Four problems related to transmission solenoid have been reported for the 1999 Honda Odyssey. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Our 1999 Honda Odyssey has had the p0740 torque clutch converter solenoid circuit (open) code displayed numerous times, we thought since it was a serious issue and the transmission had already been replaced within 20,000 miles that we should actually take it to the dealer in marysville, wa and have them do a transmission flush then a supervisor and said no you should have us run a diagnostic by one of our master techs. After reiterating this seriousness of our transmission issue the code coming on and delays in shifting mostly just barely noticeable, they assured us if we paid $129 for a diagnostic that a master tech could get to the issue, however they later told us after we got the car back and called on the issue that an apprentice (not a master tech) had done the entire inspection and came up with no problems except a different code having to do with up bad catalytic converter which had never been an issue before and told us we may need to get that replaced soon. The transmission code p0740 came up on our way home from the dealership. I told them of the code and the research I have done and asked what else to do and they told me there is nothing that can be done that is a transmission death code and we would need to replace the transmission, to which I asked even though it was just replaced 20,000 miles ago and he said maybe you got a bad transmission. Q: are they just all bad for this vehichle?.
It's been four months since my last check engine light came on. On 05/10/04, my check engine light came on again. This is the forth time since 10/06/03. I took it back to the dealer and the service person, dale, told me it could be numerous things (e-val, transmission, computer or shift solenoids). Wow! did someone say transmission? but he told me that in order for them to be completely sure, I would have to leave my car for approximately 5 hours to run the "thorough" test and they would charge me approximately $70. So, when they replaced my catalytic converter four months ago (and didn't do the 5 hour test), were they completely sure it was the catalytic converter? upset about this new discovery, I told them I just spent over $800 four months ago on something that they "thought" was wrong and now they are going to charge me to look at the same problem again. Dale later came back to me and said that they would reset the light today and if it happened again to come back right away and they would be able to "narrow it down. ".
Transmission would buck and slip in 3rd & 4th gears. Would drive only if placed in 1st & 2nd gears. Required new cluches, solenoids, and converter. Went to independent transmission repair. Honda wanted $5,400 to replace with rebuilt.
I have a 1999 Honda Odyssey with 65,000 miles on it. Our check engine light came on and I was told by a transmission shop that the dif. Bearings were failing and causing the solenoids to malfunction. They say I need a total transmission rebuild. I have found that there are many many more out there with the same problem. I am pursuing Honda to cover the replacement because it is obviously a under engineered / defective design.