'04 Honda Pilot - Calling Autobroker, Calling Autobroker

If you take it to a dealer, and you probably should, they are not going to simply do something you insist they do without first diagnosing and confirming the problem.

I would just take it in and ask for an estimate.

I think some dealerships are now charging for an estimate, and waiving the charge if they do the work.

Still worth the $25 bucks or whatever. I've had dealerships diagnose a problem, give me an estimate, and done the work myself.

Every shop does that.

I didn't know that. I've had very few dealings with dealerships. Mostly to purchase outrageously expensive parts that I can't get anywhere else.

I'm not sure I agree about the dealership route in this case. Normally, I'd agree, but this is a common Honda transmission problem and the dealers almost always recommend they replace the transmission. My guess is $3K plus.

He may be able to fix the 3rd or 4th gear pressure switch and do a tranny fluid change (with filter) and I doubt the dealer will do this.

Have you had the transmission fluid changed? That's the first thing I would do.....What is your recommended maintenance schedule(should be listed in the owner's manual) on the drive train??

I think she told me that she has had the fluid flushed, but I'll double check. I'm also recalling that the dealer told her 'transmission . . . $4,000, blah, blah, blah', but I'll double check that too. Thanks to all. I'd like to hear of any actual experience with a similar Honda or Acura vehicle.

Solar Eagle is right.Make sure the ATF fluid has been changed and is the proper type for Honda.It has a different friction coefficient than typical.

Dextron III can be used if the proper type and quantity of friction modifier is added,but better to use the Honda fluid,or Honda rated fluid.

I have first hand experience with shuddering at around 40-45 MPH when wrong type fluid was used.This is the speed where the torque converter normally locks up.Not noticeable under acceleration or under load, only at a steady speed.

I had changed the fluid and used Dextron III, which the manual said was ok in an emergency.Adding a friction modifier solved the problem.Can't recall the brand right now though. Check with local auto parts store.

This may sound too simple but I have cured many slipping and shuddering automatic transmissions with a good additive. The valves and other parts can be covered with varnish causing this. Also the lockup clutch in the torque converter can cause this type of condition and in the past we checked it by moving the brake pedal just enough to make the electrical connection and if the shuddering goes away it is the lockup clutch. What you are doing is unlocking the clutch same as braking. This is not to say it needs replacing but something may be causing it to lock and unlock as I had on a 3/4 ton truck when the signal lights were flashing due to an improper trailer wiring harness hook up.

Thinking outside the box here...

Broken engine mounts can cause shuddering too under what seem like unlikely conditions for the problem to manifest. Ditto for universal/CV joints in the drive train.

Easy to check and fix.

I agree....check gearbox mountings too!

That Honda has an east west engine so all one and the same. On mine the gear box mounting is referred to as the rear engine mount. Makes sense.

But yeh, I had a shuddering scenario that manifested at different speeds and got worse over time. Turned out all my engine mounts were broken. The mount design prevents disassociation even if the rubber is broken through. The steel caps keep the mess cradled together. Lucky.

You've certainly gotten some good replies here but more info may be enlightening. Just as an aside, if you need to shift it from 2wd to a different mode then it is almost certainly 4wd as AWD usually is always in effect and no shifting is necessary. If indeed it is 4WD then can you tell us if it shudders in both 2WD and 4WD or just one or the other? Often these issues surface in the front drive components of 4WD cars and be narrowed down by this simple test. It would also be nice if you could better illustrate the "shudder" for us. Sometimes the answer is just too simple. An unbalanced tire or wheel will also do what you describe. I've even seen loose body parts like a lower spoiler that flaps at only a certain speed do strange things. If you have access to a trustworthy mechanic a short test drive would be a great start.

The Nissan Pathfinder had issues with the trans cooler. My daughter and son-in-law lost their 2004 Pathfinder to the problem. Trans gave out due to the coolant leaking into the trans and Nissan wouldn't do anything except offer to replace at over $4000. They sold it to a auto-body shop since the body was fine as well as the rest of the car.

UPDATE

When I called her, she was on her way from dropping it off at a different Honda dealer. Based on info she passed on from you guys, the dealer told her he would check what the previous dealer did (a few months ago) and contact Honda's service department (or whatever it's called). She mentioned the software, and he was open to look into it.

It was recalled within the first year and had the cooler modification done. The first dealer did something with the motor mounts, so at least they have been considered. The dealer flushed the transmission, so presumably they knew to use Honda ATF. We'll see what happens now.

Bigg, It seems like she has had quite a bit of work done so far. After hearing this, I think it's the pressure switch. I have a feeling the Honda dealers won't change just the switch. Instead I think they'll say the entire tranny needs a rebuild. She may get lucky, but knowing how service departments work, they'll most likely recommend a rebuild.

She should try a good transmission shop. I'd keep away from Aamco or any of the big guys. Maybe a local shop that comes with strong recommendations from friends. A good transmission shop will test the pressure switches and change them vs a complete rebuild.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

I've done some looking around, and the switch change-out looks doable, although I don't have any way to test them. I think the total for 2 is about $100, plus labor. Depending on what the dealer says and does, I may see if my nephew is available to help. Unfortunately, we three all live in different towns, all 1 - 2 hours apart. What I'm hearing/reading is that the problem is torque converter related, not transmission; but the by-product can affect the transmission. Does this sound about right?

She's in the process of moving up to Pittsburgh, and a 9 year old 4WD Pilot seems to me like a better vehicle for winter driving than getting a brand-new Nissan Altima bumped around.

Bigg I had a 2003 Pilot with the "shudder" issue also. This would happen around 30mph and would seem like a shock or strut problem. Like the car hit a bump and would keep vibrating. I had the trans fluid changed at Honda dealer. Eventually the transmission slipped and I decided to get a newer model. See Pilot owners site- seems engine too much for the transmission. Loved the car otherwise

UPDATE 2

Sister said Honda dealer could only update software on 05's and up. They couldn't find anything wrong. I recommended she try LUBEGARD PLATINUM® Universal ATF Protectant, or LUBEGARD® Automatic Transmission Fluid Protectant. It's inexpensive, some swear by it, and it seems to have low probability of causing more damage. We'll see.

It's worth a try. You never know, but it may be able to do something. Maybe loosen something that's sticking.

The question about it being a torque converter - it's possible, but unlikely. Typically a torque converter doesn't go out very often. It could be the lock up feature on the torque converter, but I don't think so. You would also get a check engine light.

Keep us posted; I'm curious to know what it is and how it was fixed.