1st/ 2nd gen Honda Pilot transmission acting up or flashing "D"? Try these fixes first!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2024
- Troubled by transmission issues or unusual shifting in your first or second generation Honda Pilot? Watch this video for a potential remedy to ease your concerns about the flashing 'D' symptom."
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Thanks so much, I now know what I have to do. On the highway I don't have a flashing drive light but driving around town in stop and go traffic I get the flashing drive light.
Thanks for the vid! What’s the oem part number for those pressure switches and are they the same? Or is there two different ones? I have a 2013 pilot.
good info, alot info i didn't know just started ownership of my pilot and its a little intimidating compared to working on gm / American vehicles.
This cat is dope
You never mentioned the dual shift solenoids themselves which is a big failure component of these vehicles. Each situation will be unique in every situation so be sure to get the correct diagnosistic code first and then go from there.
You also didn't tell people that you shut off the engine and wait 60 sec but no longer than 90 sec. Otherwise false reading.
@Aleksandr Usovich Hello Aleksandr - thanks for putting together informative video. I have 2015 AWD pilot with ~116k miles. I towed ~5 ton trailer for about 90 minute trip with occasional hills. Ever since that trip, the transmission slips and I can't help but blaming my idiot self for possibly over loading the pilot. Either way, I need to do something about it. Would you say your recommended solution apply to 3rd generation pilot? Much appreciated!
Hey Andriy- towing 5 tons or 10k lbs any distance is really bad for the Pilot since it's nearly double the towing capacity for the Pilot (max 4500 lbs tow capacity). If you're really really lucky you may have just overworked the fluid and it needs an ASAP replacement. Best to go with Amsoil or Maxlife ATF fluid; you'll definitely need to do at least 3 drain and fills and monitor the fluid that comes out of the transmission- may see some metal flakes or clutch pack material which is not good. If that doesn't fix it, then you may have burnt or severely wore out the clutch pack in the transmission and will either need to get it rebuilt or replace it with a used one. You can try to add a bottle of Lucas Transmission fix when doing the fluid drain and fills and hope for the best. Also inspect the frame since the Pilot is a unibody and towing over, if not double the towing capacity, can crack, bend, or severely weaken and damage the frame.
@@AleksUsovich thank you for quick and thorough insights! I misspoke on the “5k ton”…I meant to say “5k lbs”. Fingers crossed, the lesson learned is going to be reasonably priced (new fluid, install thermometer to monitor transmission and possibly upgraded cooling system) and not the expensive one.
@@andriynagay7842 5k lbs isn't too bad but may have definitely cooked your fluid. Tranny should be hopefully fine after a fluid flush. Definitely get a better tranny cooler. I've got a 10k lb tranny cooler that I installed that keeps the tranny nice and cool for towing- even had an install video for it. It's super easy to install and no more than $50 for the kit and will protect the transmission for the future.
I’ve got p0842 on 2011 Pilot. Is the sensor A going to be at the same location that you’ve shown in this video?
No. The sensor you're looking for is on the top back of the transmission near the firewall. It should be a blue colored plug on the 11 Pilots.
Question about the fluid. Honda recommends their transmission fluid so would the valvoline potentially cause damage. I have an 06 pilot with 160,000 miles and would like to keep it for a couple more years.
Valvoline would not cause any issues and is actually preferred since it is synthetic verses non synthetic Honda fluid. There's people over on the Piloteers forum who have logged over 100K on the fluid with no issues. I use it myself and it shifts much smoother than Honda fluid and is a must have for any kind of towing
@@AleksUsovich Thanks for your reply. I will try it and also replace the pressure switches.
I did a transmission fluid change on short notice at Valvoline and two weeks later after road trip I started having transmission issues.
Not saying valvoline was the culprit but I wouldn’t trust it again from personal experience
I just did 1000 miles road trip driving twenty hours with no transmission problems. Valvoline working just fine for me.
@@daxc1972 mine was about 950 miles thankfully made it home but about two days later. 💩 . Planning on fixing it tho. Haven’t had time this summer
on the 2003 pilot, 120k miles I was going to change the transmission filter, what is your opinion on that? is it necessary, thank you for the post
I'd definitely change the transmission filter to keep the transmission going strong. If you search on my channel, I even have a video of how to do it yourself!
i am bit confused....so .the transmission pressure sensor.....there is two of them or is it just one(the one you mention with cover on is that second sensor?)
There's two pressure sensors; one for 3rd gear and one for 4th. One is under the cover and another is visible plainly
How’s the transmission doing today?
My 2005 Pilot runs great, no tranny problems. I do however have the flashing “D” problem ever since i had my transmission fluid changed at Jiffy Lube. Do u still recommend the tranny fluid change??? Or just the sensor change?
I'm guessing the tranny fluid change at Jiffy Lube and flashing D problems are absolutely related. Honda transmissions need pretty specific fluid and just the right amount. Jiffy Lube Joe could have put in whatever ATF or gear oil they had and could be too little or too much.
Here's what you do: buy 4 gallons of Valvoline MaxLife ATF. Drain your existing tranny fluid and fill with MaxLife ATF- shift through gears from park to 1 a few times with brakes held. Take car off of jack stands and check fluid when tranny is warm and on level surface. Take the Pilot out for about a 5-10 mile drive reaching over 50mph for the torque converter to lock up and release more fluid. Come back to garage and drain and refill. Do 3 total times. Each drain time only gets about 1/3 of the total fluid out which is why you need to do it 3 times. When all done, make sure fluid is between both dots on dipstick when tranny is hot. That should fix the problem but if it doesn't then replace 3rd and 4th sensors only using OEM sensors and your transmission should be pretty bullet proof for a while.
Also make sure that the VTM (rear diff) fluid has been changed every 15K miles or you'll burn out those rear clutches. It takes 10 minutes to do using ONLY Honda VTM-4 fluid. Any other fluid and you'll mess up those clutches
Hi, did you fix the problem? My transmission has the flashing drive light too. I'm going to change the pressure sensors to see if that works
Did that work?@@adamb84
Did that after with mine also had to replace the shift solenoid and now it wont shift at all still wants too but won’t any suggestions?
I have a 2007 Honda Pilot w Nav, just found out I have a transmission fluid leak- I bought it used with 263k miles and need it to last. Is this something I can fix myself?
The first order of business is finding out exactly what is leaking. Could be a loose bolt, crack in a rubber hose or a few other possibilities.
so i have a 2003 honda pilot, it has 195,000 miles and has never been changed. I was driving like normal and then the flashing “d” light came on. The change of gears did not feel like how it used to. When i got home the light stopped flashing. but i went on a drive and was going down hill and i heard a sound, kinda like a screeching sound. what should i do?
Change out pressure sensors and inspect fluid. If dirty and no red- change out fluid 3 times.
Hello, I have an 03 pilot, it likes to go into neural when turning left or right and it also sometimes does this when going from a complete stop to moving. If I drive for more then 1h trans over heats as well. Would this be something that I could do that fix that?
that usually means that your low on fluid an what is happening is that the pickup that pulls the fluid into the front pump and then into the converter is sucking in air because there's no fluid left for it to suck up which is what causes it to go to neutral as u say an actually it's not actually going to neutral it's just slipping and then when it sucks up fluid again when your going straight again it's putting pressure on the clutches again
@@zacharycofer3791 thank you for your response Zack! Appreciate your info greatly.
Did you fix the over heating issues? I have the same problem.
@@zacharycofer3791 thanks for this info, I have the same issue on the sam 03 pilot, I have changed the transmission fluid and also the filter, how solve this low fluid supply issue because I have excess fluid inside the gear
@@teetopmix6530 gotta drain it . I’m having same issue
Just bought a 2011 pilot and maintenance light came up oils change and transmission oils change light I did not use Honda oils at all. They used valvoline synthetic multi vehicle atf maxlife. I’m good?
Yes everything is fine. When light comes on is when Pilot is due for another oil change
@@AleksUsovich I see lots of people saying use Honda transmission fluid only. They’re really dedicated to the Honda oils. I guess if all is well why pay more at the dealerships.
@@americantopgunner5102 Honda transmission fluid is fine to use too- only if you want to replace it every 30K as the manual suggests as it is a conventional oil. Valvoline Max Life is a synthetic that can withstand higher replacement intervals and cleans the transmission as well. I've noticed a big difference in using it personally, although I change it out every 20-25K or just about every year since my Pilot has 260K on it and I'd like it to keep going for years to come. Check out the multiple threads on Piloteers.com for more information.
2005 seems as if it’s stuck in one gear. It doesn’t shift. I think mine is gremlins or just something terrible.
Could be dirty pressure switches or also could be end of life of the transmission. 2005's were well known for strawberry milkshake of death where tranny fluid mixes with coolant and caused very many transmission deaths.
Hi good video
Do you know why i cant get to 2nd and 1st gear with the gear lever it runs on D
You've most likely have binding or stretched shifter cables. May also be something with the actual shifter getting stuck that is on the transmission. My bet is on binding cables though
@@AleksUsovich thanks
I have a 2005 Honda Pilot transmission fluid overheating and my Honda stops running I have to wait until the fluid cool down do you think is the sensors too tank you so much I hope someone answer me thank you in advance
If the fluid overheated once, it needs to be changed out as soon as possible! Driving the Pilot with overheated fluid will lead to the transmission completely breaking very fast. The old fluid needs to be changed out 3 times and replaced with new fluid
I have a 2003 Pilot with with 190,000 miles. The transmission fluid has never been changed or flushed. The transmission slips but once I let off the gas if generally gets into gear.
I have been told that if you go that long without changing/flushing the ATF you should not do so, as the particles in the ATF actually helps the transmission grab.
Do you agree? Should I change/flush the ATF in hopes it will fix the slippage or will that make the issue worse ?
In your case, I would not flush or change the fluid at all unless it looks burnt or black on the dipstick. Those metal particles are most likely what are holding your transmission together and you'll most likely need a new transmission or repair if you change out that ATF.
@@AleksUsovich Thanks! The fluid is not black or relatively burned…just darker than one would expect.
And it is leaking fluid when the dip stick registers the ATF as low. So I have just been adding ATF when it is low and was about to add Bluedevil transmission sealer to help stop the leak.
In your opinion, with the transmission slipping around 25 mph and getting into the right gear only after I take my foot off the gas as well as a flashing D once in while, do you think changing the pressure switches would alleviate the problem? Or in your opinion, is there more/something worse going on?
I have put the Pilot into 2 and driven under 25 once in awhile and it drives with no issue.
I can also say it throws a P0730/Incorrect Gear Ratio code.
@@IAmBobbyFett I've had good luck with Lucas ATF stopleak for stopping leaks. Changing the pressure sensors could possibly help fix the issue. The gear solenoid screens could have some debris on them also causing issues. The transmission may also be on its last leg and anything done to help it may not do anything. Really hard to say
Not true, change your darn fluid
Will bad ignition coils cause D light to be blinking?
No. You'd have a misfire instead
Where did you buy your transmission cooler?
I got the cooler from Rock Auto
Do both switches have the same parts number
No. The parts numbers are different
what if the torque converter circuit is open?
Then you fix the circuit and see if the problem is fixed
For some reason honda says that their branded fluid will shift smoother than the non branded fluid.
For the same reason that Apple says their iPhone 15 works smoother than their iPhone 8
@@AleksUsovich at $12 a quart too. I have a 2004 on it’s 3rd transmission. It shifts a little hard through all the gears. Not horrible, but not smooth either. I figure it’s worth doing the fluid change 3x to see if it feels any better. Any opinions?
I'd do the 3x drain and fill and see what happens. If you see tons of metal in the drained fluid, then you'll know the transmission might be on the way out. Can't really go wrong with Honda genuine atf or Maxlife atf.
So I just recently bought an 03 pilot and it has the flashing D and is throwing up these codes
P0748 pressure control solenoid
P0135 02 heater circuit bank 1 sensor 1
P0141 heater circuit bank 1 Sensor 2
The P0748 is stored. I can manually shift through the lower 3 gears but there's nothing when I put it into D. The guy I bought it from has been no help at all, wondering if you had an idea of what's going on?
P0748 is most likely one of the following: Dirty transmission fluid
Low transmission fluid level
Faulty line pressure solenoid valve 'A
Line pressure solenoid valve 'A' harness is open or shorted
Line pressure solenoid valve 'A' circuit poor electrical connection
@@AleksUsovich thank you! I'll give it a shot.
Should check transmission fluid while hot, and with the engine running at idle in park that way the fluid is pumping level is accurate. When you shut it down the pump stops and some fluid drains back into the pan so it will raise the level you won't get an accurate reading.
The correct way to check the fluid per Honda for the vehicle to have warmed up to operating temp until the fans cycle twice or by driving around. Then pull into a flat spot and shut off vehicle. Check fluid level within 30- 60 seconds of shutting off vehicle for the correct fluod level. This is the method Honda recommends for checking the atf
25-35 shifts terrible, once I get going it goes all the way to 55? I think it struggled a bit there. Didn’t happen the whole 2 hours I drove. It was an amazing ride I had a lot of fun. I bought it for 6 yesterday trans fluid is black. I’ll fix for about how much?
If transmission fluid is black, you may have some issues.. it turns black after atf becomes overheated. Driving like this will wear down that bearings and gears. If you change out the fluid the transmission can start slipping since the material holding it together is no longer there.
No need to replace tranny fluid filter?
The Pilots only had servicable filters from 2003-2007 and internal onces after 2007 that can only be changed with the transmission taken apart off of the vehicle. Would recommend a filter change if your Pilot has one but I haven't noticed any noticible changes from when I changed mine at 250k miles.
$20 switches on ebay. Genuine honda
You're getting scammed if you think you're getting "genuine" pressure switches for $20 on eBay..
@@AleksUsovich yeah I put them in my car and the problems went away they were actual genuine Honda! I shit you not
@@jamesguralski5156 lmao you bought a fake switch it will work for a short while then it will go bad. What a fool.
Never used any other transmission fluid on a Honda than Honda transmission fluid.
You're missing out; there are some good synthetic atfs out there that make the transmission perform much better than Honda fluid. Can't beat Amsoil atf for towing.
@@AleksUsovich I don’t have any problems with my transmission. I was viewing this video for common problems with oil burning in a Honda pilot. I had a Honda accord which I had transmission problems with. V6 2001 Honda accord. I only used Honda transmission fluid I flushed it three times drove a couple hundred miles and then flushed it periodically like once every other year. Near the end my problems did get worse as you would figure. Basically it was on cold start and in the winter it didn’t want to come out of first gear until the car warmed up. After that it drove fine lol. I only used genuine Honda transmission fluid you can’t go wrong there.
Maybe as a last ditch effort if nothing else worked and I was having transmission problems. I might try something like that. Otherwise I would just stick with genuine Honda.
i’d like to say I’m not a professional in anyway. I’m a TH-cam fern mechanic I started about eight years ago. The furthest I’ve ever gone is doing Prestand front wheel bearings on my 2001 Honda Accord I also change the struts but that’s a freaking simple task. I did a lot of other maintenance stuff but basically just letting you know I am not a professional in anyway by any means. I just figured you can’t go wrong with Honda fluid and I did a considerable amount of research over the eight years I had that car. Just saying
Never explain where the filling plug is
You use the atf dipstick hole to fill the tranny fluid
Fill plug is on top of transmission in the rear. Look behind the air intake snorkel. There should be a large bolt that says atf on it. It is 17mm
Not using genuine Honda transmission is a huge mistake!
Valvoline MaxLife is a great alternative since it's a synthetic fluid which lasts longer. I've had crisper shifts and more peace of mind when towing with it vs the genuine Honda fluid which is thin and breaks down pretty early
Good info. BUT honda require Honda only oil!! Do NOT use off brand oil!!!