[69silver2k]

So I ordered a trans on Ebay from AZ (Gentry's transmission) for my 02 EX-L RES, with trans failure at 125k. I expected to receive a reman within 10-15 days due to shipping from AZ to WA, and because of the holidays. Unfortunatly, today I have asked for a refund because the supplier had no cores, and had yet to ship my trans (24 days after purchase). So.... That leaves me without a solution to my trans replacement issue.

I looked into Gator, Good price, fair guys to talk with, but require install by an ASE certified tech. I also priced out a Jasper on the recomendation of this forum, but cost is pretty high comparatively, and again, availible to ASE certified installers only from what I understand. As I am on a TIGHT budget with this vehicle, I would like to do the install myself. (doing the work myself is about a $1500 savings, cost of install and initial trans cost making up the difference)

I have read several mentions of a Trans shop in LA, California that is a specialty house for Honda/Acura transmissions, and provide a quality reman.

Does anyone have the name/contact info for this supplier?

Or, any other recomendations of a remanufacturer in the Seattle, WA area?

Thanks!!!

 

[redmondjp]

This place in Kent does Odyssey rebuilds:

http://www.centraltransmission.com/

Kirkland Transmission (at Totem Lake in Kirkland) has a really good reputation as well but is expensive.

I'd ask around locally, and go ahead and call some of the local shops - you want one which has been in business for some time and most importantly, has experience with the Honda 5-speed automatics (which failed in V6-equipped Accords and Acuras as well as in Odysseys).

 

[69silver2k]

Thanks Redmond! I'll check in with Central Trans, they are on my way home from work. Had a rough experience with Kings trans (also in Kent) a couple of years ago (different vehicle), so confident recomendations are certainly going to help ease the pain if I can't do the work myself

 

[Greg Stoddard]

I have read several mentions of a Trans shop in LA, California that is a specialty house for Honda/Acura transmissions, and provide a quality reman.

Does anyone have the name/contact info for this supplier?

I'll check on the LA shop. My mechanic uses them but I can remember their name for the life of me. I'll be seeing him tonight and tomorrow so hopefully my scattered brain will remmember.:stupid:

 

[69silver2k]

Thanks Greg!!

When you had your tranny replaced, did your mechanic install the LA based trans? How was the result? How long ago was it done?

I asked around a bit last night and made contact with a well know Japanese repair shop here in town last night. I asked if he would install the gator for me, and was flatly denied. They swear by the honda reman only, and won't install anything else. He did give me the name of another trans shop that they use for all of their non-Honda transmission repairs though. I'll give them a visit over the weekend and see where this road takes us.

 

[Greg Stoddard]

Well I asked but he only uses factory remans too.

When I had mine done it was done at the dealership with a partial goodwill so it worked out about the same pricewise and I got the 36 month warranty going with them.

 

[69silver2k]

Thanks Greg! I appreciate you checking. I found a local place that I am going to try. When I called them, I was impressed that the guy knew of the 3rd gear clutch problem, and the valve body updates that need to be done, and was talking about how they have solved them those issues. Sounds like they do 3-4 tranny's a week. They also have a 3 yr 50k warranty for just a bit more than the original ebay cost. Got the trans about 3/4 out, and am ready to drop the sub frame. Of course a FSM has been VERY helpful best $50 I've spent in a long time!!!

 

[Greg Stoddard]

If they know about the changes to the valve body I suspect that they know what they are doing. Sounds like a good place.

 

[redmondjp]

Thanks Greg! I appreciate you checking. I found a local place that I am going to try. When I called them, I was impressed that the guy knew of the 3rd gear clutch problem, and the valve body updates that need to be done, and was talking about how they have solved them those issues. Sounds like they do 3-4 tranny's a week. They also have a 3 yr 50k warranty for just a bit more than the original ebay cost. Got the trans about 3/4 out, and am ready to drop the sub frame. Of course a FSM has been VERY helpful best $50 I've spent in a long time!!!

Please update this post later to let us know how everything turns out - just curious, is the place you speak of above Central Transmission or another shop?

 

[69silver2k]

Hi Redmond,
I sent an Email to Central trans via their website for a quote. I haven't gotten a response yet, so I was checking other places as well. The place I contacted was on the recomendation of Greg's Japanese... they use ABC transmission in Tacoma for everything but their Honda rebuilds. Since I wanted to do the install myself, and wasn't open to doing a factory reman, Gregs suggested that I check them out. Still open to the Central route too, especially if they are less expensive and equally knowledgeable. I won't have time to pull the rest of the trans til Wednesday or Thursday, but will update once I know more

 

[69silver2k]

Update:

Dropped the tranny off this morning in Tacoma at ABC Transmission.... I'll post again once I know the results. Also picked up motor mounts all the way around... I guess that now is the time since they are all accessible. I would be kicking myself later if I had to do either the front or rear and drop the sub frame again.

BTW... I have discovered that the Honda ball joint press is my friend 40 bucks on Amazon, and worth the wait. No hammers, or struggling to remove the joints, 10 mins with the tool and they were out!

 

[69silver2k]

Update : I installed the reman trans over the weekend. Install went fairly smooth, although the FSM got reassembly out of order in a couple of spots (specifically with the shift cable) .... I finished up with filling the trans with fluid, starting, and road test. all seemed normal until I hit about 20 mph, and the "D" light started flashing. No time to trouble shoot yet, but I'll be spending some time under it tonight. I'll update again once the issue is resolved.

 

[69silver2k]

Update : I installed the reman trans over the weekend. Install went fairly smooth, although the FSM got reassembly out of order in a couple of spots (specifically with the shift cable) .... I finished up with filling the trans with fluid, starting, and road test. all seemed normal until I hit about 20 mph, and the "D" light started flashing. No time to trouble shoot yet, but I'll be spending some time under it tonight. I'll update again once the issue is resolved.

update again... 3rd clutch pressure switch is causing the flashing D, code p0845... Trouble shooting tonight, and to the tranny shop on saturday if the pressure switch is bad, it should be under warranty.

 

[69silver2k]

update again... 3rd clutch pressure switch is causing the flashing D, code p0845... Trouble shooting tonight, and to the tranny shop on saturday if the pressure switch is bad, it should be under warranty.

Final update: Took the van to ABC Trans this morning, and indeed the new 3rd clutch pressure switch was defective. I enjoyed the experience with these guys and would use them again wife will be a happy camper now that the ODY is on the road !!!