I bought 89 civic 4x4 with rebuilt transmission but I experienced some wierd thing. Mine is automatic shift and it has a release button on left side of gear lever which needs to be holding in shifting. Once I shift gear D(stepping the brake) to R fast at once, holding left button, (not pausing on N), it is slow to engage 4 to 5 sec. However, if I shift it D -(not holding left button, actually don't need it when pushing it up to N position)- N - (pause about 1 or 0.5 sec and need to hold left button to push up lever to R ) - R in steps slowly, it engages perfectly without lag time.

Therefore, I have to shift gear D(step a brake)- N(pause .5sec)- R in step to avoid slow engagement.
Is the delay normal or is it problem on trans?

Thanks

 

The cable between the lever and the transmission probably needs adjustment. How does it work when going from P to R like you normally would to back out of a parking space?

 

Hmm. Thanks for your answer. Actually, it works well without any delay and problem when I shift P to R and also N to R. The delay is occurred only if I shift fast D to R at once.

Thanks

 

are you at a stop when you go from D to R? its going to be slow at best or rough if the car is still moving - its not a manual - you should be at a complete stop before going from D into R.