CVT Transmission Issues

[KimberKenobi]

I tried to search this (so forgive me if I'm pulling a "noob" thing) but the only related thread I could find was a forum related to Altimas (which I was able to find via Google)... (cvt-issues-do-we-have-a-design-problem- ... 45779.html)

So, I have identified one other Versa owner who is having CVT issues (ironically one living in my state - Hi, Jamie!) and my service guy has stated he will replace my CVT once it gets closer to the mileage (as he can't duplicate the issue) but I'd like to know what the heck is wrong with it...

So occasionally when I'm accelerating up hill the speedometer will suddenly drop to 0 and my CVT will not shift into the higher gears... it effectively locks up, much like I'd imagine the 'limp mode' might do... it does that until the car comes to a complete stop and then it works normally. It never throws a code (no engine code and they have tried reading the CVT control device thingy) and usually when I notice it is if the vehicle loses traction (like on ice or if I hit a bump at the top of the hill I'm accelerating up)

There is a on ramp that I have to use when going home from work which is particularly steep and uneven at the top and this is where all but 1 of my instances of this happening have happened to me... it has happened only twice to my husband and he was accelerating while driving on flat ground... I was not in the Camel at the time. I have once thought the CVT was acting up while driving on flat ground, but it didn't do the same stuff it does the rest of the time so I wasn't sure if it really messed up or not... now I'm just going to ramble so I'll leave this for now...

[Andrews Chalmers]

Isn't there a 10 year warranty?

The ECU should have a code for this.

[KimberKenobi]

Yes then No.
"my service guy has stated he will replace my CVT once it gets closer to the mileage" and "It never throws a code"
...

How many miles is your at? I'll find out what Jamie's is at too...

*EDIT* Jamie speculated that the speed sensor got moisture in it as his does the speedo-thing too but I don't think this explains the CVT failing to shift...

[kc5f]

Ouch! Maybe you can get the service guy to put that in writing, to cover you when one of you gets rear-ended when it happens. We have plenty of steep hills here in the Blue Ridge, and none of our three has ever had anything remotely like that happen. (125k, 95k and 80k miles.) Good luck, Kimber!

[KimberKenobi]

you know, I'd really rather that I have a fluke... it's good to hear from you in particular as with you it's 3 V's with high mileage so a good sample XoD

Having a fluke still makes me wonder (and furiously hope) that replacing the trans will solve the problem, but also makes me wonder if it could be that something else went horribly ary...

I guess we shall see...

[amsrms]

Get the replacement done ASAP. I have 128500 on the car, now the transmission goes...8500 out of warranty....$5000 to Fix. FML

[KimberKenobi]

cr@p, that sucks. I called today and I'm getting a new trans soon. what happened when yours went out?

[alonsorules8.1]

Hey Kimber mine goes to the shop tomorrow at 95,000, when I make a sharp turn and lightly hit the gas it goes fin till 20mph, then it's like someone pushed the clutch in and then a second later returns to normal, I'm thinking/ hoping mine is a simple cpu re-flash will fix my issue but it could be CVT related as well.

[KimberKenobi]

At 95k, if it's going to be the transmission, hope it's the trans so you can get that CVT replaced under warranty!

[alonsorules8.1]

they couldn't reproduce the issue, and found no codes so it's a wait and see if the problem worsens by the time I hit 124K.

[iluvmyVersa08]

I'm at 59k (kms not miles), and occasionally slipping does happen when driving , but aside from not starting numerous times, the car doesn't show any codes. Dealer said if the issue continues and the engine gets any louder that they will replace it ... I'm glad the CVT has such a long warranty, I still have a lot of coverage left.

Let us know what ends up happenings.

[KimberKenobi]

Hey luv - if it's not starting, make sure you don't have a faulty fuel pump... I know there was a known issue with the 2007's and I'm not sure when the upgraded the part on the ones out of the factory...

When I dropped the Camel off on Friday it did the weird thing right before I got to the dealership so I was fortunate in that the unit had some codes! (the Check engine light never came on as the codes weren't through that control unit) The codes showed that it was indeed the transmission that was bad and a new one is on order... hooorah!!! I'm glad we know what is really wrong and that it will be fixed correctly.

A troubling aspect of this issue appears to be that if it does act up either it doesn't always throw a code or that code can get erased. It's only luck (and possibly further proof of my declining transmission) that it happened so close to the dealership so that the codes were left in the system. (the guy said there were multiple codes but I didn't find out exactly which ones.... let me know if I should gather this info for the board.)

[alonsorules8.1]

Hey KiberKenobi, It would be awesome if you could get the codes so that we can know what codes to look for when we have CVT issues. thanks.

[veronicatheV]

I think I read on the altima forums that when there are CVT issues it throws a whole boat load of codes at once. I think 6+ maybe, good luck with your CVT hopefully its something small that can be fixed with the computer instead of manual labor.