sufficient pressure, you may as well
> replace the whole transmission. jdm replacements are dirt cheap and
> generally very reliable.
>
>
>> the torque converter needs to be replaced.
>>
>> I'm home-bound today, but by tomorrow I'll be able to take the car on the
>> highway, and pay close attention to this, and post back.
>> Oh, I should add, this honda has low miles for its age, about 130K.
>> Great advice, thanks.
>
>
> --
> nomina rutrum rutrum

On 4/5/2011 6:01 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
> Awl --
>
> Automatic, fwd, .... am I missing a gear, mebbe overdrive?
> I thought most cars did 80 mph at 3,000 rpm.
>
> If 70 at 3,000 rpm is normal for this car, can I stick in a taller gear
> somewhere?
>
> Thanks.

You can test to see if the OD is functioning simply by cruising at 70
and flipping that OD button to off - assuming that you have one. You
should feel it bump as it goes to a lower gear. If you feel nothing, you
got a problem.

OTOH, I suspect that the OD button on some cars these days may not
really be an overdrive but a torque converter lock but that's just a
guess. 3K RPM @ 70 seems kind of high but wadda I know about 92 Hondas
or going 70 MPH for that matter. Just get a car with a bigger engine or
you could wear earplugs.

No, you can't stick a taller gear somewhere. My suggestion is you
install oversized tires on the front. Are you running your car with 4
spacesaver spare tires? :-)

"dsi1" > wrote in message
...
> On 4/5/2011 6:01 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
>> Awl --
>>
>> Automatic, fwd, .... am I missing a gear, mebbe overdrive?
>> I thought most cars did 80 mph at 3,000 rpm.
>>
>> If 70 at 3,000 rpm is normal for this car, can I stick in a taller gear
>> somewhere?
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> You can test to see if the OD is functioning simply by cruising at 70 and
> flipping that OD button to off - assuming that you have one. You should
> feel it bump as it goes to a lower gear. If you feel nothing, you got a
> problem.
>
> OTOH, I suspect that the OD button on some cars these days may not really
> be an overdrive but a torque converter lock but that's just a guess. 3K
> RPM @ 70 seems kind of high but wadda I know about 92 Hondas or going 70
> MPH for that matter. Just get a car with a bigger engine or you could wear
> earplugs.
>
> No, you can't stick a taller gear somewhere. My suggestion is you install
> oversized tires on the front. Are you running your car with 4 spacesaver
> spare tires? :-)

In my response to Jim, the tranny seems OK.
But I thought of bigger front tires. I spose, for the sake of handling,
bigger rear tires, as well.
How bad would the handling be if I just got front bigger tires?

The sidewall says 195 60R15, and measure 23" in diam. The linkages around
the tire could poss. clear 26", which would seem to make 3,000 rpm drop to
2650.

Seems do-able? Will I crash into a wall?
--
EA

On 04/08/2011 12:41 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
> "jim > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 04/06/2011 07:56 AM, Existential Angst wrote:
>>> "jim > wrote in message
>>> t...
>>>> On 04/05/2011 11:37 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
>>>>> "Sanity > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Existential Angst" wrote
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Automatic, fwd, .... am I missing a gear, mebbe overdrive?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You have a 4-speed, with a lockup torque converter.
>>>>>> Are you feeling all the shifts, and the lockup?
>>>>>> Is the shifter in position D4?
>>>>>
>>>>> I believe I feel all the shifts, but not sure what a lockup is.
>>>>> Is a lockup the overdrive, a 5th gear?
>>>>> Shifter is in D4... leaving it in D3 is quite noticeable, ito engine
>>>>> speed.
>>>>
>>>> 1. do you get four shifts of five? [the fifth shift is the lockup
>>>> clutch
>>>> freezing the torque converter.]
>
> From 1st gear, I get 4 shifts, which place me in 5th gear.
>
>
>>>>
>>>> 2. in fourth at freeway speed, if you press the throttle a little more,
>>>> do
>>>> the revs go up immediately or only as speed increases?
>>>>
>>>> if you're only getting four and the revs increase immediately, the
>>>> lockup
>>>> clutch is not operating. not uncommon on this age of honda.
>
> In 5th gear, the tranny does not downshift upon pressing the throttle, it
> holds the gear.

perfect, good.

>
> All of which suggests the tranny is operating as designed, altho I think
> this high rpm operation is wasting gas.

unlikely - within limits, efficiency can be much better at higher rpm's.
most manufacturers match efficiency with common cruising speeds.


> CE White's data, calcs also suggest that 3,000 at 70 is as per design.
> Altho I think what he and others are referring to as 4th gear is the 4th
> shift point into 5th gear, or that lockup point.

technically, it's not a 5th gear, just a lockup clutch - it stops
torque converter losses. when engaged, you get direct drive and a fixed
ratio between rpm's and speed.


>
> Thanks to all for all the useful replies,


--
nomina rutrum rutrum

Existential Angst wrote:
> "dsi1" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 4/5/2011 6:01 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
>>> Awl --
>>>
>>> Automatic, fwd, .... am I missing a gear, mebbe overdrive?
>>> I thought most cars did 80 mph at 3,000 rpm.
>>>
>>> If 70 at 3,000 rpm is normal for this car, can I stick in a taller gear
>>> somewhere?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>> You can test to see if the OD is functioning simply by cruising at 70 and
>> flipping that OD button to off - assuming that you have one. You should
>> feel it bump as it goes to a lower gear. If you feel nothing, you got a
>> problem.
>>
>> OTOH, I suspect that the OD button on some cars these days may not really
>> be an overdrive but a torque converter lock but that's just a guess. 3K
>> RPM @ 70 seems kind of high but wadda I know about 92 Hondas or going 70
>> MPH for that matter. Just get a car with a bigger engine or you could wear
>> earplugs.
>>
>> No, you can't stick a taller gear somewhere. My suggestion is you install
>> oversized tires on the front. Are you running your car with 4 spacesaver
>> spare tires? :-)
>
> In my response to Jim, the tranny seems OK.
> But I thought of bigger front tires. I spose, for the sake of handling,
> bigger rear tires, as well.
> How bad would the handling be if I just got front bigger tires?
>
> The sidewall says 195 60R15, and measure 23" in diam. The linkages around
> the tire could poss. clear 26", which would seem to make 3,000 rpm drop to
> 2650.
>
> Seems do-able? Will I crash into a wall?

I've had speedometers change 10% with larger or smaller tires. Good
time to use the GPS for ur correct speed. By the way have you checked
your actual speed with a GPS ? You might not be going 70mph .