HawthorneVillager.com

Hi all,

While driving this evening to a friends place, the check engine like came on with a warning on the screen saying "check transmission" with "D" (drive gear) flashing green. The manual says to have the code read to see what's up. When I called my bro in law (owns a dealership that sells a lot of MDX's) he seemed to think, based on my saying that shifting felt normal and smooth, that it might be a freak occurance, as he's seen it before in MDX's.

While driving home, the check engine was on, but no check transmission warning came on and shifting was normal.

I have warranty on the tranny (3rd party) but the mechanic is only open for a few hours tomorrow (very busy place, dont think he will be able to take me in on short notice) and I would like to see what the code is reading.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Try unhooking the battery for a few minutes to see if it resets itself. Common thing on Hondas for a sensor to be triggered but nothing's wrong.

Mechanic got squeezed me in. Code read 2nd gear transmission pressure switch. Checked it out online and apparently a fairly common thing.

Here's the screwed up part - Drove it home, no problems - drove it harder to see if I could make it come up again. Check engine was still on, as he didn't clear it (made no point to clear it). Got home and needed gas, so went to the station. Filled up. Fired up the car to come home - No check engine, no warning lights at all. Drove it home hard, hammering through the gears, nothing...

Now I'm curious if it was a freak issue, or something starting to go?

Don't know about the transmission message.
I am pretty sure that the check engine on your MDX also refers to the emission control systems. On an earlier model my mechanic tested and was sure the light was due to the emission system but not certain where. He suggested the easiest answer may be a faulty gas fill cap. Done for a few bucks and no more engine light.

It's not the gas cap, sure of that. Check tranny light wouldn't come up for gas cap. It also wouldn't have a code for 2nd gear pressure switch if it waste has cap, there's a code specifically for gas cap.

Check your transmission fluid level first and foremost and see if it's good.

It could just be a phantom code, but if you filled gas and then the CEL went away, it was likely the gas cap that wasn't screwed in tight enough.

If the check engine light comes on again, drop me a PM and I'll scan you.

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What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

Tranny fluid looks decent, not dark, but not bright pinky like new. The gas cap would throw a gas cap code - we've had it happen before and it doesn't go away immediately upon refuelling, takes some time. The code was specific to 2nd gear pressure switch, which is known to go on these. Plus the check engine light comes on for gas cap, but I've never heard of check transmission warning coming up for gas cap. I think we'll drive it until we see it again and see what's up.