hard shift between 1st and 2nd

inf327 · Dec 4, 2023

I have a 2013 Odyssey with 110k miles that has had an occasional has a hard shift between 1st and 2nd gear. The van has not had a transmission fluid change. I'm not the primary driver but last night my wife said it was occurring on her way home and I had her leave the van running when she arrived so I could witness the issue.

Here's what I was seeing:

Anytime the vehicle comes to a stop or near stop and has to shift between 1st and 2nd the shift is brutal. Shifts fine in the above gears and doesn't seem to occur shifting down 2nd to 1st. If you put the car in park and restart it the problem stops - at least until it occurs again weeks or months later. My wife says this issue only occurs in cold weather.

I've seen others in the forums the with similar hard shift issues (some other gear transitions like 3 to 4). Some seem to find solutions with multiple fluid changes and others seem to suggest the issue is with oil pressure switches. Not familiar with the latter.

Taking the van in for timing belt service later this week and to try and diagnose this hard shift issue. Can anyone share any insight on this issue so I can hopefully eliminate some unnecessarily costs chasing down the issue?

The fact that the issue goes away after restarting the car makes me think the oil pressure switch is more likely the culprit but figure it's time to do transmission fluid anyway.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Video of issue:

dvpatel · Dec 4, 2023

Welcome. As a brand new member here, I would recommend you do not go and "edit" your post(s). At least not the very first post of your thread(s). I have been trying to approve this one of yours for over an hour. Finally managed to do so.

WiiMaster · Dec 4, 2023

What trim level?

Daniel_H · Dec 4, 2023

inf327 said:
The van has not had a transmission fluid change.

OEM DW-1 fluid needs to be changed more frequently. Whether it’s something else or not, start with the cheapest thing first, do a 3x drain and fill on your transmission (truthfully easier than changing oil in this model). I do a 1x drain and fill every other oil change.

When I got my van, the fluid hadn’t been changed in 60k miles and it was shifting hard. Did a 3x drain and fill and it shifts smooth now even with 217k miles on it.

94eg! · Dec 4, 2023

I find fluid level effects the shift quality. First make sure yours is at upper mark when hot. If it's above or below my 12 EX-L 5-speed shifts weird.

v4forever · Dec 4, 2023

inf327 said:
I have a 2013 Odyssey with 110k miles that has had an occasional has a hard shift between 1st and 2nd gear. The van has not had a transmission fluid change.

As fluid ages, the viscosity changes due to age and the impurities in it. I would do 3 oil changes and then report back.
Thicker oil due to contamination and cold weather don't mix well.
Get rid of one of those factors and see if it helps.
Also, I would not fire the parts cannons at the transmission first.
Do the known issues first like changing out the ATF first

SundayMechanic · Dec 4, 2023

If your Odyssey trim level is Touring, it has 6 speed transmission. All others have 5-speed transmission.
First thing I would do is,

1) Change transmission fluid 3 times (drain & fill only). But must use DW-1 or compatible fluid. I personally use Valvoline Maxlife.
Change filter too if you have 6 speed transmission.

2) Get transmission software updated. Only Honda Dealers can do it as far as I know.

3) If above methods don't fix the problem, change Pressure Switch. If you are a DIY guy, there are many posts here and YouTube by MrRanger that helps you step my step. It's pretty easy job.
If not, do it at a shop.

inf327 · Dec 5, 2023

Thanks for all the solid advice from all. Didn't realize the touring model had a slightly different transmission - I'll verify what the techs plan on using for fluid.

I'll be going the 3x transmission change first to see if that improves things. I'll report back if it ends up being something else.

smufguy · Dec 5, 2023

inf327 said:
Thanks for all the solid advice from all. Didn't realize the touring model had a slightly different transmission - I'll verify what the techs plan on using for fluid.

I'll be going the 3x transmission change first to see if that improves things. I'll report back if it ends up being something else.

If you need a digital copy, visit this site >> MyGarage

The capacity for regular D&F is 3.3 qt. So make sure you have at least 11 bottles of DW-1 handy before you start on the 3x D&F.

adtran00 · Mar 17, 2024

SundayMechanic said:
If your Odyssey trim level is Touring, it has 6 speed transmission. All others have 5-speed transmission.
First thing I would do is,

1) Change transmission fluid 3 times (drain & fill only). But must use DW-1 or compatible fluid. I personally use Valvoline Maxlife.
Change filter too if you have 6 speed transmission.

2) Get transmission software updated. Only Honda Dealers can do it as far as I know.

3) If above methods don't fix the problem, change Pressure Switch. If you are a DIY guy, there are many posts here and YouTube by MrRanger that helps you step my step. It's pretty easy job.
If not, do it at a shop.

Appreciate the info and knowledge. On your 3rd suggestion, replacing the oil pressure switch. There are 2 oil pressure switches (one front and one rear). How do i know which one to replace? Many Thanks.

WiiMaster · Mar 17, 2024

adtran00 said:
Appreciate the info and knowledge. On your 3rd suggestion, replacing the oil pressure switch. There are 2 oil pressure switches (one front and one rear). How do i know which one to replace? Many Thanks.

I think you are getting the transmission pressure switches confused with the engine pressure switches.

RooandDoo · Sep 8, 2024

Did you find a solution to your shifting issue? Thank you.

kernel · Sep 8, 2024

Rather than asking the OP if their problem has been fixed, we need more info from you. Like year and trim of your Ody and what have you done to resolve your problem? Like, have you done a drain and fill of your transmission? Have you reviewed the other posts in this thread?

inf327 · Dec 9, 2024

RooandDoo said:
Did you find a solution to your shifting issue? Thank you.

I was optimistic the 3x trans fluid change had fixed the issue but the hard shift just returned (right in step with cold weather). Taking it into Honda to see about a software update and to discuss other options. I'll update again if I learn anything.

SparkyJJO · Dec 9, 2024

My first guess is a shift solenoid/switch/whatever those darn things are called. Easy enough to replace, just use the right one for the right location (they're not all the same).

v4forever · Dec 10, 2024

inf327 said:
I was optimistic the 3x trans fluid change had fixed the issue but the hard shift just returned (right in step with cold weather). Taking it into Honda to see about a software update and to discuss other options. I'll update again if I learn anything.

Same here, hard shift from 1st to 2nd when cold.
So I just take it easy in-between 1st and 2nd when cold and then it shifts normal when warm.
If you find a fix, let us know.

hard shift between 1st and 2nd

inf327

dvpatel

WiiMaster

Daniel_H

94eg!

v4forever

SundayMechanic

inf327

smufguy

adtran00

WiiMaster

RooandDoo

kernel

inf327

SparkyJJO

v4forever

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