Changed transmission fluid now car wont move
I decided to change my trusty Honda Civic’s transmission fluid myself. Following an online tutorial‚ I felt confident. After refilling‚ I started the car‚ and it lurched forward a few feet before completely dying. The engine ran‚ but the car wouldn’t move. Panic set in – I was stranded in my driveway!
The DIY Transmission Fluid Change
My name is Amelia‚ and I’ve always considered myself fairly handy around the house. Changing my car’s transmission fluid seemed like a logical next step in my DIY journey. I’d watched countless YouTube videos and read several online forums‚ feeling increasingly confident in my abilities. I purchased the recommended amount of Honda ATF-DW1 fluid‚ a new drain plug washer‚ and a few rags. My garage‚ usually a chaotic space‚ was meticulously organized for this project. I jacked up the car securely‚ placed jack stands for safety (a lesson learned from previous minor mishaps!)‚ and located the transmission drain plug. The old fluid drained out‚ a dark‚ murky color‚ confirming my suspicion that a change was long overdue. I meticulously cleaned the drain plug and replaced the washer‚ ensuring a tight seal. Then came the tricky part – refilling the transmission. I used a funnel and carefully poured the new fluid into the fill hole‚ checking the level frequently with the dipstick. It was a slow‚ deliberate process. The instructions emphasized the importance of getting the level just right‚ neither too high nor too low. I meticulously followed the instructions‚ double-checking my work at every stage. I even consulted a friend‚ Mark‚ a seasoned mechanic‚ over the phone to confirm my technique. He seemed satisfied with my approach‚ offering encouragement and a few tips. Once the fluid was at the correct level‚ I carefully lowered the car‚ tightened everything securely‚ and wiped down any spills. I felt a surge of pride and satisfaction. I’d done it! Or so I thought…
The Moment Everything Went Wrong
With a triumphant grin‚ I hopped into my Civic‚ ready for a test drive. I turned the key‚ the engine roared to life‚ sounding perfectly normal. I put the car into drive‚ expecting a smooth transition. Instead‚ the car lurched forward a couple of feet‚ then shuddered violently‚ coming to a complete stop. My heart sank. The engine continued to run‚ but the car was completely unresponsive. I tried shifting through the gears – reverse‚ neutral‚ drive – nothing. The car remained stubbornly immobile. A wave of disbelief washed over me‚ quickly followed by a rising tide of panic. All that careful work‚ all that meticulous attention to detail‚ and it had resulted in a complete and utter failure. I tried again‚ cautiously this time‚ but the result was the same. My carefully planned DIY transmission fluid change had somehow rendered my car immobile. The quiet satisfaction I’d felt moments before was replaced by a gnawing sense of dread and frustration. I was stranded in my own driveway‚ my perfectly executed project having backfired spectacularly. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. What had I done wrong? Had I missed a crucial step? Had I somehow overfilled or underfilled the transmission? The possibilities swirled in my mind‚ each more terrifying than the last. My confidence‚ so high just minutes earlier‚ evaporated like morning mist. The weight of my mistake settled heavily on my shoulders. I slumped back in my seat‚ staring blankly at the dashboard‚ the silence punctuated only by the steady hum of the engine‚ a cruel reminder of my mechanical failure. The feeling was akin to a punch to the gut; a stark contrast to the feeling of accomplishment I had just experienced.
Troubleshooting Attempts
My initial reaction was pure panic‚ but I quickly tried to regain my composure. First‚ I checked the transmission fluid level again. It was within the recommended range‚ so that wasn’t the problem. Next‚ I consulted the online manual for my Civic‚ hoping to find some clue. I reread every step of the fluid change process‚ searching for a missed detail or a possible error. Nothing jumped out at me. Frustration mounted. I popped the hood‚ examining all the hoses and connections related to the transmission‚ looking for leaks or loose fittings. Everything seemed secure. Then‚ remembering a YouTube video I’d seen‚ I tried turning the ignition on and off several times‚ hoping to reset something. No luck. I even tried jiggling the gear shift lever‚ thinking maybe something was mechanically jammed. Nothing worked. The internet became my next resource. I searched frantically for similar problems‚ hoping to find someone who had experienced the same issue and found a solution. I found countless forums and threads discussing transmission problems‚ but none mirrored my exact situation. The hours ticked by as I continued my troubleshooting‚ each failed attempt chipping away at my hope. I started to feel a growing sense of helplessness. My carefully planned DIY project had spiraled into a frustrating and seemingly insurmountable problem. The car remained stubbornly unmoved‚ a stark testament to my mechanical ineptitude. The sun began to set‚ casting long shadows across my driveway‚ a visual representation of my dwindling optimism.
Seeking Professional Help
Defeated‚ I finally admitted I was out of my depth. My amateur troubleshooting had hit a brick wall. The next morning‚ I called a local mechanic‚ explaining my situation. His calm‚ reassuring voice was a welcome change from the internal panic I’d been experiencing. He suggested a few possibilities‚ but ultimately‚ he said a proper inspection was necessary. I scheduled an appointment for later that day. Towing the car was unexpectedly expensive‚ adding insult to injury. At the mechanic’s garage‚ a seasoned technician‚ whose name I believe was Dave‚ examined my Civic. He checked the fluid level again (which was still fine)‚ and then he meticulously inspected the transmission lines and connections. He even used a specialized tool to check the transmission’s internal pressure. I watched‚ fascinated and slightly embarrassed‚ as he systematically ruled out various possibilities. After about an hour‚ Dave discovered the problem⁚ I had inadvertently overfilled the transmission fluid. By a small amount‚ but enough to cause the transmission to malfunction. Apparently‚ the excess fluid created excessive pressure‚ preventing the transmission from engaging properly. He drained some of the excess fluid‚ and then performed a thorough test drive. To my immense relief‚ the car worked perfectly. The relief was palpable; the weight of my error and the ensuing stress lifted. The repair cost‚ excluding the tow‚ was surprisingly reasonable. Dave even gave me some tips to avoid making the same mistake again in the future. The whole ordeal was a costly and humbling lesson‚ but I learned a valuable lesson about the limits of DIY car repair and the importance of seeking professional help when needed. The experience left me with a newfound respect for the expertise of skilled mechanics.