Line pressure control system for a continuously variable transmission

A line pressure control system for a continuously variable transmission which includes a continuously variable member (15,16,17), a clutch (21) and a pressure transducer (22) for providing a feedback signal for both closed loop line pressure and closed loop clutch control. The line pressure control system includes a closed loop control strategy and an open loop control strategy which operate independently, and initial conditions are determined and set to prevent discontinuities in the output. The closed loop control strategy includes proportional and integral gain terms. The control system is adaptable to utilize of a variety of different open loop control strategies to provide a schedule response to a desired line pressure or a maximum or minimum line pressure when appropriate. The control system also optionally provides for a transition from closed loop control to open loop control and vice versa in response to the output parameters generated.