1996 HONDA CIVIC iat

Stall Speed
Test
CAUTION:
. To prev€nt transmission damage, do not t6st stall speed for more than ro sgconds at a time.. Do not shift the levor while raising the engine speed.. Bo sule lo remove the pressure gauge betoro testing stall speed.
'1. Engage the parking brake, and block the front wheels.
2. Connect a tachometer to the engine, and start the engine.
3. Make sure the Ay'C switch is OFF.
4. After the engine has warmed up to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on). shift into E position.
5. Fully depress the brake pedal and accelerator for 6 to g seconds, and note engine speed.
6. Allow two minutes for cooling, then repeat the test in @ and @ positions.
NOTE:
. Stall speed tests should be used for diagnostic purposes only,. Stall speed should be the same in o., E and E positions.
Stall Spsed RPM:
Specification: 2.700 rpm
Service Limit: 2,550 - 2,850 rDm
TROUBLEPROBABLE CAUSE
. Low fluid level or ATF pump outDur. Clogged ATF strainer. Pressure regulator valve sluck closeo. Slipping clutch
. Slippage of 4th ctutch
. Slippage of 2nd clutch
. Slippage of lst clut"tr or. t"t g""io*-*"y "lut"h
Stall rpm high in D., E and E positions
Stall rpm high in El position
Stall rpm high in E posirion
Stall rpm high in E position
Stall rpm low in LDa . El and E positrons. Engine output low. Torque converter one-way clutch slipping
14-116

Fluid Level
Ghecking
NOTE: Keep all foreign particles out of the transmis-
sron.
1.Warm up the engine to normal operating tempera-
ture (the radiator fan comes on)
Park the vehicle on the level ground, then turn off
the engrne.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the trans-
mission. and wipe it with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick into the transmrssron
Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level lt
should be between the upper mark and lower
marks.
UPPER MABKLOWER MARK
lf the level is below the lower mark, pour the recom-
mended fluid into the tiller hole to bring it to the
upper mark. Always use Genuine Honda Premium
Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Using
a non-Honda ATF can affect shift quality
K
L
DIPSTICK IYELLOW LOOPI
7. Insert the dipstick back into the transmission in the
direction shown.
FRONT
Installthe dipstick in the extent
of the direction shown.
14-117

Fluid Level
Changing
NOT€: Keep all foreign particles out of the transmis-sion.
'1.Bring the transmission up to operating temperature(the radiator fan comes on) by driving the vehicle.
Park the vehicle on the level ground, and turn theengine off.
Remove the drain plug. and drain the automatictransmission fluid (ATF).
NOTE: lf a cooler flusher is to be used, see page 14-187 and 14-188.
TRANSMISgION END OOVER
DNAIN PLUG18 x 1.5 mm49 N.m (5.0 kgtm, 36lbf.ftlSEALING WASHERReplace.
Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer,then refill the transmission with the recommended
fluid into the filler hole to the upper mark on thedipstick. Always use Genuine Honda premium
Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Usinga non-Honda ATF can aftect shift quality.
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity:
2.7 | |'2.9 US ql,2.a lmp qtl at Ghlnging
5.9 f 16.2 US qt. 5.2 lmp qt) at overhaul
I
14-11A

Reverse ldler GearPark Stop
lnstallation
1, lnstall the reverse idler gear.
Install the reverse idler gear shaft holder and needle
bearing into the transmission housing, then tighten
the bolts.
6 x 1.0 mm12 N.m ll .2 kgf'm,
8.7 tbf.ftl
GEAR
'1.
Inspection/Adiustment
Set the park lever in the E position.
Measure the distance between the park pawl shaft
and the park lever roller pin as ahown.
STANDARD: 72.9 - 73.9 mm 12.87 - 2.91 inl
PARK PAWLSHAFT
lf the measurement is out of tolerance, select and
install the appropriate park stop from the table
Delow.
PARK STOP
PARK STOP
After replacing the park stop, make sure the dis-
tance is within tolerance.
/A\Measuring\v
MarkPart Numb€rLr12
I24537-PAg-00311.00 mm
(0.433 in)
11.00 mm
(0.433 in)
24538-PAg-00310.80 mm(0.425 in)
10.65 mm
(0.419 in)
24539-PAg-00310.60 mm(0.417 in)
10.30 mm(0.406 in)
14-175

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVTI
Special Tools ................ 14-194
Description .................... 14-195
Clutches/Reverse Brake/Planetary
Gear/Pulleys .......... 14-198
power Flow ..............,..... 14-200
Electronic Control SYstem(,96 - 98 Modets) ......14-203
Electronic Control System
('99 - oo Models) " 14-205
Hydraulic Control '....... 14-208
Hydraulic Flow .'..-.....'... '14-212
Park Mechanism .....-...'.' 14-222
Eleqtrical Systom
Component Locations'96 - 98 Models """"""' 14-224,99 - 00 Modets ............. 14-225
TCM Circuit Diagram ('96 - 98 Models) ............. 14-226
TCM Terminal Voltage/Measuring Condiiions ('96 - 98 Models) '.... 14-228
PcM Circuit Oiaqram{A/T Control System: '99 - 00 Models} ...--.... 14-230
PCM Terminal Voltage/Measuring Conditions('99 - 00 Models)
A/4 Control System .'.'...14-232
Troubleshooting Procedures ... . .... .....',........."' '14-234
Symptom-to-ComPonent Chart
Electrical System - '96 - 98 Models ......'..... '14-234
Electrical System -'99 - 00 Models ..'....-..-. '11-210
Electrical Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Flowcharts('96 - 98 Models) """'11-242
Troubleshooting Flowchart
('99 - 0O Modets) ...... 14-265
Linear Solenoids/lnhibitor Solenoid
Test ......................... . ...... 14-29f
Drive Pulley/Driven Pulley/Secondary Gear
Shaft Speed Sensors
Replacement .........'...... .14-292
Start Clutch Control
Start Clutch Calibration Procedure ....... ....,. 14-293
Hydraulic SYstem
Symptom-to-ComPonent Chart
Hydraulic System '.'.......14-294
Road Test ............................ 14-296
Stall Speed
Test......................... ...... 14-294
Fluid Level
Checking/Changing ....... 14-299
Pressure Testing ................. 14-300
Lower Valve BodY AssemblY
Replacement ..........,... 14-302
ATF Filter
Removal/lnstallation ..... 14-303
Transmission
Transmission
Removal ........... . 14-304
lllustrated Index
Transmission/Lower Valve BodY
Assembly ................. 14-308
Transmission Housing/Flywheel Housing ... 14-310
End Cover/f ntermediate Housing ..........'.'.... 14-312
Transmission Housing/Lower Valve Body Assembly
Removal ..........'.... .. " 14-314
Transmission Housing/Flywhesl Housing
Removal ................. ........ 1+316
End Cover/lntermediate Housing
14-318Removal .........,...............
Manual Valve Body
Disassembly/lnspection/Reassemblv .'.'.'..... 1 4-320
Forward Clutch
lltustrated Index ........................................ 14-321
Disassemblv .................. 14-322
Reassemblv , ,, . ',','......14-324
Secondary Gear Shaft
25 x 35 mm Thrust Shim Selection ..'.'....-... 14-324
Differential
lllustrated lndex ...,.....................,.,...-.-.-...'... 14-329
Backlash Inspection .-....14-329
Bearing Replacement ......'........'....'... ....'... 14-330
Differential Carrier Replacement ........'........ 14-330
Oil Seal Removal ........... 14-331
Oil Seal Installation/Side Clearance ....... . . 14-331
Flywheel Housing Input Shaft Oil Seal
Replacement .....,.... ...'.'.. 14-333
Transmission Housing Bearings
Driven Pulley Shaft Bearing
Replacenient ...................'. . ...................'.. 14-334
Secondary Gear Shaft Bearing
Reolacbment ...................... . .......... . ........ 14-335
Flywheel Housing Beating
Secondary Gear Shaft BearingReo1acement..................,........................... 14-335
Ring Gear Bearing
Replacement......... ........ 14-336
Control Shaft Assembly
Removal/lnstallation ....................'........... 14-336
Transmission
Reassembly .................. 14-338
Flywheel/Drive Plate .. . ...... . ...... ... . ....-.....'.'...14-341
Transmission
lnstalation ..................... 14-348
Cooler Flushing .'......... 14-352
shift cable
Removal/lnstallation....'........." """ 14-354
Adjustment .......'........ 14-355
Shift Lever ........................,. 14'356
Shift Indicator Panel
Adjustment ................ 14-357
ATF Cooler/Hoses
lnsta llation ......,,...... .... 14-357

Description
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is an electronically controlled automatic transmission with drive and driv
en Oullevs, and a steel belt. The CVT provides non stage speeds forward and one reverse. The entire unit is positioned in
line with the engine.
Transmission
Around the outside of the flywheel is a ring gear which meshes with the starter pinion when the engine is being staned.
The transmission has four parallel shafts: the input shaft, the drive pulley shaft. the driven pulley shaft, and the secondary
gear shaft. The input shaft is in line with the engine crankshaft. The drive pulley shaft and the driven pulley shaft consist of
movable and fixed face pulleys. Both pulleys are linked by the steel belt.
The input shaft includes the sun gear. The drive pulley shaft includes the forward clutch which mounts the carrier assem-
bly on the forward clutch drum. The carrier assembly includes the pinion gears which mesh with the sun gear and the ring
gear. The ring gear has a hub-mounted reverse brake disc.
The driven pulley shaft includes the start clutch and the secondary drive gear which is integral with the park gear' The sec-
ondary gear shaft is positioned between the secondary drive gear and the final driven gear. The secondary gear shaft
includes the secondary driven gear which serves to change the rotation direction. because the drive pulley shaft and the
driven oullev shaft rotate the same direction. When certain combinations of planetary gears in the transmission are
engaged by the clutches and the reverse brake, power is transmitted from the drive pulley shaft to the driven pulley shaft
to provide E, E, E, and El.
Electronic Control'96 - 98 Models:
The electronic control system consists of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), sensors, three linear solenoids, and a
inhibitor solenoid. Shifting is electronically controlled under all conditions'
The TCM is located below the dashboard, behind the kick panel on the driver's side.'99 - 00 Models:
The electronic control svstem consists of a Powertrain Control Module (PCM), sensors, three linear solenoids and an
inhibitor solenoid. Shifting is electronically controlled under all conditions. A Grade Logic Control System to control shift-
ing in E position while the vehicle is ascending or descending a slope.
The PCM is located below the dashboard, under the kick panel on the passenger's side.
Hydraulic Control
The lower valve body assembly includes the main valve body, the Pressure Low (PL) reguiator valve body, the shift valve
body, the start clutch control valve body, and the secondary valve body. They are positioned on the lower part of the
transmission housing.
The main valve body contains the Pressure High (PH) control valve, the lubrication valve, and the pitot regulator valve.
The secondary valve body contains the PH regulator valve, the clutch reducing valve, the start clutch valve accumulator,
and the shift inhibitor valve. The PL regulator valve body contains the PL regulator valve and the PH-PL control valve
which is ioined to the PH,PL control linear solenoid. The inhibitor solenoid valve is bolted on the PL regulator valve body.
The shift valve body contains the shift valve and the shift control valve. which is joined to the shift control linear solenoid.
The start clutch control valve body contains the start clutch control valve, which is joined to the start clutch control linear
solenoid. The linear solenoids and the inhibitor solenoid are controlled by the TCM or PCM. The manual valve body which
contains the manual valve and the reverse inhibitor valve, is bolted on the intermediate housing.
The ATF pump assembly is located on the transmission housing, and is linked with the input shaft by the sprockets and
the sprocket chain. The pulleys and the clutch receive fluid from their respective feed pipes, and the reverse brake receives
fluid from internal hydraulic circuit.
Shift Control Mechanism
Input from various sensors located throughout the vehicle determines which linear solenoid the TCM or PCM will activate.
Activating the shift control linear solenoid changes the shift control valve pressure, causing the shift valve to move. This
pressurizes the drive pulley pressure to the drive pulley and the driven pulley pressure to the driven pulley and changes
their effective pulley ratio. Activating the start clutch control linear solenoid moves the start clutch control valve. The start
clutch control valve uncovers the port, providing pressure to the start clutch to engage it(cont'd)
14-195
,!

Description
Clutches/Reverse Brake/Planetary Gear/Pulleys
Clulches/Reverse Brake
The CVT uses the hydraulically-actuated clutches and brake to engage or disengage the transmission gears. When
hydraulic pressure is introduced into the clutch drum and the reverse brake piston cavity, the clutch piston and the reverse
brake piston move. This presses the friction djscs and the steel plates together, locking them so they don't slip. Power is
then transmitted through the engaged clutch pack to its hub-mounted gear. and through engaged ring gear to pinion
gears.
Likewise, when the hydraulic pressure is bled from the clutch pack and the reverse brake piston cavity, the piston releases
the friction discs and the steel plates, and they are free to slide past each. This allows the gear to spin independently on its
shaft, transmitting no power.
Start Clutch
The start clutch, which is located at the end of the driven pulley shaft, engages/disengages the secondary drive gear.
The start clutch is supplied hydraulic pressure by its ATF feed pipes within the driven pulley shaft.
Forward Clutch
The forward clutch, which is located at the end of the drive pulley shaft, engages/disengages the sun gear.
The forward clutch is supplied hydraulic pressure by its ATF feed pipe within the drive pulley shaft.
Reverse Brake
The reverse brake, which is located inside the inte.mediate housing around the ring gear, locks the ring gear in E posi-
tion. The reverse brake discs are mounted to the ring gear and the reverse brake plates are mounted to the intermediate
housing. The reverse brake is supplied hydraulic pressure by a circuit connected to the internal hydraulic circuit.
Planetary Gear
The planetary gear consists of a sun gear, a carrier assembly, and a ring gear. The sun gear is connected to the input shaft
with splines. The pinion gears are mounted to the carrier which is mounted to the fo.ward clutch drum. The sun gear
inputs the engine power via the input shaft to the planetary gear, and the carrier outputs the engine power. The ring gear
is only used for switching the rotation direction of the pullev shafts,
In E. E, and E positions (forward range), the pinion gears don't rotate and revolve with the sun gear, so the carrier
rotates. In E] positjon {reverse range), the reverse brake locks the ring gear and the sun gear drives the pinion gears to
rotate. The pinion gears rotate and revolve in the opposite direction from the rotation direction of the sun gear, and the
carrier rotates with pinion gear revolution.
Pulleys
Each pulley consists of a movable face and a fixed face, and the effective pulley .atio changes with engine speed. The
drive pulley and the driven pulley are linked by the steel belt.
To achieve a low pulley ratio, high hydraulic pressure works on the movable face of the driven pulley and reduces the
effective diameter of the drive pulley. and a lower hydraulic pressure works on the movable face of the drive pulley to
eliminate the steel belt slippage. To achieve a high pulley ratio, high hydraulic pressure works on the movable face of the
drive pulley and reduces the eifective diameter of the driven pulley, and a lower hydraulic pressure works on the movable
face of the driven pulley to eliminate the steel belt slippage.
b
14-198

Shift Valve BodY
The shift valve body contains the shift valve and the shift control valve. Both are ioined to the shift control linear solenoro.
r tl'ft1il1rf"","" is controred by shift varve pressure (sV) from the shift contror varve. The shift varve distributes pH
pi""aur" "nO PL pressure to drive pulley and the driven pulley' to shift the transmission'
t t*"rilf:::lr';ivarve contrors the shift varve in accordance with the throttre opening and vehicle speed rhe shift
control valve is convorr"o uv ti" "iirt "ontrol linear solenoid, which is controlled by the TcM or PcM When the elec-
tronic control system is faulty, t;; snift controt uutue "witches the shift inhibitor valve to uncover the port leading the
pitot regulator pressure to the start clutch
CONTROL VALVE
VALVE BODY
T;J:"i"""1ff"t""ilody contains the manuar varve and the reverse inhibitor varve. The manuat varve bodv is borted to the
intermediate houslng
. ManualValve
The manual valve mechanicallY uncovers/covers the fluid passage according to the shift lever position'
'
ff:e;;;.'::'?Xftl::T",* is contro ed by the reverse inhibitor pressure (Rl). lt intercepts the hvdraulic circuit to the
reverse brake while the vehicle is moving forward at speeds over approximatelv 6 mph (10 km/h)'
REV€RSE INHIBITORVALVE
MANUAL VALVEBODY
SHIFT CONTROL
MANUAL VALVE
14-211