bamapartsman

Vehicle has 217K miles, motor runs great but the vehicle acts like it's in neutral no matter what gear. The cable isn't broken and there are no codes showing up. The green "D" light isn't blinking. What diagnostic first step should I do before tearing into the trans? Fluid isn't burnt and looks and smells new. No abnormal noises at all. I don't have a history on the vehicle because I purchased it at a bank repo auction. I've worked on a few CVT's (Jatco's) so I am not afraid to tear into it but I didn't know if there was some common problem with these? Here is a short video showing the start up and which dash lights come on. Thanks for any possible help...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/64033584/324_1978.wmv

94EG8

Check and make sure the axles are fully seated in the transmission. Something tells me the trans is bad though. Honda never was known for building good CVTs

Mista Bone

Good luck trying to get parts for it if you tear into it. Honda won't let any techs at the dealerships inside the CVT's. They all get shipped to Marysville to be rebuilt.

bamapartsman

I am not worried about parts, the original mfg of the clutches, belts and pulleys have now released them to the aftermarket. You can buy them thru the Transtar system. I am mainly interested if there are any specific diagnostics that can tell if the start clutch is working or if there are maybe other common electronic issues.
710 CVT Kit w/ Drive Pulley, Driven Pulley & Belt (Cast PLY-15) (SLYA, MLYA)............. 1 01-05 40710AK
710 CVT Kit w/ Drive Pulley, Driven Pulley & Belt (Cast PWR-24) (SZCA)..................... 1 03-Up 40710CK

94EG8

You can get parts. I just checked Majestic Honda, it's all listed. They do the same thing with the regular ATs as well. The only reason they used to rebuild them at the dealer in the past was because Honda didn't sell them as a complete unit, at one point you had to order all the parts separately and assemble it when it showed up. Engines used to be the same way.

bamapartsman

Update: Began pulling trans and after pulling starter off I noticed something. Is the flywheel directly connected to the trans? There is a shiny metal disc that moves independent of the part with bolts that the manual says to remove. Is this metal disc supposed to move independent of the flywheel?

Nitrous1024

It sounds like you are describing the flexplate. The flywheel is attached to the engine by the use of the 6-12 bolts (which has the ring-gear on it). You had removed the starter from the transmission as expected but yes, it is typical for the shiny piece to move independently of each other.

CVT issues are usually due to a bad start clutch (in the transmission) (and shouldn't be confused with the starter motor) or one of the 4 solenoids in the transmission have gone bad.

bamapartsman

Went ahead and pulled trans and found the middle of the flywheel splines stripped. Since it has 237K and I don't know the history to be on the safe side I took the trans apart and removed the start clutch (had to make puller) the clutches looked new and with the snap ring installed there was minimal clearance, maybe .030... I pulled the valve body and checked all the valves, screens and did both a resistance test and click test on all solenoids which all worked. There was absolutely no material in the pan and the filter was clean. I ordered a seal kit and will reseal the trans and put back together this week. I found a flywheel with only 15K at a local yard for $150. I just hope it works after reassembly...I've built many transmissions but this is my first CVT.

Nitrous1024

I'm sorry to hear this. I'm wondering how could it have possibly happened. Many may joke about it saying that your engine is producing too much power and as such hence the reason why it had stripped in the first place. The last time you were successfully able to drive the car, was the RPM higher than usual?

94EG8

OP has never driven the car, it was purchased that way.

It's pretty common for people to abuse the **** out of vehicles they know are being repoed. I know a guy that bought a repoed F-150 at an auction, got it off the tow truck and realized it was seized. The owner drained the oil and coolant and ran it till it seized. Sucks but it happens.

Nitrous1024

This, I understand now

bamapartsman

That's correct, I've never driven the car, it was a repo and had been vandalized while sitting in the lot. (broken back glass) I got it REALLY cheap that's the only reason I tried to save it. Since the motor ran so good I figured If I could get it driving I could have a really cheap work car that gets great mileage. I will start reassembly tomorrow when UPS delivers the seal kit.

Nitrous1024

That sounds like a good deal. How much did it cost you?

wilsonkuo

Sorry, what happen after all? I have exact problem like you had now. Is a rebuilt tranny the only solution? Thank you.

wilsonkuo

i guess it had been too long and no one is still active?

Nitrous1024

I'm still convinced that it was either one of the internal seals or the "start" clutch that has gone bad. Looking at the 2001-2005 service manual, there are several possibilities.

wilsonkuo

Drained the tranny fluid out and found several chain pieces at the magnet part of the drain plug. Needs a new tranny for sure now.

Nitrous1024

There is no way your transmission could have been properly serviced. Even under heavy abuse, the most that should happen is that the CVT belt actually breaks or the CVT clutch wears out.