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Hello, your Civic Hybrid does not have gears. Meaning -- you have a CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission. There are no perceptible gear changes, as the gear ratios are continuously variable. If you are having problems with power, I would recommend having your IMA battery state of charge and capacity to accept a charge checked first. Then I would check for any clutch slippage in the transmission. First, ensure your transmission fluid is full and clean.
Along with the other suggestion, be sure to ONLY use HONDA CVT transmission fluid. The trans may have a failed speed sensor (it has several). Are any of the warning lights on? Your least expensive way to diagnose this, may be to have a QUALIFIED shop, with the proper scan tool, run a scan for DTCs, and test drive monitoring LIVE DATA,to see what is going on. IF you can get codes for CVT read,post here, along with the VIN number, for some more help.
Hi, the CVT does in fact have multiple ratios of gears. Lots of people on the internet giving advice without actual knowledge of these vehicles and it's been frustrating to find real information about diagnosing problems. Did you ever find a solution? I bought a used 2003 and it's very slow to engage the start clutch in between these ratios and also not engaging immediately when starting from a stop. I'm not sure if this is a problem with the start clutch being worn out or just whatever mechanism engages that wet clutch pack being faulty.
Anyone with experience diagnosing or repairing Honda CVTs that could advise a start point or some resources for learning more about them?
TIA
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Thanks for the reply, I have worked on a lot of vehicles but none that where hybrids. The main battery was replaced due to a recall that they had . There's no engine lights on. I have been trying to locate the Vtec solenoid assembly so I can clean it. But can't find it, also I have been reading something about there's a valve for the cvt trans solenoids that the screen gets dirty. Can't find that either. This 06 Honda Civic hybrid I-vtec is no Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 . I am lost on this thing. I looked up on YouTube but only can find 2006 regular Honda civic's no hybrids, I was hoping it was as simple as cleaning some valve ports for the cvt valve body or the vtec solenoid assembly . I have to learn this type of vehicle. Everything is pact into a small area. The car works fine intill you have to get onto the gas to pass someone or if you take off from a light fast it just won't shift out of second to third it seems. I no at 183,567 miles or more the trans fluid has never been change. I sure that isn't good for it. I did clean the throttle body and did find the inline trans filter by the two front fans . Thanks for any help guys. I feel like a 10 year old reading his first bike with this car.
Again, I reiterate -- there is no "second to third gear". This vehicle is definitely not your Dodge truck. And no, there is nothing to be cleaned. My goodness, if in 180,000+ you did not have the transmission fluid changed, there's nothing more I can suggest...the damage is probably already done. Figure that your internal transmission components have an issue, based on that fact alone. By the way, a check engine light will illuminate if you had any VTEC issues.
Thanks for the reply, I did a lot of work on the car today so I understand the car's function a lot better now, ya it would of been nice if the Miss'a would of got the cvt fluid change. I sure there's internal damage done , I am going to to flush the system out and change the inline filter and see what happens. Took the pvc valve off and the intake cover off and too my surprise the intake ports where clogged up pretty bad to where when you hit the gas you wouldn't here any sir being sucked in and now it will suck your hand in . Never worked on a trans like this cvt one, I guess this isn't a Vtec motor but a IMA . Thanks again