1998 Honda Civic Auto, CEL, Question. Reps for Help

[TheProfiteer]

My GFs civic, the freaking king of CELs has thrown me another one, thats 4 different CEL codes in 2 months.

Only problem is I cannot think of a way to fix this one. I thought of solutions for the other three, but this one has me stumped.

It throws me a DTC #70 CEL which is the Automatic Transaxel.
But her Transmission is perfect and it shifts fine, doesnt stagger or kick in any of the gears. So why does it throw me this code?

If anyone can point me in the right direction I would be much appreciated.

I got these two codes from a scanner, P1706 and P0700 and I cant seem to find much of anything on them.

Here I found this http://www.crvownersclub.com/TSBs/2005/05-058.pdf

maybe this may help anyone, I cant seem to get much out of this.

[IntegraXTR]

might not help at all but, have you checked the fluid level? I'm kinda stumped on this too, just trying to help.

[TheProfiteer]

Yeah Fluid Level is straight, I did an OBD scanner test and got the codes.

P1706 and P0700, I am looking through them now.

Its becoming a Christmas tree civic, and its even green.

[TheProfiteer]

some one please help.

[TheProfiteer]

I have figured out a few things, but I still need input from others.

The P0700 is a generic code given anytime there is a problem with the Automatic Transaxle, after that another code is given and that code is the problem.

So that means the code that I am getting P1706 is the source of the problem.

Now I cant find much on it, but what little I found is that P1706 refers to a malfuction in the Automatic Gear Position Switch.

I found that the P1706 means Open in Transmission Range Switch Circuit, but I dont really know what to take from that.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, heck I will even take you out to dinner and drinks.

[Tech5]

either its the ecu problem or the tranny needs overhaul, doesnt matter if its shifting fine or not...Most likely your going to have to rebuild , its internal problem am guessing it has around 150k miles ....I give it a few weeks maybe month or so before its starts to act up or go out...9-10 cases like this always been needing to be rebuild...Sorry to inform you but best of luck

[1SOL2NV]

b4 rebuild change ecu .. if its throwing that many codes as you say and the car runs fine .. its the ecu tricking you .. had this stump me also .. and it was the ecu/wire harness the whole time ....... change ecu's and see wut code it throws if any and then double check the CEL's to have a more accurate reading if its electrical or mechanical ... John .

[Tech5]

if you read he had problems in past with different codes but he already fixed those problems, must have high miles an things dont last forever, but the only codes in it now is 700 1706 which are transmission codes...Most positive you will need a rebuild with these 2 codes...you can waste your money swapping out the ecu but I doubt it will help good luck

b4 rebuild change ecu .. if its throwing that many codes as you say and the car runs fine .. its the ecu tricking you .. had this stump me also .. and it was the ecu/wire harness the whole time ....... change ecu's and see wut code it throws if any and then double check the CEL's to have a more accurate reading if its electrical or mechanical ... John .

[TheProfiteer]

I understand that replacing the transmission is the easy yet costly way out.

I really need to find out what P1706 means. I am going to hit up the dealer tomorrow, see if they will be any help.

the Automatic Shift Switch, sounds so vaguely familiar.

It wouldn't be the switch below the shifter now would it?

[Tech5]

that code is not for a shift switch ...Its saying its out of (open)range big differnce there....so I told you what you needed to know, don't know what more you want

I understand that replacing the transmission is the easy yet costly way out.

I really need to find out what P1706 means. I am going to hit up the dealer tomorrow, see if they will be any help.

the Automatic Shift Switch, sounds so vaguely familiar.

It wouldn't be the switch below the shifter now would it?

[Tech5]

there isnt anything under the shifter that would cost this problem...your thinking about a neutral switch an its not under the shifter its tied into the brake switch which allows you to shift from park to gears...If it was bad you cant shift into gear an your brake lights wouldnt work...

I understand that replacing the transmission is the easy yet costly way out.

I really need to find out what P1706 means. I am going to hit up the dealer tomorrow, see if they will be any help.

the Automatic Shift Switch, sounds so vaguely familiar.

It wouldn't be the switch below the shifter now would it?

[TheProfiteer]

I just got a full flush done on the transmission less then a month ago, The Transmission does have high Miles on it, 170k from what I believe. If the transmission is original.
Could the flush have negatively impacted the internals of the transmission?

See I bought the car with a bad motor and replaced the motor but kept the transmission. I was very surprised that that the transmission was shifting as smooth as it was.

but wouldn't a mechanical problem cause the transmission to shift incorrectly, and have some sort of obvious result? Its just hard to accept that while a transmission is shifting as smooth as it would new, that some sort of internal mechanical defect has occurred.

[TheProfiteer]

oh and the 3 other CELs that I got were caused in error due on my part. Not really High Millage.

The EVAP code I got because I did not connect some of the vacuum lines correctly.
The IAC code I was getting was cause because I used the wrong Intake Manifold Gasket, and it was leaking air.(Used a 96-98 Y8 Gasket, when I needed a 99-01 Gasket, and yes they are different)
The first code that it threw since we assembled the car together and got it running was the Oxygen sensor and I got that fixed.

If her transmission is bad, that sucks, she doesn't have 700 dollars to get that fixed, and I just got her into this car.

[Tech5]

like I said it will shift fine its just triggering the CEL the ECU can since problems that we humans might not feel while driving but your ecu can see read all the pulses from the tranny..If you had it flush no it will not cause this code...Now if your fluid was near black an flushed it can cause slippaged..But not this code unless they did a power flush an some of the gunk had went threw the filter an is clogging it up an now the sensor are getting false readings...But even with that said I am telling you from many many many transmission work that I have done on hondas....You will be rebuilding/replacing this tranny...am not going to write you a book about why ' or I cant understand why... I am just saying about my past that I have worked on hondas,this is a open range problem an its internal meaning only way to fix it is to tear it apart an fix it...Now if you just want the light fix an dont want a rebuild then go to autozone by some black tape an cover up the CEL ..but soon very soon you will be either replacing/rebuilding or walking might want to get this fixed soon if you dont want to walk unless you have another car...Just trying to help

I just got a full flush done on the transmission less then a month ago, The Transmission does have high Miles on it, 170k from what I believe. If the transmission is original.
Could the flush have negatively impacted the internals of the transmission?

See I bought the car with a bad motor and replaced the motor but kept the transmission. I was very surprised that that the transmission was shifting as smooth as it was.

but wouldn't a mechanical problem cause the transmission to shift incorrectly, and have some sort of obvious result? Its just hard to accept that while a transmission is shifting as smooth as it would new, that some sort of internal mechanical defect has occurred.

[TheProfiteer]

I appreciate your help man, thanks.


this really sucks though!! Damn it, I knew I should of goten that tranny from James at mainstream before dropping this motor in!!

[Tech5]

am sorry man, Yeah with that many miles I would have gotten James tranny

[TheProfiteer]

You wouldnt happen to have an Auto Trans for sale would ya?

[Tech5]

I did but just sold it last week sorry....

[1SOL2NV]

ok josh i read up on it ... i had this problem not that long ago and it was the ecu i didnt read only but part of it and was like yea its the ecu .... if the guy said it wasnt mechanical and the trannny shifted and drove smoothly . when a auto goes out it just goes with no warning . so like josh said get it fixed b4 your walking and hopefully wont cost ya much . wut motor does the tranny need to bolt up to ?

[TheProfiteer]

D16Y8 I believe.

And here is the exact quote on what P1706 is. So I was wrong about the Shift Switch.

P1706 Open in Transmission Range Switch Circuit, what does this mean?

[1SOL2NV]

josh can he use a 92-95 civic Z6 auto tranny with the sensors and solenoids switched to obd2 ?????

[Tech5]

no 96-00 only I am guessing yours is an ex? just make sure you dont get a HX tranny

josh can he use a 92-95 civic Z6 auto tranny with the sensors and solenoids switched to obd2 ?????

[1SOL2NV]

cuz i know you can switch obd's on the motor wasnt clear if you can do it on trannies ..... i can get ahold of a y7 tranny off a ek coupe with a 30 day warranty for you to try .. but no guarantee's..

[TheProfiteer]

See what you can do man, any help would be appreciated, I know I can get a trans from Nad Auto for like $450, but thats a little high, I both me and her cant afford that right now, why do you think we drive old civic. lol

[1SOL2NV]

old ??? i drive a 95 and i love it ... but its a sol .lol

[TheProfiteer]

I love my 96 coupe too, I mean Its swapped with an LS, but I still like it, its relatively problem free.

She just needs a DD that wont cause her any problems, and a trans problem is a b!tch to take care of.

[1SOL2NV]

no it aint .... i done 2 the other day in accords ... you jus got to have the right tools and a shop with a/c lol

[Tech5]

Look up Tiger Japanese there tranny was 150.00 plus shipping which is like 175 that is the best around ..Best japanese in Georgia wants 750.00 with 6month warranty where Tiger is 30days

[iNsTuN nOoDoH]

Do you have a lot of stuff hanging off the shift lever like a purse or have any weight on the lever while you're driving; like resting your hand on it while you're driving? If you do, try resetting the code and driving it without resting your hand on there. Also make sure that it's completely in the gear and not sittin between drive and neutral or somethin. This could sometimes happen if the lever shifts forward or backwards while you're driving. ..

[TheProfiteer]

Do you have a lot of stuff hanging off the shift lever like a purse or have any weight on the lever while you're driving; like resting your hand on it while you're driving? If you do, try resetting the code and driving it without resting your hand on there. Also make sure that it's completely in the gear and not sittin between drive and neutral or somethin. This could sometimes happen if the lever shifts forward or backwards while you're driving. ..

My GF did tell me that sometimes she would put the shifter between Neutral and D and not realize it till she gives it some gas.

I did a reset and told her not to do that, hopefully maybe, that will clear things up.


Shes a new driver, she just got her lisence less than a month ago. So she just needs a little more time getting used to how a car feels and needs to be driven.

[delslo]

your cheapest bet would be a transmission check up, but they can tell u what ever they want to so u would need to make sure u went to really good place

[IntegraXTR]

dunno much on autos, but doesn't it have a TCU? as in automatic transmission control unit? And also, are there sensors on the tranny? possibly a faulty sensor?

[Tech5]

That doesnt have anything to do with the cel 700,1706

Do you have a lot of stuff hanging off the shift lever like a purse or have any weight on the lever while you're driving; like resting your hand on it while you're driving? If you do, try resetting the code and driving it without resting your hand on there. Also make sure that it's completely in the gear and not sittin between drive and neutral or somethin. This could sometimes happen if the lever shifts forward or backwards while you're driving. ..

[iNsTuN nOoDoH]

That doesnt have anything to do with the cel 700,1706

700 is a generic code for "you got a transmission problem"
P1706 goes straight to specifics. In this case, it does have SOMETHING to do with it. I'm not saying it IS, but it COULD be the problem.

[Tech5]

That code doesnt have anything to do with a purse ,drinks, dogs,on the shifter or it moving in out of gear...Sorry but nice try !

700 is a generic code for "you got a transmission problem"
P1706 goes straight to specifics. In this case, it does have SOMETHING to do with it. I'm not saying it IS, but it COULD be the problem.

[iNsTuN nOoDoH]

Sorry ASE man, didn't mean to offend your intelligence. I might not be ASE master tech or have supersonic mechanic smarts like you, but I won't give false information to sound smart. If I don't know something, I won't say anything. You could be absolutely right about the transmission being bad too. 'Preciate the compliment for the nice try man, I like to help others when I can.

TheProfiteer, I'll tell you this... start with that and see if it helps any. My sources are straight from Honda's Service Publications.

[TheProfiteer]

Sorry ASE man, didn't mean to offend your intelligence. I might not be ASE master tech or have supersonic mechanic smarts like you, but I won't give false information to sound smart. If I don't know something, I won't say anything. You could be absolutely right about the transmission being bad too. 'Preciate the compliment for the nice try man, I like to help others when I can.

TheProfiteer, I'll tell you this... start with that and see if it helps any. My sources are straight from Honda's Service Publications.

thanks man, thats the first thing I tried, I also made an appointment with Mr. Transmission, if the CEL comes back on, they said they will diagnose it for free.

thanks everybody for your help.

and dont fight between each other guys. No point, and no need.