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
,!
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
E position
The flow of fluid up to the drive pulley, the driven pulley' and the clutch reducing valve is the same as in E position The
pulley ratio is low b"car"" tt " o riu",i'prti"vi"""v"" t'igtr pressure.(pH) and the drive pulley receives low pressure {PL).
The manual valve is shifted into the B position, and it uncovers the port that leads reverse brake pressure (RVS) to the
reverse inhibitor valve. The inhibitoi Jenoid turns off by means of the TcM or PcM, and reverse inhibitor pressure (Rl) is
appliedtotherightendofthe,"u",""int,iui.o,u,|ve.Thereverseinhibitorva|vemovestothe|eftside,anduncoversthe
port that leads reverse brake pr"a"ur" tivst,o,he reverse brake. clutch reducing pressure (cR) becomes reverse brake
pressure (RVS) at the manuat *r"-, "nJ tro*" to the reverse brake. The reverse brake is engaged, and it locks the ring
gear.
NOTE: When used, "|eft" or "right" indicates direction on the hydraulic circuit'
(cont'd)
14-217
E position
The flow of fluid up to the drive pulley, the driven pulley' and the clutch reducing valve is the same as in E position'
Clutch reducing pressure (CR) t'"*" i" ii" start clut;h control valve, the manual valve, and the shift control valve' and is
intercepted bY those valves.
Under ihis condition, hydraulic pressure is not applied to the clutches and reverse braKe'
fr - --l
4t1.1 , 1'rltll
(cont'd)
14-219
Start Clutch Control@
T
Start Clutch Calibration Procedure
NOTE: When the following parts are replaced, the TCM
must memorize the feedback signal for the start clutch
control.
. TCM
. Transmissionassembly
. Stan clutch assembly
. Lower valve bodv assembly
. Engine assembly or overhaul
'96 Model Only
CAUTION: Do not uso this procsdure on'97 - (X) mod-
els or you will damage the transmission. On '97 - 00
models, the TCM or PCM memorizes ths loodback sig'
nals when you drive the vehicle.
1. Engage the parking brake, and block the front
wheels securely.
2. Connect the SCS service connector to the Service
Check Connector as shown. (The Service Check
connector (2P) is located under the dash on the
passenger's side of the vehicle.)
CONNECTOR07PAZ - lDl01(xt
Start the engine, and warm it up to normal operat-
ing temperature (the radiator fan comes on twice).
Fully depress the brake pedal and accelerator for 20
seconds in the E] position.
rl ,
CONNECTOR I2PI
14-293
7.
Shift into E o|. E position. To store the engine
negative pressure in memory. Iet the engine idle in
E or E position for one minute under the follow-
ing conditions:
. With the brake pedal depressed,
. with the y'\/c switch oFF.
. With the combination light switch OFF.
. With the heater fan switch OFF.
. Turn OFF all other electrical systems
NOTE: Start step 5 within 60 seconds after the radi-
ator fan goes off.
Shift into E position, and let the engine idle for two
minutes to store the feedback signal in memory
under the same conditions as in step 5.
Connect the Honda PGM Tester. Check that the TCM
has completed the start clutch calibration.
NOTE:
. The TCM will not store the feedback signal when
the CVT fluid temperature is below 40"C (104'F)
even if the engine coolant temperature reaches
the normal operating temperature.
. Repeat these procedures until the start clutch
calibration is completed-
Disconnect the SCS service connector from the
Service Check Connector.
'97 - 00 Models
The TCM ('97 - 98 models) and PCM ('99 - 00 models)
memorize the feedback signal when you drive the
vehicle as follows:
. After warming up the engine (the radiator fan
comes onl.
. Shift into E position.
. Turn OFF all electrical systems,
. Drive the vehicle up to the speed 37 mph (60
km/h).
. After the speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h),
release the accelerator for 5 seconds.
t.
rl,
fl,
PROBABLE CAUSE LIST
Low CVT fluid level
ATF pump worn. AT gears worn or damaged. Foreign material in ATF pump.
ATF pump chain/ATF pump sprocket worn or damaged.
Input shaft worn or damaged.
Sun gear worn or damaged.
Final driven oear worn or damaqed,
Secondary drive gear/secondary driven gear worn or damaged-
5
6
1
8Flywheel/drive plate worn or damaged.
Intermediate housing assembly worn or damaged.9
'10Forward clutch defective.
Shift cable broken/out of adiustment.
M"nu"t t"uffi
ATF feed pipe (pulley pressure) worn or damaged.
Vchiclc speed sensor defective.
TCM or PCM defective.
Reverse brake detective.
1' r
't2
13
14
16
'11
'18
1qPlanetary gear worn or damaged.
Sta rt clutch defective.
ATF feed pipe (start clutch pressure) worn or damaged
20
t't
Clutch clearance/reverse brake clearance incorrect.
23Reverse brake return spring/retainer worn or damaged
24Needle bearing on input shaft worn or damaged.
25Thrust needle bearing on carrier worn or damaged.
Thrust washer on carrier worn or damaged.
Enoine outout low.------------------------
Flvwhcel assemblv defective.
Control lever worn or damaged.
Park pawl/park pawl shaft worn or damaged
Detent lever/park brake rod assembly worn or damaged
27
29
30
32Park gear worn or damaged.
Park pawl spring worn or damaged.
ATF strainer/ATF filter clogged.
Lower valve body assembly defective.
Lower valve bodv assemblv defective (PL regulator valve body assembly defective)'
33
34
50
Lower valve bodv assembly defective (shift valve body assembly defective).
Lower valve bodv assemblv defective (start clutch control valve body assembly defective)'
39Lower valve bodv assemblv defective {inhibitor solenoid defective}
40Solenoid harness worn or damaged.
Manual valve body worn or damaged.
PB feedback system defective.
CVT fluid deteriorated.
41
43
14-295
Stall Speed
Test
CAUTION:
. To prevent transmission damage, do not test stall sp€€d for mole than 10 seconds at a time.
. Do not shift the lsver whils raising the engine speod.
. Be sure lo remove the pressure gauge before tosting stall speed.
. Stall speed tssts should be used tor diagnostic purposes only,
1. Engage the parking brake, and block the tront wheels.
2. Connect a tachometer to the engine, and stan the engine.
3. Make sure the A/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 8 seconds, and note engine speed,
6. Allow two minutes for cooling, then repeat the test in E, E, and E positions.
Stall Speed BPM in E poshion:
Specification: 2,500 rpm
Servic€ Limit: 2,350 - 2.650 rpm
Stall Speed RPM in E, E and E positions:
Specitication: 3,000 rpm
Service Limit: 2,800 - 3,100 rpm
TROUBLEPROBABLE CAUSE
Stall rpm high in @. p. [, and @ positionsLow fluid level or ATF pump output
Clogged ATF strain€r
PH regulator valve stuck closed
Slippage of forward clutch
Faulty start clutch
Stall rpm high in E position. Slippage of reverse brake. Faulty start clutch
Stall rpm low in E, P, [, and @ positionsEngine output low
Faulty stan clutch
Stuck shift valve
14-294