Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I have a 2003 HCH with just over 64,000 miles on it. I've had 2 recurring problems for about the last 20,000 miles or so, which seem to come and go in severity.

The first problem is that when I step on the gas pedal from a stop, the car will make a stuttering noise. After looking at it and not being able to figure out what was wrong, the dealer flushed out the transmission fluid, which fixed the problem for a couple thousand miles, but it has begun happening again.

The second problem is that the car will surge or lunge when I drive at slow speeds (5 - 15 mph) (this makes driving through a parking lot very difficult). This also stopped when the transmission fluid was flushed, but has also returned, and is getting worse. Now I can feel slight waves of surges even at medium speeds (30 - 40 mph), and driving at 10 mph makes me feel like I'm on an amusement park ride.

The dealer has said I need a whole new transmission, which was going to be something like $3,000. I haven't had that done yet, I thought it seemed a little extreme for a car with only 64,000 miles to need a completely new transmission.

Does what I described sound like an entire new transmission is necessary? Also, what are the dangers of continuing to drive the car in this condition? I'd hate to spend $3,000 to completely replace the transmission if it could be repaired instead. Thanks for any information.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

The surging may be your EGR valve. It needs to be replaced. Part costs about $120.00 labor should be one hours worth if you don't do it yourself.


I had the same problem with my transmission as you described and I brought it to the dealer and they said they flushed the transmission twice. It has been about 10K miles and so far so good. I heard another person have the same problem and it took care of the problem for 30K miles when he needed the transmission flushed again.

There is definately something up with the 03 cvt transmissions, but it doesn't seem to be too severe.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I've had very similar problems with my '04, with only 75k on it. I've also had the dealer mechanics tell me it's either the clutch or replace the whole transmission-- since changing the fluid only worked for a month.

as I asked on another post, what's in EGR?

I'm glad to find others with the same problem. I'll watch this thread with interest...

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

EGR = "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve".

Mine was lirching, jumping, skipping and just plain being a bear at low speeds. Especially in parking lots.
I mentioned to the dealer to check out the EGR valve. He did, changed it, and now it runs like a champ. Warranty covered it.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow and high speeds.
 

Hello all with this problem my 2004 did this and I went round and round with the dealer for one hundred twenty thousand miles I sold the car it was never fixed they put two new trans in the car and did all the flushings it only worked for a short time.then I got a 2008 model civic this car has has thirty eight thousand miles it does the same thing and they are telling me there is nothing wrong there is no check engine light.I am at the end with this problem its hard to deal with them saying its driving style.they are full of it. nobody has been able to fix the problem yet its not reported on honda websites I think most of these cars must be doing this.somebody help.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I had this problem too, in my 04 Civic Hybrid. After many visits to service centers, I finally found a service writer who seemed to know his stuff. He said it wasn't the ERG valve, and had me replace the starter clutch. Luckily it was under warranty. It seems to have fixed the problem-- I got it done at about 70k, and now I'm at 114k. It sometimes seems to do it, but not anywhere near as bad as it used to, and it has not gotten worse.
This last time I was in they said that the thump I was feeling at acceleration was a cracked engine mount, so that's next to replace.
I hope this helps
cheers
--Amy

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Amy is correct! You can remove the EGR valve and clean it with a carb cleaner or wd-30.Search for older threads on this, Some of the threads show how to perform this fix. But your problem does sound like the EGR and the starter clutch need attention.
Cheers,Hal

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

If you are experiencing a transmission judder or slippage in your civic cvt, take it back to the dealer. You should have received a warranty extension letter that states your transmission is covered for 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Last year I took my 2003 civic with only 30,000 miles on it due to the transmission judder when starting from a dead stop. They put in a new starter clutch kit and new cvt fluid for FREE. They even gave me a loaner car for FREE.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Thanks for the post I will contact dealer but they have changed the trans already.this is in my 08 civic my 04 they also changed the trans it worked for a while then started up again.this must be a issue with the cars from the factory and they are not resolving the problem.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Do you mean change the transmission fluid?

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

On my 04 the changed the fluid first it worked for a while then it came back within a few thousand miles.At that point they changed the trans.
problem came back after several thousand miles.

On my 08 they have not done anything because cant get it to do it when they have it you have to be driving and it will just start lunging for no reason like I am on and off the gas pedal. there is no code that comes up they wont look.

Both of these cars are doing the same thing 04 and 08

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Honda has a new CVT transmission fluid for the cvt transmission. Do not put regular honda automatic transmission fluid in a CVT. Get the new CVT transmission fluid.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Is the EGR covered under the 105/110/120K service intervals? Or is it something I need to ask the dealer about? My rig is in the shop and while he is doing $2500 in repairs he might as well check that as well.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

It's nothing that the dealer would change out under a normal 30/60/90 thousand mile service. It actually has to be bad. It is an emission control device, so it probably would be covered under warranty if it went bad. (at least here in California)

Howard

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I plan on adjusting my valves on my 2003 honda civic hybrid. However, the shop manual doesn't go into much detail. It states to set no 1 cylander at top dead center. Adjust No 1 intake. and proceed to adjust all intake in proper sequence. What it doesn't tell you is if you adust the exaust valves at the same time you do the intake or do you have to do all the intakes first and then start at top dead center again to go through the exahst valves. Please advise as this seems to be a bit different than my previous cars.
Thanks Chuck

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I bought my 2003 HCH just over a year ago for dirt cheep because the last owner was told the jerking and lurtching was a bad tranny. Since my buddy owns a tranny shop he help me do it i figured it would be a great deal. after reading these threads on this site i decided to replace the EGR valve before i did the tranny and presto! that did the trick no moer jerking, surging, and lurtching. Now over a year later "knock on wood" still working fine andi put 110 miles every day on my HCH for a daily commute. I HIGHLY RECOMEND replaning your EGR before you do anything. at worst if it does not solve your problem you have a new EGR and not have to worry about it for another 75K miles.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I have an 06 civic hybrid. It was lundging forward when I would start it right after I bought it. I started using the parking break after that. I called dealership and took in a few times. They said it has to do it hooked up to the computer so it can record it to see where the problem is. Well They had it for 4 days and I went in one morning and had the manager in the car with me. It jumped a little but not like it had beforeand of course it wasn't enough to record anything. They suggested that I don't use the parking break so I haven't and it is still doing it. I have no idea what to do and neither does the dealership.
Can anyone help me with this issue???? Please!!!

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I had the lunging at 38k and an EGR valve replacement did the trick. But now at 95k I'm getting a weird judder from a dead stop accelerating to any speed. Do you think this is the tranny? Do I need take it in? I'm close to 100k and would love to have this done under warranty.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Jeff, check into Honda Service Bulletins 07-049 and 07-050. Service bulletin 07-049 deals with CVT judder or slippage. It extends the warranty on the start clutch to 7 years/100,000 miles, so have your car checked out if you are near that limit.

I can't find a direct link to the service bulletins, but here's a link to a GX forum discussing the issue, which can occur in hybrids, natural gas models, and the HX with CVT transmissions:

http://www.cngchat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Thank you, I will check it out. I'm up against the 7yr/100mi mark so it's time for me to go in.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

I went into today and had this service done (bulletin 07-049). They flushed the tranny fluid three times and the surging/lunging is gone and fixed for $0. Now, they did tell me I need a rt. axle seal ($235), brake fluid change ($125), 90k service ($295), and comp. bushings ($560). AHAHAHAHHA.

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

Sorry to hear about the troubles. My 2003 CH has a manual transmission and at times the sinchrynization of the electric and gas engine isnt perfect, resulting in abit of a surge.

Is your condition something like this?

Re: Bad surging/lunging at slow speeds.
 

If you cannot do the required maintenance yourself then it is worth every penny to take it and keep the regularly scheduled maintenance up.

These cars are built superior than their 2009 replacements. No lies, I drove a 2009 Civic as a rent a car while my 03 CH was in for the 75K service. I will say the 09 did a much better job at making the car feel wide and open.

I was happy to get my 6 yr older model civic back.

Keeping our little cars in pristine condition is well worth the money spent.