I've tried using the search tools for this, but either it's not working or I'm too stoopid to make it work:

My girlfriend has an Ion coupe with the CVT. It's begun acting weird - when it's hot, the car is extremely sluggish when accelerating from a stop up to about 20 mph, holding about 2500rpm but with no power, then it suddenly kicks in and GOES. Sometimes lifting off the accelerator at that point causes the car. Go where with acceleration for about 2-3 seconds.

When the car is cool, the surge can still happen, but without the lack of power. I don't know if this is a software issue, a valve body issue ( if this transmission even has a valve body), or some sort of speed sensor. Does anyone here have any experience in this area? Or does anyone know of a Saturn specialist in the Atlanta area?

Mike

 

I don't know about the CVT in the Saturns, but I DO know that if it's the Jatco type that they use in the Dodge Calibers, then you'll either get a good one or a bad one. Not much middle ground. They don't have a traditional valve body, but work off a belt that's similar to a timing belt. The expand up or down off a kind of a V shaped drum. It may be a software issue, but I AM NOT a mechanic and don't claim to be. If you have a nearby Saturn friendly dealership, I'd suggest taking it there and let them run a diagnostic on it. Go from there.

 

The CVT in these cars are miserable. Someone can chime in that knows more about trannys, but I know most saturns with the cvt need them replaced more often then not. It is just a horrible transmission.