S switch is stuck ON...only have 1st and 2nd

Hi!
I'm new here, so please be patient with me. I'm also new to Forums in general, so I have much to learn.

I have been helping my Mother-in-law get a few things squared away with her 90 Accord. She's almost 85 and needs a little help occasionally.

I took her car for a lube and oil job at our local Texaco XPress lube and when I got the car back, the S light on the instrument panel was on. I had NOT seen this before and to be honest, didn't even know what it was. Our 88 Accord doesn't have this feature.

I went back inside and reported my findings. The crew did everything I could ask to try and locate the reason, but no luck. I decided to take it to my mechanic. As I drove away, I realized I was starting out in 2nd gear even though I was in D4. I had to hold my speed down to keep the RPMs low as I limped to my mechanic's shop. I discovered along the way that I could shift to L and start out okay, but the rest of the gear selections are all 2nd gear.

My mechanic spent about 2 hours trying to isolate the problem, but no luck. He has set me up with a transmission specialist for next week, so I will eventually get to the bottom of this. I was wondering, in the meantime, if anyone here had any idea what has happened.

I should add that this car has had a history of shifter problems. It has been hung up in Park several times for me, but I have always managed to jiggle the lever just right and it would come on out. I suspect the kid at the lube place had the same problem and I'm guessing he accidentally hit the S button on the shifter. There have also been several occasions when it was difficult to get the key out of the ignition.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Steve

[ebpda9]

the button on the shifter remains sticky. i'm not sure but on 90-91 models the tranny diagnostic codes are trown thru the s light, not the d4 like in the 92-93 models. since you have a 90 they have a diffrerent computer for engine and tranny so you can't do the paper clip trick and have the tranny spit out the error code. My car starts out in seconds too sometimes and it really blows. when was the last time you changed the tranny oil ?

Originally posted by hondaman-iac
when was the last time you changed the tranny oil ?

Hi!

Thanks for your response. Not sure when the last change was done...maybe never. Car has only 33k miles. Mom-in-law not sure about any items that have been done. I'm starting from scratch I guess.

At the XPress lube, they won't hesitate to bring out a dipstick with dirty fluid if that's the case...looking for more work that they can do while you're in the bay. As far as I know, the fluid must have looked okay...to him anyway. I'll check it myself ASAP.

The switch itself is clicking, but obviously has no effect.

Thanks again...
Steve

[blind34_1]

did you actually watch him check your trans fluid? sometimes they don't or just forget, or if they're new they will definatly forget. I used to work at one.

Sounds to me that it might be time to put that old 88 down. the price of a new trans or repair of the old one will probably meet the price of the car. If your not attached to it, then I'd say move her up in the world witha newer accord.

[ebpda9]

well the apx4 are known for that kind of problems, sticking and stuff. i took once my dipstick out and the fluid looked clean as new but when i let it out it was dark black. change the tranny oil.