91 Accord auto shifting problem

I went to look at a 91 accord with an automatic. It only had 113,000 miles. It seem to take off in second gear in the lower shift positions and possibly third gear in drive. The owner said it would not shift into overdrive at all. He changed trannys about 9 months ago , and now the used replacement is doing the same thing. Could this be a TCM problem , Shifter cable problem, or his dumb luck. He is selling the car for 800 bucks. Is it any easy fix or am I asking for trouble.

Well, first, I can't imagine it's the shifter cable.

After that, I don't entirely understand all of your post (there IS no "overdrive" so I assume you mean 4th)

But, an '91 isn't worth a whole lot more than 800 bucks with a GOOD transmission. So - no - don't touch it. There are plenty more good used Accords out there.

Here in Omaha Accords start at 1500 and go up. My son has limited funds to buy the car. If anyone has had shifting problems with this vintage of car, what did you do to solve the problem.
Also under options at Autotrader the tranny is listed as an 4 speed Automatic OD
Whither it is an over-drive in a true sense I don't knew.

Here in Omaha Accords start at 1500 and go up. My son has limited funds to buy the car. If anyone has had shifting problems with this vintage of car, what did you do to solve the problem.
Also under options at Autotrader the tranny is listed as an 4 speed Automatic OD
Whither it is an over-drive in a true sense I don't knew.


Hi i have a 96 accord that seems to be doing a similar thing. I have read up on other forums about the issue, basically it seems to me that the transmission is slipping, or the torque converter is slipping, but what i have found out and may help you is that shift solenoid is more or less "burnt out" the part itself will cost about $120, i have no idea what instalation would be though, because i would be installing it myself.
Hope this helps good luck.

Here in Omaha Accords start at 1500 and go up. My son has limited funds to buy the car. If anyone has had shifting problems with this vintage of car, what did you do to solve the problem.
Also under options at Autotrader the tranny is listed as an 4 speed Automatic OD
Whither it is an over-drive in a true sense I don't knew.


honestly if you're going to go for that era (90-93) Accord-- DONT BUY AN AUTOMATIC - - I couldn't tell you how to correct the problem -- but i could tell you it isn't worth the investment, in my opinion, anyway



they go for about the same price, if not higher where im from back east (Philadelphia area) and as for labor (96 accord mentioned a part you might need) -- the LOW end of things sets you back about $70 an hour by a trained Honda tech at a dealership