Problems with your Honda Accord transmission are never a good time. When your transmission starts to act up, a common troubleshooting step most transmission repair shops don’t want you to know about is knowing how to test a Honda Accord transmission switch. This switch is the primary component that ensures that your transmission is in the PARK before the engine can be started.
This is one of the biggest leading problems to an automatic Honda Accord not starting, because this safety switch has gone bad. When your Honda Accord transmission switch fails, your Honda Accord will “click” instead of starting when you turn the ignition key. The transmission switch we’ll be showing you how to fix today is from a 2001 Honda Accord 2.3 liter F23 equipped sedan.
If your Honda Accord does not start or has problems starting, make sure to check our How To Guide on repairing your Honda Accord Interlock. This is the part of your automatic transmission shifter that enables the transmission switch to trigger. Our guide on How To Service a Honda Accord Shift Interlock can get your Accord shifter moving if it’s stuck in position or locked into a certain gear.
Your F22 ECU requires a signal from the transmission computer, to signal that it’s a safe condition to start your Accord. When your Accord transmission switch fails however, it’s time to use our DIY guide to find out how to test a Honda Accord transmission switch.
In order to complete our how to test a Honda Accord transmission switch guide, you will require a multimeter and know how to use one. If you are not certain on how to use this testing device, read our primer here.
Where is my Honda Accord transmission switch located?
Your F23 Honda Accord transmission switch is mounted to the top of your transmission, which is on the passenger side of the vehicle. You can reach this area by raising the front of your Accord and removing the dust shield.
If you are going to be replacing your Honda Accord transmission switch, there’s a few 10mm bolts that secure the plastic shielding to the wiring loom that must be removed. These 10mm bolts run alongside the top of the transmission, until you can see the Honda Accord transmission switch connector and pigtail.
Now that’s out of the way, let’s get started on testing your Honda Accord transmission switch. To do this, you will need to find the main switch connector, which is a 10 pin connector that exits from the top of your transmission.
To find out whether or not your Honda Accord transmission switch is good, you will be using the multimeter to test the internal resistance of the switch.
Testing the transmission range switch simply involves checking the continuity between certain terminals of the switch with a multimeter. Unplug the transmission range switch as shown above, and use the diagram below to begin testing. Turn your key to the ON position, but do not start your Honda Accord to begin this test.
Using the black lead of your multimeter gently probe the front of PIN 3 on the Honda Accord transmission switch. Now with your red probe, touch the terminal #9. There should be continuity between these two terminals, if you don’t have continuity or there’s an open, replace your Honda Accord transmission switch.
If you have continuity at these two terminals, you can begin checking for continuity (or a break) from PIN #3 to all the other pins on the harness. Only PIN 9 should return continuity. If you do have continuity at any other terminal, this means that your transmission switch has broken at those particular gears and must be replaced.
Have any questions about our how to test a Honda Accord transmission switch guide? Leave us a comment below and let us know!