Transmission i-shift fails

[Guinness]

My pilot was driving out of underground carpark when i-shift stop working and I couldn't get out of neutral. He pushed back to a space and called Hondacare. My pilot says they and AA who arrived were brilliant. When AA man turned the car and pressed the red button I found I was now stuck in gear so couldn't be pusherd and my fan came on, satnav wouldn't go off etc etc - AA man totally stumped (he found it very wierd to be attending a Honda full stop). AA had to recover me back home and a hire car (Seat 2.0 diesel with 50 miles on the clock) delivered for my pilot.
My home dealer had a bit of trouble finding out what was wrong but eventually found a loose wire in a wiring harness in my engine compartment somewhere. Everything working fine again now. Pilot very happy to have me back - Seat was very boring apparantly particularly the cockpit!!

He just thinks that maybe the wire was loosened when a new handbrake was fitted a week or two beforehand - but who knows. Thankyou to Hondacare, AA, Avis and Avondale Stratford for making the whole experience bearable for my pilot -he has nothing but the highest praise for you all.

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Guinness

My pilot was driving out of underground carpark when i-shift stop working and I couldn't get out of neutral. He pushed back to a space and called Hondacare. My pilot says they and AA who arrived were brilliant. When AA man turned the car and pressed the red button I found I was now stuck in gear so couldn't be pusherd and my fan came on, satnav wouldn't go off etc etc - AA man totally stumped (he found it very wierd to be attending a Honda full stop). AA had to recover me back home and a hire car (Seat 2.0 diesel with 50 miles on the clock) delivered for my pilot.
My home dealer had a bit of trouble finding out what was wrong but eventually found a loose wire in a wiring harness in my engine compartment somewhere. Everything working fine again now. Pilot very happy to have me back - Seat was very boring apparantly particularly the cockpit!!

He just thinks that maybe the wire was loosened when a new handbrake was fitted a week or two beforehand - but who knows. Thankyou to Hondacare, AA, Avis and Avondale Stratford for making the whole experience bearable for my pilot -he has nothing but the highest praise for you all.

Glad to hear that you are now sorted. If the diagnosis was correct it shows that it does not take much to upset the electronics. As a matter of interest , but completely off thread, my very new Pioneer DVD player, went haywire this evening. My very helpful three year old grand daughter had managed to wedge the 'scan forward' button on the Remote Control. It took me half an hour to sus the problem.
I wonder if the diagnosis was conveyed back to the mechanic who replaced your handbrake?

[mattsbobo]

Not to sound stupid, but what's i-shift? We don't have that in the US. Am I also reading correctly that: Something went wrong with your car, and a Honda Tech came to where you were, and fixed the problem? If that's the case, we DEFINITELY don't have that in the US.

Edit: Also, what's the pilot?

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by mattsbobo

Not to sound stupid, but what's i-shift? We don't have that in the US. Am I also reading correctly that: Something went wrong with your car, and a Honda Tech came to where you were, and fixed the problem? If that's the case, we DEFINITELY don't have that in the US.

Edit: Also, what's the pilot?

Good Morning mattsbobo. As you posted an open letter, I'll try and explain what the i-shift is. I'll let Guinness explain the rest.

From the official Honda Brochure:
"The optional i-SHIFT (Automated-Manual Transmission) allows you to choose the way you want to drive. Select Manual mode for a more sporty drive using the gear shift, or paddle shifts on the steering wheel for optimum control. Automatic mode provides a more relaxed but equally exhilerating driving experience. i-SHIFT delivers all this with lower emissions and better fuel economy than a conventional manual transmission"
So i-SHIFT is a form of transmission/gearbox. It is not a true automatic, but an automated manual. It appears peculiar in the Honda range to the latest Civic made in Swindon, England. When the first i-shifts came off the production line there were certain deficiences in the software in the car's on board computer. The earlier i-shift models have now had an upgrade (or should have) and the latest i-shift models are an improvement although the system still has its critics.
I am not competent to go into the actual mechanics of the matter. The system does perhaps call for a slightly different driving style.

[Kremmen]

Automatic mode provides a more relaxed but equally exhilerating driving experience.

Certainly exhilerating when it cuts the throttle power when you most need it (ala roundabouts).

[streakybird]

Originally Posted by Guinness

My pilot was driving out of underground carpark when i-shift stop working and I couldn't get out of neutral. He pushed back to a space and called Hondacare. My pilot says they and AA who arrived were brilliant. When AA man turned the car and pressed the red button I found I was now stuck in gear so couldn't be pusherd and my fan came on, satnav wouldn't go off etc etc - AA man totally stumped (he found it very wierd to be attending a Honda full stop). AA had to recover me back home and a hire car (Seat 2.0 diesel with 50 miles on the clock) delivered for my pilot.
My home dealer had a bit of trouble finding out what was wrong but eventually found a loose wire in a wiring harness in my engine compartment somewhere. Everything working fine again now. Pilot very happy to have me back - Seat was very boring apparantly particularly the cockpit!!

He just thinks that maybe the wire was loosened when a new handbrake was fitted a week or two beforehand - but who knows. Thankyou to Hondacare, AA, Avis and Avondale Stratford for making the whole experience bearable for my pilot -he has nothing but the highest praise for you all.

Good to hear some positive news for a change

[Guinness]

Originally Posted by mattsbobo

Not to sound stupid, but what's i-shift? We don't have that in the US. Am I also reading correctly that: Something went wrong with your car, and a Honda Tech came to where you were, and fixed the problem? If that's the case, we DEFINITELY don't have that in the US.

Edit: Also, what's the pilot?

The pilot is my 'driver'. He gave me the name Guinness cos I'm black with cream leather interior!!
Over here with the Hondacare Warranty if you breakdown (as in car misfunctions - not mental or nervous!) you telephone a number and a Honda person answers. They will take details and despatch an AA (Automobile Association) roadside 'engineer' to see if he can fix it on the spot. If he (or she - I presume there are some female ones although I've never seen one) can't fix it on the roadside they will 'recover' it to a location of your choice (my pilot chose the nearest dealership to his home) and send you a hire car to use (you pay only for the petrol/deisel (gas)) until your Honda is fixed. It all worked very well. Hope that explains everything - if not ask again.

My pilot lived in NC for 3 happy years - great place (and great BBQ) - I bet the weather is fantastic at present. Go Wolfpack!! (or are you a Tar Heel?)

[mattsbobo]

Thanks for the info guys. We definitely don't have any "manu-matics" here, and no Hondacare call in to speak of. It's hard enough to get Honda of America to fix factory flaws (ie: notchy 3rd gears), let alone call them up, and send a tech out to see what's wrong with a car.

North Carolina, is mighty hot, and humid right now (although the BBQ is still top notch). If I had to pick a college team to go for, I guess I'd go with the Tar Heels, although the sports I'm into generally have engines, and tires. I try to get up to Virginia International Raceway as much as possible, but it's never enough.