CVT problem!!!!

[habu]

My 2008 Versa SL CVT with 24k miles does not seem to have a low gear. When I start moving after a full stop the engine revs real high, then the car gradually starts to move forward. No check engine light or other symptoms. I just took it to the dealer and I hope to hear something soon.

Anyone else have this problem before?

[marlin29311]

The CVT doesn't have any "gears" in the traditional sense of an automatic transmission...

What sounds like happening here is the CVT "surge," which a couple of members in the Rogue forum discussed, as well as other vehicles too - you may want to search around for an answer, but the consensus seems to be that this is fairly normal operation because of the nature of the CVT in it's design....

[kc5f]

You aren't pushing the "OD Off" button on the shifter, are you? That would cause something like this, but you'd also have to reset it to get to any sort of speed after that. Other than that, no problems with "surging" in the 135k CVT miles on our family's Versas.

[habu]

No, it is definitely not a surge. I give the car gas, the engine revs real high, the car barely moves. I had a few angry drivers behind me when I was driving to the dealer.

No surge.

[kerrton]

Your problem is obviously serious, and definately not the "CVT surge" which is a minor feature that some owners report and is normal. It is obvious that your car has serious problems and you need to take it in for service right away. If you are at a stand still and you press on the accelerator the car should move forward immediately exactly how a conventional transmission would react. If you notice rpms increasing but the car isn't moving, that is an obvious and serious problem.

Marlin, please be careful about understating the seriousness of problems like this, people take your feedback seriously and in this case I don't think habu should be driving around in a vehicle that obviously has serious problems. Even if it was less obviously a problem, it's always good advice to error on the side of caution and get the vehicle checked to avoid damaging the vehicle. At this point the fix may be simple, but if he keeps driving it for a few months it could cause damage. The point is we dont' know, all we know is the car definately shouldn't act like this and it needs to be inspected by a Nissan tech. This isn't even close to the CVT surge issue, completely different. When you press on the throttle the car should move forward, not sit motionless and rev the engine, regardless if it's a CVT or conventional transmission, they result is basically the same, when you press on the throttle the car should move forward immediately and not rev excessively, no brainer.

[marlin29311]

I understand what you're saying, but based on the information habu gave in the original post made it seem that way, where the car would go into the "rubber band" effect and rev up, but not take off at the same pace as the engine revs. Hence why I said what I did.

He didn't say "Hey, I step on the pedal, the engine revs, and then 5 seconds later I move..." That type of post would have warranted a different response from me. I always err on the side of caution and will always tell someone to bring a car into the dealer to look at, but his initial post didn't make me feel like something was wrong.

Habu - did you get your car back yet?

[kerrton]

Yeah I get what you're saying, it's not always clear what's going on, hopefully his issue gets resolved by the Service Dept.

[habu]

Sorry it has taken so long for an update, working a lot of hours right now.

The dealer called Friday morning to say that they did not have it figured out yet and would have the car until at least Monday. They gave me a very nice loaner (Hyundai Sonata GLS), so I am OK to wait the weekend.

I will update when I hear something. Thanks for the help.

[habu]

The dealer service department called this morning.

The car was in fail-safe mode. This mode allows you to get the car home if it has a bad problem. The service manager says there were no fault codes. The MIL light is supposed to come on when fail-safe mode activates and it did not. He says the car drives normally now but they are still looking at it.

Very strange.

[marlin29311]

That is somewhat strange - I wonder if there was just an error or something that happened in the computer that caused the CVT to go failsafe...

Keep us posted!

[kc5f]

It's been mentioned here as happening after panic stops. I've had to stop pretty suddenly, but never hard enough to have the CVT complain, I guess.

[habu]

Sorry it has taken so long for an update. The hard drive on my computer failed. It has taken me a while to get my new computer up and running.

Now for the CVT problem.....

The dealer kept my car for three days and never found a problem. The CVT started working soon after I dropped it off and never failed for them. I took it home and it failed again the next day. The car did not seem to have a low gear after a full stop. Still no check engine light but, now I did have one active fault in the computer.

It faulted the brake light switch on the brake pedal. And sure enough, my brake lights were not working. They replaced the brake light switch and the CVT started working normally and has worked great ever since then. Smooth as silk.

Don't ask me how a failed brake light switch could keep a CVT from dropping in to low gear. I don't know. They didn't seem to know exactly why either.

It might be a good thing to remember. Just in case. Thanks to all the responses here while I was trying to find an answer. You guys are great!

[Shad0wXCalibur]

That's pretty weird... My CVT's been good to me and I love the way it operates.

[Sentientbydesign]

It's possible that the CVT logic doesn't allow for full engagement while the brakes are being applied (that's probably what the ECU thought when the sensor was malfunctioning).

[Rockhound]

The CVT doesn't have any "gears" in the traditional sense of an automatic transmission...

While your statement is correct in the most basic sense, the "high" and "low" gear ranges that Habu was referring to do exist - I'm kind of surprised a fellow CVT owner didn't know this.

Nissan's Xtronic CVT has two gear ratio ranges, high and low.





Here's a link to a Nissan technical release on their Xtronic CVT:http://www.nissan-global.com/E.../CVT/

[marlin29311]

While your statement is correct in the most basic sense, the "high" and "low" gear ranges that Habu was referring to do exist - I'm kind of surprised a fellow CVT owner didn't know this.

Nissan's Xtronic CVT has two gear ratio ranges, high and low.

You took my quote out of context. The OP was originally discussing the CVT as if it was a conventional A/T, saying that his "low gear" wasn't working properly. The CVT doesn't contain hard "gears" as it was originally being discussed.

Technically, there still are no gears, just an infinite amount of gear ratios.

[Rockhound]

You took my quote out of context. The OP was originally discussing the CVT as if it was a conventional A/T, saying that his "low gear" wasn't working properly. The CVT doesn't contain hard "gears" as it was originally being discussed.

Technically, there still are no gears, just an infinite amount of gear ratios.

No, I didn't take it out of context at all.

Habu knows that the CVT doesn't contain 'hard gears' - I'd hope everyone knows that by now. The Xtronic CVT has two gear ratio ranges, high and low. You can actually feel the CVT "downshift" into the low setting as you come to a stop.

This point should be obvious, as Habu's car was in 'limp-mode', where it only gives you the high gear ratio. This is an issue that has come up elsewhere after a panic stop. The CVT will switch to limp mode and lock out the low gear range.

The discussion was never about 'hard gears', just that his Versa was locked out of the low gear ratio range. You simply chose to assume that he thought a CVT had physical gears. You should read Nissan's technical release that I linked above, too.

[marlin29311]

No, I didn't take it out of context at all.

Habu knows that the CVT doesn't contain 'hard gears' - I'd hope everyone knows that by now. The Xtronic CVT has two gear ratio ranges, high and low. You can actually feel the CVT "downshift" into the low setting as you come to a stop.

This point should be obvious, as Habu's car was in 'limp-mode', where it only gives you the high gear ratio. This is an issue that has come up elsewhere after a panic stop. The CVT will switch to limp mode and lock out the low gear range.

The discussion was never about 'hard gears', just that his Versa was locked out of the low gear ratio range. You simply chose to assume that he thought a CVT had physical gears. You should read Nissan's technical release that I linked above, too.

You can stop trying to sound smarter at this point. I've read the article - hell, I read about it before the Xtronic's even came out. Look around at any CVT thread around here - you'll see me in it. I've taken a lot of first hand knowledge that I've learned about this transmission (my dad's company helped to design the NS-2 fluid and worked with Nissan on the development of the Xtronic CVT), and have tried to help out a lot of people with CVT issues as of late.

Habu's first post sounded a lot like what many people ask initially, not realizing the difference between a CVT and an AT. Hence the reason I responded like I did.

[Rockhound]

You can stop trying to sound smarter at this point. I've read the article - hell, I read about it before the Xtronic's even came out. Look around at any CVT thread around here - you'll see me in it. I've taken a lot of first hand knowledge that I've learned about this transmission (my dad's company helped to design the NS-2 fluid and worked with Nissan on the development of the Xtronic CVT), and have tried to help out a lot of people with CVT issues as of late.

Habu's first post sounded a lot like what many people ask initially, not realizing the difference between a CVT and an AT. Hence the reason I responded like I did.

Who said anything about 'sounding smarter'? You're the only one that's jumped to that conclusion. If you are so well read on the CVT, then I'd think you would have understood the reference to the high and low gear ranges, which are referred to in many CVT threads (which you've undoubtedly been a part of) as simply high and low 'gear'.

Habu explained his problem well and I'd say you were the first person trying to 'sound smarter' - explaining that CVTs don't have physical gears, when he simply meant that his low gear ratio range was locked out.

[marlin29311]

My 2008 Versa SL CVT with 24k miles does not seem to have a low gear.

Sounds like he is talking about gears to me.

All too often there are threads started by people in all of the forums with cars that have the CVT that discuss gears and such, only for those OP's to realize that they don't have gears in a traditional automatic transmission sense. This appeared to be another such thread.

Sorry you got all butt-hurt over someone else's thread.

[Rockhound]

Sounds like he is talking about gears to me.

Sounds like he's talking about the gear ratios, to me, which as I mentioned before, are referred to by many folks as simply the high and low 'gears'. Here's a clue: it's not like he said "I've lost first gear".

I mean, are you just refusing to admit that even Nissan's technical diagrams refer to them as "high and low gear"?

Sorry you got all butt-hurt over someone else's thread.

Wow, you're mature, huh?

I just wanted to make sure that no misinformation was being spread, as I've already noted.

[Sentientbydesign]

Guys,

Chill out. I agree that the OP sounds like he believed there were in fact gears involved. On the flip side, that has NOTHING to do with his problem.

Regardless if he was misinformed or just simply stated the situation poorly, the fact of the matter is, that gears or no gears doesn't make a difference in what the problem was.

I still this the fail safe mode is designed to protect the CVT belt, probably from slipping.

[Rockhound]

Guys,

Chill out. I agree that the OP sounds like he believed there were in fact gears involved. On the flip side, that has NOTHING to do with his problem.

Regardless if he was misinformed or just simply stated the situation poorly, the fact of the matter is, that gears or no gears doesn't make a difference in what the problem was.

I still this the fail safe mode is designed to protect the CVT belt, probably from slipping.

Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. It sounds to me that the OP knew exactly what he was talking about in referring to the 'low' gear ratio. If he had said 1st gear or something to that effect, then you could infer otherwise.

Gears, or in this case, 'gear ratios' have EVERYTHING to do with the problem in that the CVT has a limp-mode in which the low gear-ratio is locked out to prevent further damage to the engine/transmission.

Again, I'll refer you to this image:

No one is arguing that the CVT has physical gears, but if you read a few CVT threads (especially those referring to the limp mode after a panic stop) and you'll see many references to the high and low gear ratios.

[marlin29311]

Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. It sounds to me that the OP knew exactly what he was talking about in referring to the 'low' gear ratio. If he had said 1st gear or something to that effect, then you could infer otherwise.

Wow, I guess I must have inferred wrong because you said so. No way in the world the way Nate and I interpreted the sentence could be right....

And thanks for the double post of the same pic - I must have missed it the first time you posted it and didn't care.

Judging from habu's traffic on this site, it does not appear to me that he was referring to the "limp" mode, nor does he even make mention to it until he returned from the dealer, when he referred to the fail-safe on the CVT.

And I've probably read all of the CVT threads. I don't always post in them because the answer is stated before I get there. Limp mode doesn't come up that often either...

I still this the fail safe mode is designed to protect the CVT belt, probably from slipping.

That's exactly what it's for. If there is enough torque applied to the belt, the teeth could be ripped from the belt, causing catastrophic transmission failure.

[Rockhound]

Wow, I guess I must have inferred wrong because you said so. No way in the world the way Nate and I interpreted the sentence could be right....

Actually, you did infer wrong - you made the incorrect diagnosis to his problem as the CVT surge.

And thanks for the double post of the same pic - I must have missed it the first time you posted it and didn't care.

No problem - figured you needed to see it again, since you still can't bring yourself to admit that the Xtronic has a low and high gear range.

Judging from habu's traffic on this site, it does not appear to me that he was referring to the "limp" mode, nor does he even make mention to it until he returned from the dealer, when he referred to the fail-safe on the CVT.

Judging by his traffic on this site? I spent months unregistered reading this site up to and after the purchase of our Versa for research purposes. So judging by my traffic at the time, I knew nothing? Plus, this site isn't the only source for Versa/CVT information, in case you hadn't noticed.

And I've probably read all of the CVT threads.

Ha! You're a riot.

I don't always post in them because the answer is stated before I get there.

So, judging by your traffic on this site, it wouldn't appear that you know what you're talking about, by your logic - right?

Limp mode doesn't come up that often either...

Just because it doesn't come up often doesn't mean it doesn't come up.

Here's a link to one reference I can recall:http://forums.nissanversa.org/zerothread/369711

Oh, but I forgot, you've probably already read that one.

[Sentientbydesign]

Mack,

Seriously, calm down. I'd rather not have to call (by phone) and mod or admin about your attitude.

Lou misdiagnosed the problem that was stated poorly by the OP. The CVT has no GEARS. I wish there was another technical term that didn't involve the word gears, but honestly, we're arguing over semantics.

Both of you, just drop the issue!

[marlin29311]

Actually, you did infer wrong - you made the incorrect diagnosis to his problem as the CVT surge.

Wrong inference - you're moving your arguement to another topic. And as stated in the coverstation between Kerrton and myself, you can see what happened. Stay on topic.

No problem - figured you needed to see it again, since you still can't bring yourself to admit that the Xtronic has a low and high gear range.

Not sure where I ever said this...never disputed it either. But if it makes you feel better for arguing it, go right ahead.

Judging by his traffic on this site? I spent months unregistered reading this site up to and after the purchase of our Versa for research purposes. So judging by my traffic at the time, I knew nothing? Plus, this site isn't the only source for Versa/CVT information, in case you hadn't noticed.

Yup, that's what most people do when they see someone new - the assume that they don't know something, hence why they are new and asking a question. Sorry we're all not like you.

And again, looking at his posts in this thread alone, he was completely unaware of the whole "limp mode" / fail-safe mode:

The dealer service department called this morning.

The car was in fail-safe mode. This mode allows you to get the car home if it has a bad problem. The service manager says there were no fault codes. The MIL light is supposed to come on when fail-safe mode activates and it did not. He says the car drives normally now but they are still looking at it.

Very strange.

Ha! You're a riot.

Thanks! And try venturing out of the Versa bubble to see the rest of the CVT threads out there...

So, judging by your traffic on this site, it wouldn't appear that you know what you're talking about, by your logic - right?

See above comment. No need to post the same thing twice in the same thread.

Just because it doesn't come up often doesn't mean it doesn't come up.

Here's a link to one reference I can recall:http://forums.nissanversa.org/zerothread/369711

Oh, but I forgot, you've probably already read that one.

Way to post the 1 of 2 topics that come up with the search button on "limp." I did read that one. It was good information to know.

PS - Nate, I don't mean to continue an arguement like this, but I don't like it when people continue attacks like this.

PPS - Nate, can you let someone know that the Versa site is allowing sig's to be appended to ever post in a thread, instead of just the first one for a user?

[Rockhound]

Mack,

Seriously, calm down. I'd rather not have to call (by phone) and mod or admin about your attitude.

Lou misdiagnosed the problem that was stated poorly by the OP. The CVT has not GEARS. I wish there was another technical term that didn't involve the word gears, but honestly, we're arguing over semantics.

Both of you, just drop the issue!

I don't need to calm down. If you're reading some sort of frenzied anger into my posts, that's by your doing alone. I'm calm and collected - and making sure that everyone gets their facts straight.

You're really threatening to call a mod about my 'attitude'? Does Lou not have an attitude? Remember, he's the one who said "Sorry you got all butt-hurt over someone else's thread."

And again, no one has argued that the Xtronic has physical gears, but that it has two ranges of gear ratios - heck, even Nissan refers to them as the 'low' and 'high' gear.

My original intent was just to point out that folks refer to these gear ratio ranges as gears (as does Nissan) and that the OP seemed to have a good handle on the situation. Just because that rubbed someone the wrong way doesn't mean I'm in the wrong.

[biggie]

Came down to a different definition of 'gears'.

Everyone relax, would help.

Deleted all the retarded postwhores.

Closing thread as believe OP was done. If he is not, then he can email me to reopen or start a new one (without the arguments).