2007 Maxima CVT...is this normal or not?

[robo_geek]

This has happened twice, and not sure if this is totally normal. This is not something I do everyday, but here goes.

a) Launch the car hard enough to chirp the front wheels off the line in normal CVT auto mode
b) lift off the throttle at around 5,000 rpm at around 50mph

Here's where it gets a bit strange:

Even though I've lifted throttle, and going around 50 mph, the CVT seems to still be happy to be in low range, and it feels like the torque convertor is locked. So there I am, going 50 mph with almost no throttle input, buzzing along at 5,000 RPM with MASSIVE amounts of engine braking. After a couple of seconds, when the revs finally drop a bit, the CVT 'catches up' and works normally. Imagine if you had manual transmission and you revved to redline in first gear, then let the engine rev back down with the clutch engaged.

I would assume that the CVT would upshift a bit, and perhaps unlock the torque convertor, when you go off-throttle? I have checked CVT fluid level and condition, no CVT or check-engine lights lit. Under normal driving, every thing is fine....a little whine, but I am pretty sure that's my alternator bearing.

Before I break anything expensive, I plan to pay a visit to my dealership.

Or am I crazy?

[WDRacing]

If you repeat this above "launch sequence" how often do you get the same results, where the transmission doesn't "shift"? I've beaten on a Alty with CVT and don't recall it hanging like that at all. How long does it hang?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah I'd bring it back to the stealership. Sounds like a solenoid might be sticking somewhere, or you have a lazy sensor.

[adidas2go]

Sounds like 1 of the symptoms that started happening before mine blew up. Associated with the "shifting" issue, I would have a stammer when power launching it off the line, and the transmission would throw itself into defense mode. For the sake of electronics and the hiccups they have, just reset the system by removing the negative cable off the battery for about 10 min. If the problem continues, Nissan may owe you some new CVT fluid, or a new transmission all together if their are enough flakes in it . Don't worry though, Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles now due to their faulty quality from Nissan.

http://www.nissanassist.com/ProgramDetails.php

[robo_geek]

thanks all for the responses.

The "one of the symptoms that started happening before mine blew up" part does not sound good.

I'm going to take her into the dealership when i get some time.

[robo_geek]

If you repeat this above "launch sequence" how often do you get the same results, where the transmission doesn't "shift"? I've beaten on a Alty with CVT and don't recall it hanging like that at all. How long does it hang?

Well, again, the one time I was at this light, and there was a new BMW M5 and a Mercedes AMG stopped in the other two lanes (sweet!)

So I launched hard enough to smoke the tires off the crosswalk paint, then had to lift (as the next light was red, and it was a 45 zone). The M5 punched it too, and was about even for the first 500 feet.

So when I punched it, I was up to around 50 mph at 6000 rpm, when I lifted, then I was going along for a good three or four seconds where it feels like the torque converter is locked to the engine, and I was seriously going to reach to put it in neutral, since the engine braking was so severe, (I was completely totally embarrassed as it was like I had shifted to neutral for no reason and was revving my engine at 5500 rpm when slowing for a red light)

I need to rig up a camera mount for my iphone so I can document this......

Again, I may be crazy, and this may be a way to prevent the engine from over-revving, since if you lift off wide open throttle under load, and the engine were allowed to freewheel, perhaps the revs would go too high, or some other bad thing unique to the CVT would happen.....