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Much better, Wayne

The tranny is computer controlled, and various solenoids do the
shifting. Auto trannies live or die because of the fluid you put in
them. Try wiping the dipstick on a sheet of paper and tell us what color
it is. Smell it too. It's probably smelling burnt.
If you perform a drain-n-fill on the tranny, make sure to use HONDA Z1,
or you'll create other problems. Is your shifter sluggish, or does it
'bind' ever? Have you had any electrical problems lately? Are you in a
RUST BELT city?

If it was mine I'd do a drain-n-fill ONCE and see if things get better,
but don't rule out the shifter linkage or a stuck solenoid.

You can remove the bottom end of the shifter linkage and see if the
cable is smooth or gummed up. Lube with silicone spray or graphite
spray. I know your car is older, but look in the Accord and Civic TSB's
regarding 'stuck keys / shifter linkage' to see if anything makes sense
to you.  http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/index.html#list

My $0.02

'Curly'

1988 Honda accord, 2.0 with automatic trans
Sorry for being extremely vague and confusing
Within 50 miles. The car is driven every day. anywhere from 5 to 50 miles a
day. It has been doing fine until today. I was driving the car in town to
the store when I stopped at a red light. When I took off again and the
transmission started shifting I noticed when it shifted into overdrive (4th)
it sounded like 2 gears slipping against each other (just like when you put
a transmission in park while the car is still rolling). It shifts and pulls
just fine in all other forward gears. When I got ready to leave the store
the car would not back up. It was like the transmission was not going into
reverse. I have checked the fluid, it was only 1/2 quart low. I filled it
back up to the full line but this did not help anything. ( it was checked on
level ground with the engine off)
Thank you for the reply, maybe this will help a little more.

                                                Wayne