The July 2015 issue of Motor Age has an article in the Powertrain Pro section called Tackling CVTs. The article promised to provide a few Honda Start Clutch relearn procedures. Here it is:
1996 CIVIC MODEL ONLY:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Locate the Service Check Connector under the passenger side dash and jump the connector.
3. Start the engine, and warm it up to normal operating temperature, the radiator cooling fan should come on twice.
4. Fully depress the brake pedal and accelerator pedal for 20 seconds in the "D" position.
5. Release the accelerator pedal and shift into neutral or park. To store the engine negative pressure in memory, let the engine idle for one minute under the following conditions:
·Brake pedal depressed
·A/C switch OFF
·Headlight switch OFF
·Heater Fan switch OFF
·All accessories OFF
NOTE: Begin step 5 within 60 seconds after the radiator fan goes off.
6. Shift into "D" position, and let the engine idle for 2 minutes to store the feedback signal in memory under the same conditions as in step 5.
7. Remove the jumper from the Service Check Connector.
NOTE: The TCM will not store the feedback signal when transmission fluid temperature is below 104ºF (40ºC) even if coolant temperature reaches normal operating temperature. This procedure may have to be repeated until Start Clutch calibration is complete.
1997-00 CIVIC MODELS:
The TCM (1997-98) Models and PCM (1999 Model) memorize the Feedback Signal when you drive the vehicle as follows:
·Warm the engine to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).
·Shift into the "D" position.
·Turn OFF all electrical systems.
·Drive the vehicle on a flat road to a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h).
·After vehicle speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h), do not press the brake pedal, release the accelerator pedal and decelerate for 5 seconds. The start clutch feedback control signal have been memorized in the computer.
WARNING! - If you perform a 1996 start clutch relearn procedure with 1997 and up vehicles, you will damage the transmission.
2001-2002 CIVIC MODELS:
1. Warm the engine to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).
2. Shift into the "D" position.
3. Drive the vehicle on a flat road to a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h).
4. After vehicle speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h), do not press the brake pedal, release the accelerator pedal and decelerate for 5 seconds. The start clutch feedback control signal have been memorized in the PCM.
2003-2006 CIVIC MODELS:
With Factory Scan Tool
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Warm up the engine to the point where the radiator fan engages.
3. No MILs should be lit up and the Drive indicator should no be blinking or you have a problem with the fuel/emissions system or the Automatic Transmission.
4. Turn the ignition OFF.
5. Connect the scan tool and follow the screen prompts to short circuit the SCS connector using the tester menu.
6. Step on the brakes, on and off, until calibration is complete.
7. With no load conditions, start the engine and turn on the headlights.
8. Put the car into Neutral. Then shift to Drive, then Second, then Low and return to Neutral. This must be done in less than 20 seconds from the time the engine was started.
9. Check that the D indicator comes on when the shifter lever is in the neutral N position then goes off in one minute.
10. If the D indicator blinks or does not come on, or if the indicator light comes on and stays, turn the ignition switch off and restart the procedure with step 5.
11. Shift to Drive and the D indicator light comes on and then goes off.
12. If the D indicator blinks or does not come on, or if the indicator light comes on and stays, turn the ignition switch off and restart the procedure with step 5.
13. Turn the ignition off.
14. Test drive the vehicle to make sure there are not any problems.
Calibration Procedure by Driving Vehicle
1. Warm the engine to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).
2. Start the engine with a no-load condition, then immediately turn the head lights on.
3. Shift into the "D" position and drive the vehicle on a flat road to a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h).
4. After vehicle speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h), do not press the brake pedal, release the accelerator pedal and decelerate for 5 seconds. The start clutch feedback control signal have been memorized in the PCM.
2001-2005 HONDA INSIGHT:
With Factory Scan Tool
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Warm up the engine to the point where the radiator fan engages.
3. No MILs should be lit up and the Drive indicator should no be blinking or you have a problem with the fuel/emissions system or the Automatic Transmission.
4. Turn the ignition OFF.
5. Connect PGM Tester and follow the prompts to short circuit the SCS connector using the tester menu.
6. Step on the brakes, on and off, until calibration is complete.
7. With no load conditions, start the engine.
8. Put the car into Neutral. Then shift to Low and return to Neutral. Repeat this shifting 3 times within 20 seconds after the engine has been started.
9. Check that the D indicator comes on for one minute with the shift lever in the N position then goes off.
10. If the D indicator blinks, or the D indicator light comes on and stays on, (it does not go off after one minute), turn the ignition switch off and restart the procedure with step 5.
11. Shift to D and check that the D indicator comes on for two minutes with the shift lever in the D position then goes off.
12. If the D indicator blinks, or the D indicator light comes on and stays on, turn the ignition switch off and restart the procedure with step 5.
13. Turn the ignition off.
14. Test drive the vehicle to make sure there are not any problems.
Calibration Procedure by Driving Vehicle
1. Warm the engine to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on).
2. Start the engine with a no-load condition, then immediately turn the head lights on.
3. Shift into the "D" position and drive the vehicle on a flat road to a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h).
4. After vehicle speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h), do not press the brake pedal, release the accelerator pedal and decelerate for 5 seconds. The start clutch feedback control signal have been memorized in the PCM.
