1996 HONDA CIVIC Automatic

6. Remove the transmission housing mounting bolts
and the rear engine mounting bolt.
Disconnect the shift control solenoid, the linear sole-
noid, and the mainshaft speed sensor connectors'7.
SHIFT CONTROLSOLENOID CONNECTORLINEAR SOLENOIDCONNECTOR
MOUNTING BOLTS
BRACKET
8. Remove the drain plug, and drain the automatic
transmission fluid (ATF). Reinstall the drain plug
with a new sealing washer.
DRAIN PLUG18 x 1.5 mm'9 N m t5 o kgf'm' 36 lbf'ft|
9. Remove the splash shield.
Replace.
SPLASH SHIELD
{cont'd)
14-123

Shift Cable
Adjustment
@ Make sure lifts are ptaced properly (see
section 1).
1. Remove the front console (see section Z0l.
2. Shift to @ position. then remove the lock pin fromthe adiuster.
7 N.m (0.75 tbtftlkgtm.
14-190
3. Check that the hole in the adjuster is perfectlyaligned with the hole in the shift cable. There aretwo holes in the adjuster. They are positioned 90.apart to allow cable adjustment in 1/4 turn incre-ments.
ExactAlignment
4. lf the hole is not perfectly aligned, loosen the lock-nut on the adjuster and adjust as required.
5. Tighten the tocknut to 7 N.m (0.7 kgf.m, 5 tbf.ft).
6. Install the lock pin on the adjuster. lf you feel thelock pin binding as you reinstall it, the cable is stillout of adjustment and must be readjusted.
7. Make sure the lock pin is seated in the adjustersecuretv.
8. Move the shift lever to each gear, and verify that theshift position indicator follows the automatic trans-axle gear position switch.
9. Start the engine, and check the shift lever in allgears. lf any gear does not work properly, refer totroubleshooting (see page 14-109 thru 1'4-'112).
10. Insert the ignition key into the key cylinder on theAy'T gear position indicator panel, and verify that theshift lock lever is released.
CableToo ShortCableToo Long

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
(cont'd)
Gear Sel€stion
The shift lever has six positions: @ pARK, E REVERSE, E NEUTRAL, E DR|VE, g SECOND, and El LOW.
Staning is possible only in E and E positions through the use of a slid6-type, neutrafsafety switch.
Automrtic Transaxle {A/T} Gear Position Indicltor
The A-lT gear position indicator in the instrument panel shows which gear has been selected without having to look downat the console.
PoshionDe3cription
E PARK
E REVEBSE
E NEUTRAL
D DRIVE
E SECOND
E LOW
Front wheels locked; park pawl engaged with the park gear on the driven pulley shaft. The startclutch and the forward clutch released.
Reverse; reverse brake engaged.
Neutral; the start clutch and the forward clutch released.
General driving; the transmission automatically adjusts to keep the engine at the best speed fordriving conditions.
For rapid accelsration at highway speeds; the transmission shifts into a lower range of ratios forbetter acceleration and increased engine braking.
For engine braking and power for climbinO; the transmission shifts into the lowest range of theralros.
l-
14-196

Component Locations
36 - 98 Models
BRAKE SWITCH
DRIVEN PULLEYSPEED SENSOR
INHIBITOR SOLENOID
ENGINE CONTROLMODULE IECMI
SECONDARY GEAR SHAFTSPEEO SENSOR
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (A/T}GEAR POSITION SWITCI{
MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE
VEHICLE SPEEO SENSOR{vss}
IMAPI SENSOR
THROTTI.I POSITION {TPISENSOR
PH.PL CONTROLLINEAR SOLENOID
/i/ i,' / ,','4
,i/:1
t"--.---.- i,,
-_,-:-_a.--:
il
START CLUTCH CONTROLLINEAR SOLENOIDPULLEY
SHIFT CONTROLLINEAR SOLENOTD
$r,
14-224
h
SPEED SENSOR

'99 - 00 Models
CONTROL
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IA/TI
GEAR POS]TION SW]TCH
MANIFOLD ABSOLUTESECONDANY GEAR SHAFT
SPEED SENSORIMAPI SENSOR
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR
tvss)
THROTTLE POS]TION ITP)SENSOR
PH.PL CONTBOLLINEAB SOLENOIO
DNVEN PUL]-EY
SPEED SENSOR
START CLUTCH CONTROL
PULLEY
SHIFT CONTROLLINEAR SOLENOIO
LINEAR SOIENOID
SPEED SENSOR
14-225

Fluid Level
l.Checking/Changing
CAUTION: while chscking and changing, be sure not to
allow dust and other toreign particles to ent€l inlo the
transmission.
Checking
NOTE: Check the fluid level with the engine at normal
operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).
'1. Park the vehicle on the level ground. Turn oft the
engrne.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the trans-
mission, and wipe lt with a clean cloth.
NOTE: Check the transmission fluid 50 to 90 sec-
onds after shutting off the engine.
3. Insert the diDstick into the transmission.
DIPSTICK (YELLOW LOOPI
Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level.
should be between the uDDer and lower mark.DIPSTICK
5. lf the level is below the lower mark, add fluid into
the filler hole to bring it to the upper mark. Use
Genuine Honda CW Fluid only.
6. Insert the dipstick into the transmission.
14-299
Changing
1. Bring the transmission up to normal operating tem-
perature (the radiator fan comes on) by driving the
vehicle. Park the vehicle on the level ground, and
turn off the engine.
2. Bemove the drain plug, and drain the CVT fluid.
NOTE| lf a cooler flusher is to be used, see page 14-
352 and 14-353.
Reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer,
then refill the transmission with Genuine Honda
CVT Fluid to the upper mark on the dipstick.
Automatic Transmission Fluid CaPacity:
3.9 i (4.r US qt. 3.4 lmp qt) 8t chlnging
6.4 I (6.8 US qt, 5.6 lmp qt) 8t ov€lhaul
Rscommended Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Genuine Honda CVT Fluid-
Use Genuine Honda CW fluid only. Using other flu-
ids can affect transmission operation and may
reduce transmission liJe.
Change Interval:
Normal Condition: 30, 000 miles 148,000 km)
Severe Condition: 30,000 miles (48,000 km), but it
you drive at high sPeeds in high
t90"F (32'C) and abovol temper-
atures, the ttansmission fluid
should be changed evsrY 15,000
miles 124,000 km).
{-]lr
ORAIN PLUG18 x 1.5 mma9 N.7n (5.0 kgl.m, 36 lb{'ftl
SEALING WASHERReplace.

Pressure Control
Low assist at higher speeds:
WhensteeringresistanceIsIow,suchaswhendrivingathighspeeds,orwhendrivingstraightahead,theinputshaftis
near or in the neutral position, so there is little or no fiow ro any of the power cylinder orifices. Most oI the feed pressure
fromthepumpisbypassedtothereservoir.Becauseofthis,thepressurestaysthesameinbothsidesofthepowercy||n-
der, resulting in low or no asslst
VALVE From PUMP
SECTION A-A
RETURN PASSAGElTo RESERVOIRI
POWER CYLINDER
STEERING GEARBOX
High assist at lower speeds:
When steering resistance is high. such as when driving at low speeds' or when turning the wheel wirh the vehicle
stopped,thedifference|nang|ecreatedbetweentheinputshaftandtheVa|veopensthef|uidpassageononeside,and
c|osesthefluidpassageontheotherside,ateachpairoforifices'Thef|uidpressureincreasesinthesideo|thepower
cy|inder|edbythe|argerf|uidpassage'Thisincreasedpressurepushesontherackpiston,a|lowingthesteeringwhee|to
be turned with light effort. on the other side of the power cylinder, the return passage opens allowing the steering tluid to
returnthroUghtheinputshafttothereservoir'Thef|uidpassagestothepowercy|inderautomatica||ychangeins|ze,
increasing as the steering resrstance increases. In other words, the passages become larger and power assist increases
when the steering effort would normally be high, (for example' when parking or making low speed turns)' and the pas-
sagesbecomesma||erandpowerassistdecreaseswhenthesteeringeffortwou|dnorma||ybe|ow,(forexamp|e,when
driving at high speeds or straight ahead).
FLUIO PASSAGE TO
POWER CYLINDER
/t=\\a!-4,))
=YjJ
RESERVOIR
SECTION A-A
l'
{High fluid Pressure}