Engine light on and Drive indicator is flashing-

Asked by kelli7063 Aug 06, 2013 at 08:44 AM about the 2011 Honda Pilot LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

42 Answers

13,275

First check you fluid level while the auto is sitting level, warmed up and in Park. If that doesn't help you, then I found this earlier posting of the same issue and something here might help. *** anyone have the same problem??? **** out of nowhere the D/drive light started flashing. Took it out of gear to neutral, the nuetral light comes on but the D light is still flashing. Turned the engine off, started it back up and everything is back to normal. Normal for a month, then it happened again. Turned off the engine off, restarted and everything is back to normal. The car shifts / drives like normal all the time. Nonetheless too it to a shop, and they tried to pull the codes, but got nothing. Advised me to go to HONDA as they may be about to pull the code using the HONDA's computer reader. jmtnh answered 4 years ago The flashing light indicates a transmission problem. I think it has to go to the Honda dealer to read the code. I had the same thing happen. I decided to check my fluid level first, sure enough it didn't even register on the stick. I just needed fluid. I don't think I would have gotten off that cheap if I had taken it to the dealer. RV_IN_KC_1 answered about a year ago I experienced the same light illumination. Shifted to neutral, or any other gear, and light still kept blinking. Pulled off the road and turned off the engine. Restarted engine, blinking light was gone. Didn't reappear as I drove on to the destination. Checked the display at lunch, no blinking light present. Also checked the transmission fluid level, no problems there. It sounds like it may be another one of Honda's infamous phantom faults that they want to charge about a hundred bucks to say they don't know why, and that they reset all the codes so it shouldn't be a problem, Perhaps they believe they should get a hundred dollars from every Honda owner periodically, so they just program the codes to come on randomly, and not show up in the history, so nobody else can find them. Yes, I am more than somewhat skeptical of the major auto industry these days, this isn't the first instance of phantom codes, but they still charge you for their poor design and poor information. If they really cared about owners, they would leave some of the usless info out of the owners guide and put in a table of all the codes and light illuminations, with the radio or dash readout connected so the codes could be displayed for the owner. Then we would know if it is a critical thing, or simply a friendly reminder that an oil change is needed, or something of that sort. Why all the mistery? A HUNDRED BUCKS, OF COURSE!!!!!! David answered 2 months ago Same problem on my 2007 Pilot LX. Changed fluid (never get this transmission or any transmission flushed!) - takes 3 cycles to get transmission fluid completed. Only one done so far. Light still comes on and will not register a transmission code. Mechanic tells me not to worry unless you sense there is a genuine problem with shifting. Light may have to be on for a very long time for a code to register. JB1974 answered 2 months ago I had the same problem on my 2005 Pilot. The code read "4th gear clutch pressure sensor". My son is a mechanic and I told him that it shifted fine and he said that if the pressure is not right on the 4th gear band in the transmission, it could wears uneven or even out and that could mean alot more money fixing the transmission

98 people found this helpful.
560

I'm having this same issue but I drive a Honda Civic 2008. Engine light is on and the blinking "d" light, manual says relates to emissions and/or gas cap not closed properly. I had put gas the night before and yes gas cap loose so I tightened, turned car off and on light still blinking so didn't drive, when I got in car this morning, blinking light gone but engine light still on, manual says give it a day or so, meantime, I notice a slight hesitation when car "shifts" into 2nd (it's automatic so speed at 19/20 mph is what I assume 2nd is) but then drives fine. This is about the third time this incident has happened, having it checked but don't wish to go to dealer, let's hope regular mechanic has heard of this. I'll check fluids just to be sure but just had oil changed and transmission flushed not too long ago. My sister owns the same car but a year older and she's had no issues, guess I'm just lucky

56 people found this helpful.
190

Yes I'm in the same boat. O Boy ! I have three Honda cars. The issue is coming up on my 06 Civic last night. I have to say that our 01 Accord has a trany problem already. So 2 out of three is not very good odds for these transmissions. It appears Honda has a weak spot, I won't bother with our dealer here as they focus on sales not service. Thx I will recheck fluid levels but my Son did just do our service.JT.

19 people found this helpful.
780

I had the flashing D on and off for over a month. I took my 2007 HONDA PILOT to my independent HONDA mechanic but his computer diagnostic equipment was not able to detect any transmission problem. He advise me to take it to a HONDA dealership service department and if I am not satisfied he knows a transmission specialist and they can check it for him.. I went to a HONDA dealership and they would like to have a computer diagnostic machine do an analysis to my SUV for $125.00. I decided to go back to my mechanic and he took it to his transmission specialist. They did not find anything wrong with my transmission but advised me to replace the sensor because it diagnose the transmission based on the pressure from the transmission. The sensor was replaced at a cost of $125.00 and the flashing D never came back. It had been over a month since the sensor was replaced and it appears the problem is history.

78 people found this helpful.
820

what was the sensor called you replaced on your honda dbawiz

82 people found this helpful.
160

Same issue but also had engine light come on, and I have a 2009 Honda Fit Sport with 32K miles, not a Pilot. Turned engine off, flashing D disappeared, but engine light stayed on. No symptoms while driving whatsoever. Mechanic checked trans fluid level (which they had changed 60 days previously) and was perfect. They used a scanner to see if engine light corresponded to any actual problems, it didn't, they turned it off with the scanner. They said if it comes on again just come back. It's not an actual problem, so I guess, as another reviewer said, "phantom code" strikes again?

16 people found this helpful.
860

What's the name of the transmission sensor that you changed ?

86 people found this helpful.
210

Hello There, I got the same problem. Blinking D light. I went to Raynham Silko Honda for an oil change. When I went in, I did not have any problem with the vehicle. I left dealer with a problem. On my way back home, D start flashing. Is it a coincidence? I do not know. The next day I took the car to the dealer. They said it is the 4th gear sensor. Even though I had Honda forum document saying it is the sensor, dealer wanted to do a diagnosis ($116). It cost me total of about $325 to get it fixed. With little break cleaning job, I left with over $400 invoice.

21 people found this helpful.
250

I have a 2007 Honda Civic lx. I turned my car on this morning I had the check engine light on and the D flashing. But it's also sputtering. So I turned around and went home. I didn't want to chance going on the highway to work. I will update after I bring it to my mechanic.

25 people found this helpful.
760

Does the blinking D light clear itself if say the sensor was changed and all is ok. Or, do you need to have it cleared by a honda dealer

33 people found this helpful.
190

This has happen twice to I have 250,000 miles, once at 90,000 and once yesterday at the 250,000 change the tranny fluid go to an autozone and have them clear the code all should be fine.ONLY USE HONDA TRANSMISSION FLUID!!

19 people found this helpful.
220

I am having the same issues drive light keeps on blinking as well as engine light staying on however car drives totally fine. Issue just started this evening had no issues with engine light or drive light this morning.

22 people found this helpful.
760

Change your third and fourth gear pressure switches. And do the three times fluid change out. Blinking indicator light will clear itself. If you have a CEL, deal with that, based on what it tells you. Very easy to change the switches, under $75 bucks for both (ebay). Should take you about an hour. There is a video with pictures on the site. On the proper procudure. Double check your part numbers before ordering, and do replace the "crush" washers, as mine were corroded and would have failed due to salt corrosion.

43 people found this helpful.
40

Driving me nuts,changed timing belts and water pump then check engine light is on,changed coil and plugs check engine light still on.$2000 gone and the honda pilot 2009 is turning into a lemon and an inion.

4 people found this helpful.
120

Had this issue on the civic ex problem was the transmission mount gone bad...

12 people found this helpful.
220

2011 CRV I also had the flashing "D" It would start flashing after the car was driven about 3 miles. After the engine/trans was warmed up, the flashing would start in a few hundred feet. I ordered both the sensors from amazon ($79.00) part # 28600-RCR-004 (2nd clutch pressure switch) and #28600-RCL-003 (3rd clutch pressure switch). Both were very easy to remove, squeeze the single wire electrical connection to remove and unscrew the sensor with a 7/8" deep well socket or 22mm. Actually, in the end, the electrical connection was the problem, it seems that the wire that connects the 2nd clutch sensor was worn in two by an adjacent bracket. Looks like I should have checked before ordering the sensors.

22 people found this helpful.
270

I have a Honda Fit 2008 ? And the Engine light comes on and the D gear starts flashing ? And my cars just makes noise like it pulls it's self ? And idk what to do ? Or what is wrong with it ? It comes on and off ? I went to the Honda dealer and they still don't know ? Any idea ? Need help pls

27 people found this helpful.
100

My 2002 Honda Odyssey has the D drive indicator flushing. I took it to a mechanic; they replaced the O2 sensor but the issue is still there. He did not know afterwards the root cause of the issue.

10 people found this helpful.
70

Mine is 2007 Honda odyssey, yesterday in the morning I saw "Check Fuel cap" message. While returning back home in the evening, this message was gone, but after some time I saw engine light on and the D light blinking. I took it to a local mechanic, his sensor detected RVSE circuit error. He said it looks like reverse circuit code. May be the transmission fluid has become sticky. I agreed to get the fluid get changed Today. But Today engine light has gone without doing anything. Not sure what is Honda playing around with such errors

7 people found this helpful.
160

2007 Honda Odyssey. One day, the vehicle would suddenly "lurc" or "jutter" when accelerating, depending on the rate of acceleration. The faster you try to push her is when you get the "lurch." AND, yes, the flashing "D" drive indicator is also present, along with the Check Engine light, the TPMS light, and the VSA light. The dash is lit up like a frikkin' X-mas tree! I've gleaned a few troubleshooting steps to try just from the posts in this thread. I guess the first step is to let a dealer try to read the code from the transmission controller. But I'm guessing that'll cost me pretty big. Another couple of obvious things to go after seem to be the temperature sensor and the gear solenoid. Not "cheap" parts, but probably within my limited mechanical ability to replace. Sound reasonable?

16 people found this helpful.
60

My D light came on and kept blinking when I put my in my Honda CRV 2010 in the DRIVE position. The dealership ran the diagnosis test and it was the 2nd Gear Transmission Pressure Switch. It cost about $210 to change the switch. Seemed like a high price which is one reason I don't like to go to dealerships but at least they didn't tell me it was my whole transmission. Sounds like it's an issue with those pressure switches going bad.

6 people found this helpful.
50

I own a Honda Pilot 2011 in Tampa Florida i had the same issue 6 months ago my engine light came ON & D green light started flashing but my pilot was running fine & next day I took my pilot to local repair shop they said the code is showing something wrong inside transmission ,please check with your HONDA Dealer. I went there & they checked the code in there specific computer and found it was 3rd gear pressure switch and it's seal which was broken they replaced it which cost me$299.00+ tax .if any one of you has same problem please go to nearest HONDA Dealer & ask them to check the 3rd gear pressure switch & replace it.

5 people found this helpful.
90

I should have known better than to have my Honda Pilot (2011) serviced (60,000) just before vacation. I all of a sudden hate Honda since these seem to be standard problems. :(

9 people found this helpful.
20

Try changing transmission fluid with manufacturers preferred. Doing a transmission fluid flush can also help. If propblem persist and code indicates switch problem, then change the transmission fluid pressure switch/sensor

2 people found this helpful.
40

I am leary. I just took my 2009 Pilot to the dealer for a B12 service and three days later engine light comes on and blinking D. Turned car off and blinking D went away, but engine light is still on although car is running fine. Fluid levels all fine (as they better be having just had expensive service job!): I’m very nervous about returning to dealer for another wallet drain when the car is running fine.

4 people found this helpful.
50

Honda transmissions are decent transmissions. The gear pressure sensor switches are not. There are several switches that could trigger the dreaded flashing D. If possible avoid the Honda service shop charges and do it yourself or have a trusted mechanic do it for you. If possible have the transmission fluid flushed and changed when you replace the sensors if you have high mileage on the vehicle. Best of luck.

5 people found this helpful.
30

This just happen to me this morning. The "D" was blinking. I noticed I didnt close my gas cap all the way. I fixed it and no more blinking light.

3 people found this helpful.
80

I have a honda freed 2008, the D started flicking and engine check light came on, stopped to check the problem, what the hell, the car now can not move, no drive and reverse, someone who had the same problem, help?

8 people found this helpful.
10

CR-V 2012 same problem. Go to mechanic and hi found wire from transmission sensor cut of by mice or squirrel.. Simple repair.

1 people found this helpful.
40

Today on my way home from work. D green light flashing. Engine light on dash. Green light flash even in park. Just had oil change Saturday. Drives okay but sound a Lil funny when I pick up speed like it's in another gear. Is it the sensor?? I've had it almost 2 years, and glad it's still under warranty. It's has 91000 miles on it. Any suggestions?

4 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2008 Honda Civic, I just had the engine light and the D flashing happen this evening. It drives fine and I get my oil and fluids checked on a regular basis. From what I have read on here, the cause is either a sensor that has to be replaced, or gas lid not on all the way. I haven't got gas today so it can't be that. I am gonna try and go to Autozone and get them to run the computer check and see what they say.

2 people found this helpful.
30

I had honda odassy 2005 , I have some gear shifting issues and I bought to the mechanic, they said to do a fluid flush first, and the next day after , the engine light on and D lights start flashing, still waiting for the guy to get back to me.

3 people found this helpful.
10

2009 Honda Pilot exl, Chicago, IL This mourning My Drive D-Flashing Green, Engine light on, we just a oil-change about 2-3 weeks ago, I checked Transmission Fluids everything Good. & Shifting fine. NEED HELP !!!!!!

1 people found this helpful.
20

I have the same issue - 2009 Civic, except when the lights came on the car also refused to shift into fourth gear. Have not had time to check any of the suggestions - it just happened on my way home tonight.

2 people found this helpful.
40

Just solved this issue on a 2007 Pilot - D3 and D light on and blinking - engine light on - (would not shift into 4th) - mechanic changed out the transmission range sensor located near the fill tube. Issue solved. Code had come back as P0700 and P 0705. Opened up the sensor and the magnetic ribbons inside were all worn away - 182,000 miles.

4 people found this helpful.
20

Also have this problem.. D light is flashing while driving and car kind of jerks while driving also. Can anybody explain?

2 people found this helpful.

I had sluggish shifting from first, engine codes P0135, P0141, and P0748, a blinking D dashboard lights and many others (including every door). It turned out to be the alternator.

Same with my Honda Pilot 2011 exl I just remove battery cable for 15 seconds hook it up Now back to normal

My honda fit engine light came on and then when I began to drive the car felt like i was in park with a weird struggling noise and then the engine light began to flash like it was going to break down or something can anybody tell me why that would happen or cause it to happen

10

You might need to change air filter and spray a can of Mass Airflow Sensor cleaner at the MAF. Scotty Kilmer at Youtube will show you how to do it. I did it myself and problem solve with the check engine light.

1 people found this helpful.

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