No overdrive - Honda Pilot

izi6969 · 08-18-2007, 09:11 PM

On the return leg of a 600 mile road trip my 2004 Pilot would not go into overdrive. Engine RPM reflected about 4000 but no power. I kicked off the cruise control and still same problem. We crippled home with no other problems. No check engine light illuminated or adverse indications. I checked my K&N filter and no clogs. Any ideas please help before I have to take it to the dealer.

krygny · 08-18-2007, 10:18 PM

Not likely something that will "just go away" with a filter or fluid change and some wishful thinking. 4000 RPM at what speed? At 70 MPH, almost seems as though it was stuck in 3rd.

N_Jay · 08-18-2007, 10:40 PM

Are you sure the selector was not in "D3"?

izi6969 · 08-19-2007, 08:51 AM

I was driving at about 70 mph through some rolling hills etc. Running 87 octane gas, like always. Vehicle was in "D" and 4 passengers and some luggage. Not extremely overloaded and ambient temp was about 91-93 degrees.

krygny · 08-19-2007, 09:41 AM

Come to think of it, 4000 RPM @ 70 MPH sounds a little high even for D3. You may have driven 300 miles in 2nd gear on a hot day up and down hills with a full load. I wish I could think of something good to say but I think the tranny's F&%KED. Hope you're still in warranty.

Gear Ratios:
1st: 2.693, (2WD, 2.422)
2nd: 1.565
3rd: 1.023
4th: 0.782
5th: 0.595
Reverse: 1.888
Final Drive: 4.375

(Current models; may be different in '03s &'04s.)

jestmaty · 08-19-2007, 02:13 PM

Remember, I'm one of the few/or many that use D3 regularly... when I'm towing.

Came back from Austin To Houston in D3 with my boat behind me. Got 3500 rpms @ 60 mph, so 4000 @ 70 sounds about right.

No one has asked the question yet.... is it still not going to 5th or is it still stuck seemingly in 3rd?

N_Jay · 08-19-2007, 03:45 PM

Just did a test.
4000 is about right for 70 MPH in D3.

Might just be a linkage problem.

Stop worrying and have it looked at.

whizmo · 08-19-2007, 11:48 PM

Is this a lack of power problem or a transmission gear selection problem?

- Mark

A6Pilot · 11-28-2007, 01:04 PM

izi6969-

One operating characteristic of Japanese engines is that they need high rpm to achieve power. The Honda powertrain engineers have designed their transmissions to account for that. The transmission will try to keep the engine operating in the upper reaches of the powerband. Heck, the vtec feature doesn't even engage until your north of 4000 rpm.

Even with a slight incline, the transmission will first unlock the torque converter, then shift down to a lower gear. It remembers how aggressively you like to drive, and will shift earlier to accommodate those folks. The transmission has been programmed to retain a lower gear selection longer, to prevent constant shifting. It's just the way it is designed.

4000 rpm at 70 mph is about right for 3rd gear, and unlocked torque converter.

It sounds like your vehicle is operating exactly as designed.

08-18-2007, 09:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
izi6969 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No overdrive On the return leg of a 600 mile road trip my 2004 Pilot would not go into overdrive. Engine RPM reflected about 4000 but no power. I kicked off the cruise control and still same problem. We crippled home with no other problems. No check engine light illuminated or adverse indications. I checked my K&N filter and no clogs. Any ideas please help before I have to take it to the dealer.

08-18-2007, 10:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
krygny Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NY Panhandle(c) Posts: 2,831 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sounds serious Not likely something that will "just go away" with a filter or fluid change and some wishful thinking. 4000 RPM at what speed? At 70 MPH, almost seems as though it was stuck in 3rd. __________________ 2003 EX-L, Sage Brush Pearl Side Steps • Rear Splash Guards • Cross Bars • Cargo Tray • Cargo Cover • All-Season Floor Mats • StreetPilot ColorMap • WeatherTech WeatherFlectors • Fortera TripleTreds

08-18-2007, 10:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,553 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Are you sure the selector was not in "D3"? __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

08-19-2007, 09:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
krygny Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NY Panhandle(c) Posts: 2,831 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Come to think of it, 4000 RPM @ 70 MPH sounds a little high even for D3. You may have driven 300 miles in 2nd gear on a hot day up and down hills with a full load. I wish I could think of something good to say but I think the tranny's F&%KED. Hope you're still in warranty. Gear Ratios: 1st: 2.693, (2WD, 2.422) 2nd: 1.565 3rd: 1.023 4th: 0.782 5th: 0.595 Reverse: 1.888 Final Drive: 4.375 (Current models; may be different in '03s &'04s.) __________________ 2003 EX-L, Sage Brush Pearl Side Steps • Rear Splash Guards • Cross Bars • Cargo Tray • Cargo Cover • All-Season Floor Mats • StreetPilot ColorMap • WeatherTech WeatherFlectors • Fortera TripleTreds

08-19-2007, 02:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
jestmaty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Katy, Tx Posts: 1,263 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Remember, I'm one of the few/or many that use D3 regularly... when I'm towing. Came back from Austin To Houston in D3 with my boat behind me. Got 3500 rpms @ 60 mph, so 4000 @ 70 sounds about right. No one has asked the question yet.... is it still not going to 5th or is it still stuck seemingly in 3rd? __________________ 2004 EXL-RES Sage Brush Pearl 2005 Bayliner 175XT Bowrider OEM Tow Package, side steps, Front window tint, interior wood trim, ss exhaust tips, Castrol full synthetic oil, 7 yr/100k extended warranty, crossbars

08-19-2007, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
izi6969 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I was driving at about 70 mph through some rolling hills etc. Running 87 octane gas, like always. Vehicle was in "D" and 4 passengers and some luggage. Not extremely overloaded and ambient temp was about 91-93 degrees.

08-19-2007, 03:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,553 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just did a test. 4000 is about right for 70 MPH in D3. Might just be a linkage problem. Stop worrying and have it looked at. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

08-19-2007, 11:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
whizmo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,817 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is this a lack of power problem or a transmission gear selection problem? - Mark

11-28-2007, 01:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
A6Pilot Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 418 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	izi6969- One operating characteristic of Japanese engines is that they need high rpm to achieve power. The Honda powertrain engineers have designed their transmissions to account for that. The transmission will try to keep the engine operating in the upper reaches of the powerband. Heck, the vtec feature doesn't even engage until your north of 4000 rpm. Even with a slight incline, the transmission will first unlock the torque converter, then shift down to a lower gear. It remembers how aggressively you like to drive, and will shift earlier to accommodate those folks. The transmission has been programmed to retain a lower gear selection longer, to prevent constant shifting. It's just the way it is designed. 4000 rpm at 70 mph is about right for 3rd gear, and unlocked torque converter. It sounds like your vehicle is operating exactly as designed.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Piloteers.org Advertisement

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: