1992 Accord Transmission shifts funny sometimes

Okay just got a 1992 honda accord automatic and sometimes when you stop at a light it will downshift to first and take off other times it wont downshift and stay in overdrive on take off

You need to take this car–pronto–to an independent transmission shop for examination.
(Don’t go to AAMCO, Lee Myles, Cottman, Mr. Transmission, or any other chain unless you want to be told that you need a new/overhauled transmission–whether you really do or not.)

A transmission that stays in overdrive (4th gear, probably) after coming to a stop is probably not long for this world, but only a transmission specialist can tell you for sure.

You DID have this car checked out by your mechanic, prior to purchase, didn’t you?
Did your mechanic note any problems with the transmission?

No sorry i didnt but i only paid 250 dollars for the car so i wasnt expecting much … So do you think it is likely the transmission is failing or a solenoid or a valve or what just a guess as to what it could be

I’m kind of wondering what the actual symptoms are. People have lots of different ways of interpreting what they think is going on with a car. So I’m not going to assume that the thing is staying in overdrive - unless you describe exactly what it does.

You can manually shift it down to whatever the lowest position is and then shift it up as you get moving.

Yes correct you can manually shift it and it will be fine but sometimes it will not do it automatically

The first thing I would do is get the trans fluid changed and the filter replaced, if it has one.
Don’t get a flush, maybe a fluid exchange.
Make sure they use a fluid Honda recommends, not some universal stuff.

Shift valve possibly, solenoid, speed sensor. All a possibility. A fluid change with a can of Berrymans Chemtool might loosen it up. I’d give it a try.

transman