2003 Pilot Shifter Loose

[rickok]

Seemingly out of the blue the shifter on my 2003 Honda Pilot (103,000 miles) started acting up. It's not shifting into the gears solidly and at times it takes a minute to line it up into the proper gear. It's not flashing like I saw alot of people have problems with. I brought it to the dealer and they said I had a stretched detent spring. When they repalced it they said the bracket holding the spring was broke. Replacing that had no effect. On the 4th visit they said that the problem is a module in the transmission and that I need a new one. Wow, it runs fine once its in gear. Any ideas?

[Underdog]

I have a similar problem with my 04. Taking it to my mechanic tomorrow. I'll advise.

IMO .......if the dealers where you live are anything like the dealers here, Stay far far away. They seem to only hire incompetents and are as crooked as a "dog"s hind leg" . They'll screw you out of hundreds of dollars to repair (They're in reality nothing but R & R artists) what a "Real Mechanic" can fix for a fraction of the cost.

[rocky]

Hard to shift

While the symptoms are different, I'm willing to wager that the cable connecting the shifter to the gearbox is loose/stretched/out of adjustment. There have been a couple of people with older Pilots in the rustbelt/snow states with shifter cable issues.

[Underdog]

Mechanic advised that the Shifter Cable is binding. He attempted to lube it. It really didn't help that much. He recommends that the cable be replaced.

[rocky]

That was Mainer's experience too.

[Underdog]

Cable replaced and the issue is resolved. Shifter is like new again.

Cable $200, Labour $75 so with taxes $310.00.

[greenwoodpipi]

I am having the same issue with my 2003 Pilot as described in the first forum. So, I will take the advice - thanks!

[94eg!]

For future reference: Cable for a 2004 can be purchased for $116 straight from online Honda dealers

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