CVT Jerking Problem, Need Help

[dgraham0731]

Hi All,

I have a 2001 CVT that has a problem with jerking at speeds between 25-40 mph.
I bought it in February of this year when it was cold and it did this. When summer came and it started to warm up the problem went completely away and I had forgotten about it. Now that it is winter and cold again it has started doing the same thing. It only does it when accelerating and the electric motor assist is engaged. If I decrease the acceleration and the bars for the electric motor are not showing it stops jerking, but I am still accelerating with the gas motor, then when I get past around 45 mph I can accelerate using the electric motor assist and it doesn't jerk any longer.

I thought that it might be the EGR plate, but no one has mentioned anything about the summer/winter factor, so I thought it may be something else.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Hugh-Falls]

To start with, you may want to check and change the fluid in the transmission because the additives in the fluid will "wear out". Use only genuine Honda CVT Fluid and change it on schedule.

[dgraham0731]

When I first got the car earlier this year, I had the transmission fluid changed, because I had no idea when it had been done.

It seems like if I get about 5 bars on the electric motor it is fine, but if I try to push it a little harder on acceleration it will jerk and buck, then if I go back to just the 5 bars it is fine.

Like I said before, it only does this when the weather is cold, below 40 degrees. Otherwise I can push it as hard as I like and it doesn"t jerk or buck.

So, is there any way it has something to do with the electric motor assist system?

Thanks.

[aisbell]

I've never read about jerking or bucking caused by the IMA motor. If it were to blame, I would expect a warning light to illuminate and a diagnostic trouble code to be set. But not every problem can be diagnosed automatically, so maybe your problem is one of these rare ones.

My guess would be a CVT-related problem. Maybe under higher power conditions, the start clutch or drive belts are slipping. Do you notice the engine RPM varying when this jerking and bucking occurs?

[Need4Speed]

Check your motor mounts.

[Hugh-Falls]

The transmission control module or some transmission sensors/switches may be malfunctioning. The service manual does list the appropriate codes for the electronic transmission defects.

Belt slippage is highly unlikely. Start up clutch slippage could show up when increased torque is applied to the transmission (higher level of assist at peak IC engine torque output) which appears to be what you describe.

There is a conditioning procedure for the start up clutch that has been described on several threads here. Be sure to drain the CVT fluid and flush the cooler section if you decide to try this drastic remedy because metal particles and debris may be released thereby from the start up clutch plates.

[randerson0248]

Fluid changed with Honda CVT Fluid or something else?