2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).

Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.

I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
feet and then into drive and away I go.

I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.

My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
sign of future transmission grief.

Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
drain and fill the transmission fluid [don't flush] with honda fluid.
sounds like a slightly sticky piston in the hydraulics. if the reverse
trick frees it up, i'd leave it at that - will probably last for another
300k miles in this condition. the only "fix" is a rebuild, and it's
probably worth it, given the low level of problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
drain and fill the transmission fluid [don't flush] with honda fluid.
sounds like a slightly sticky piston in the hydraulics. if the reverse
trick frees it up, i'd leave it at that - will probably last for another
300k miles in this condition. the only "fix" is a rebuild, and it's
probably worth it, given the low level of problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
drain and fill the transmission fluid [don't flush] with honda fluid.
sounds like a slightly sticky piston in the hydraulics. if the reverse
trick frees it up, i'd leave it at that - will probably last for another
300k miles in this condition. the only "fix" is a rebuild, and it's
probably worth it, given the low level of problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
drain and fill the transmission fluid [don't flush] with honda fluid.
sounds like a slightly sticky piston in the hydraulics. if the reverse
trick frees it up, i'd leave it at that - will probably last for another
300k miles in this condition. the only "fix" is a rebuild, and it's
probably worth it, given the low level of problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
==================================

Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
made worse when extremely cold.

Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?

'Curly'

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
==================================

Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
made worse when extremely cold.

Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?

'Curly'

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
==================================

Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
made worse when extremely cold.

Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?

'Curly'

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

seagar wrote:
> I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> sign of future transmission grief.
>
> Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
==================================

Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
made worse when extremely cold.

Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?

'Curly'

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

On Feb 5, 1:12 pm, motsco_ <mots...@interbaun.com> wrote:
> seagar wrote:
> > I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> > strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> > EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> > Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> > does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> > if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> > occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> > morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> > contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> > solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> > remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> > I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> > not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> > feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> > I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> > is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> > lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> > exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> > about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> > My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> > repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> > sign of future transmission grief.
>
> > Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
> ==================================
>
> Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
> made worse when extremely cold.
>
> Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?
>
> 'Curly'- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

"troubles getting key out or getting it to go into PARK?" --------Nope

Car runs great despite this one infrequent problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

On Feb 5, 1:12 pm, motsco_ <mots...@interbaun.com> wrote:
> seagar wrote:
> > I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> > strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> > EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> > Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> > does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> > if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> > occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> > morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> > contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> > solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> > remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> > I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> > not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> > feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> > I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> > is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> > lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> > exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> > about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> > My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> > repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> > sign of future transmission grief.
>
> > Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
> ==================================
>
> Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
> made worse when extremely cold.
>
> Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?
>
> 'Curly'- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

"troubles getting key out or getting it to go into PARK?" --------Nope

Car runs great despite this one infrequent problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

On Feb 5, 1:12 pm, motsco_ <mots...@interbaun.com> wrote:
> seagar wrote:
> > I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> > strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> > EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> > Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> > does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> > if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> > occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> > morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> > contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> > solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> > remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> > I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> > not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> > feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> > I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> > is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> > lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> > exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> > about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> > My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> > repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> > sign of future transmission grief.
>
> > Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
> ==================================
>
> Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
> made worse when extremely cold.
>
> Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?
>
> 'Curly'- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

"troubles getting key out or getting it to go into PARK?" --------Nope

Car runs great despite this one infrequent problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

On Feb 5, 1:12 pm, motsco_ <mots...@interbaun.com> wrote:
> seagar wrote:
> > I lease a 2004 Civic EX. Ever since the car was new there is this
> > strange problem that only happens when the car sits overnight in the
> > EXTREME cold weather, (a few days per year).
>
> > Car starts fine. Shift into Drive and the car just sits there, i.e.
> > does not propel forward. If you press on the gas the engine revs up as
> > if its in neutral. I have had the car back to the dealer on several
> > occasions and they finally experienced the same problem one cold
> > morning. They flashed the computer with an updated software and then
> > contacted the honda engineers who advised them to replace the
> > solenoids on the transmission, (whatever they are). The problem still
> > remains. The dealer states that this is a very unusual problem.
>
> > I have found an interesting "work-around" fix, in that if the car does
> > not initially engage into Drive I shift into reverse and back up a few
> > feet and then into drive and away I go.
>
> > I guess the reason that I'm looking for information with this problem
> > is that I'm thinking about purchasing this car at the end of the
> > lease, (6 months), as it really has been a fine vehicle with the only
> > exception being this very rare cold starting phenomenon. The car has
> > about 38,000 miles and has driven very well to date.
>
> > My wife feels that we shouldn't buy this vehicle as we do not need to
> > repair/replace a transmission and this cold weather problem could be a
> > sign of future transmission grief.
>
> > Any suggestions, similar complaints, or comments would be welcomed.
>
> ==================================
>
> Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end, and
> made worse when extremely cold.
>
> Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?
>
> 'Curly'- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

"troubles getting key out or getting it to go into PARK?" --------Nope

Car runs great despite this one infrequent problem.

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

"seagar" <ncartegna@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1170703891.666088.179990@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

> On Feb 5, 1:12 pm, motsco_ <mots...@interbaun.com> wrote:

>>
>> Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end,
>> and made worse when extremely cold.
>>
>> Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?
>>
>>
>
>
> Nope
>
> Car runs great despite this one infrequent problem.
>


Right now I think it's either thick fluid resulting in slow movement inside
the valve body, or the cable's slightly out of adjustment.

But...
When the vehicle refuses to move, does the "D" light blink?

--
Tegger

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

Re: 2004 Civic Cold Weather Problem
 

"seagar" <ncartegna@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1170703891.666088.179990@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

> On Feb 5, 1:12 pm, motsco_ <mots...@interbaun.com> wrote:

>>
>> Like Jim says, or the shifter cable is dragging at the tranny end,
>> and made worse when extremely cold.
>>
>> Ever have troubles getting the key out or getting it to go into PARK?
>>
>>
>
>
> Nope
>
> Car runs great despite this one infrequent problem.
>


Right now I think it's either thick fluid resulting in slow movement inside
the valve body, or the cable's slightly out of adjustment.

But...
When the vehicle refuses to move, does the "D" light blink?

--
Tegger

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