Problem shifting from 1st to 2nd Gear

[yellow smart]

Last Friday was driving to work in stop-n-go traffic (mostly stopped). Car was in D, and I was NOT using the paddles. Have an 08 Passion with the upgrading 09 tranny program package. 5600 miles.

Ok, here was problem. About 12 straight times everytime I started from a complete stop and got enough speed built up to enable the car to shift into 2nd gear, the engine would rev to between 4k and 5k RPMs and then shift. Normally a shift occurs around 3k to 4k (depending on how hard I'm gettting it gas. Several times it hit 5k prior to the shift.

It seemed like it just didn't want to shift.

So, how did I get the car to stop doing this. I put the tranny in "+-" mode and drove a bit with the paddles, shifting from 1st to 2nd when I judged the time was right (like around 3K RPMs). Once I cycled the car a few times through the gears (at least up to 4th gear), I put the tranny back in "D", and the car started shifting normally.

I have an appointment tomorrow to have the dealer look into this.

Anyone have similar experiences???

Yellow-Smart

[jimvw57]

I have had this happen both before and after the upgrade. There is a stretch of road where there are 3 traffic lights a block apart. That is where I have had this happen. I usually am slowing down for the next light so I just let it stay in 1st. I have switched to manual and switched back to auto aftr I get past those lights. Most of the time it works fine. I blame the phasing of the Moon, Solar spots, zodiac etc.

Let us know what the dealer says. I wanted to be able to explain exactly when it happens so I am still in the testing stage (and it is 50+ miles to the dealer)

[John_H]

I haven't had issues with smooth accelerations switching to second at too high an RPM axcept, perhaps, when I've had too many high-rev changes in manual mode (having forgotten I was no longer in D). Beyond those rare instances, I've notice one situation where the engine refuses to switch to a higher gear: after harder acceleration. If I hit the gas to get up to speed quickly the let off the pedal significantly it stays in the same gear, effectively engine braking. A little gas won't kick up into the next gear - it has to be enough to make the TCU think I'm trying to at least maintain speed. Not bad, just funny.

Also, the engine is still happy beyond 6k rpm.

[yellow smart]

John H,

I wonder if the scenario you mention where you let up on the gas prior to shifting could be my issue? Most of the drive during this time was between 5-15 MPH so I wonder if I was letting up on the gas without realizing it and caused this. Its worth another test. However, still taking in to the dealer. If for nothing else to have them fix the 7/8 tank full gas guage issue. (reprogramming the fuel level sensor)

[rfernatt]

My 08 with 2.0 upgrade does something similar in the morning, but it did it before the 2.0 upgrade as well. When first starting out after backing out of the garage, the car doesn't want to shift from 1 - 2 even though I drive in manual mode. I don't know if it's a time thing or getting up to speed thing, but it won't respond to the up-shift paddle for a little bit. Then, it acts normally. Instead of hitting the paddle 2 or 3 times, I just keep it in 1st until the point where it normally lets me shift into 2 and then call for the up-shift and there is no hesitation.

I am also descending a slight grade, so maybe it's grade logic thing? My '07 Civic would do something similar with its automatic - holding a gear going down a slight grade and even if you accelerated, it wouldn't up-shift for a little bit, just revved up the engine while holding the same gear.

Not a big deal for me, just another bit of character. But, I could see it being annoying for those of you in traffic.

[PeteInLongBeach]

Originally Posted by rfernatt

My 08 with 2.0 upgrade does something similar in the morning, but it did it before the 2.0 upgrade as well. When first starting out after backing out of the garage, the car doesn't want to shift from 1 - 2 even though I drive in manual mode. I don't know if it's a time thing or getting up to speed thing, but it won't respond to the up-shift paddle for a little bit. Then, it acts normally.

It's due to temperature. The transmission is programmed for slightly higher shift points when the engine is cold, facilitating faster warm-ups. If you put it in automated mode, you'll see how it changes as it warms up. If you try manually shifting at a speed too low for "cold mode", it will ignore your command until you reach the minimum cold shift speed for that gear.