ZF transmission kit installed - now shifts appalling

[Homerlovesbeer]

My 2005 Diesel with a steel pan had the lurch when coming to a gentle stop so I thought I'd give it some TLC

I've now got major shift problems after doing the ZF service kit and I feel sick in the guts.


The only thing that springs to mind is maybe I didn't seat the Mechatronic double square part properly but it seemed in when I installed. It only needed light pressure.

I don't know if I needed to push it in hard? Can you reinstall the Mechatronic unit with the bridge not in properly (or if it fell out during installation?)

Everything bolted up perfectly without any tight spots?

The other possible thought in my head is not enough fluid?

I feel so terrible that I may have borked up my car.

To check the seals will involve completely stripping the unit down and wasting about $300 of fluid.

Would it even run or move with the bridge seal not in place?

Appreciate any suggestions as I'm feeling pretty depressed.

[andrewwynn]

First double check fill level at temp.

If you use clean capture pan you can certainly reuse your brand new fluid.

[haigha]

Definitely agree with Andrew, check fluid level first. Did you do the shift through the gears procedure and bring up to temperature when refilling?

We had problems with the white clip for the mechatronic seal when we took off the valve body... we had to take the valve body off and fix it so that it would clip in correctly.

Another thing, if you did the solenoids, is there's a little pin (plastic, too, IIRC) that needs to be set properly when reassembling the valve body for shifts to work properly.

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to reset the adaptions for this service. I did before the drain and disassembly.. again, IIRC. Done with the Foxwell. Even after doing that the shifting was pretty bad for quite a while until the adaptions were re-learned. In my case several months because I only usually drive the X5 once or twice a week.

BTW, we used the side fill port both times, so far no problems, six years after the first one, which was to remedy a leaking mechatronic seal.


Good luck

[andrewwynn]

Scanner for temp reading

[X5only]

As others have pointed out, check the fluid level at temperature (precise temp reading via a scanner kit) and the transmission is level for correct fluid checking. If you did reset the adaptations, that would cause poor and harsh shifting (unless you do a relearn per ZF instructions) which would subside with time as the trans relearns as you drive. The mechatronic seal doesn't require force when installing and I doubt it would slide out. It tends to stay put unless accidentally dislodged and I think you'd definitely feel it if it were out of place during mechatronic install. Also, you can certainly reuse the oil if you drain it into a clean container!

[Homerlovesbeer]

Thanks to all the responses.

Yes, I used a scan tool and got the car up to 40°C during the last fill after doing the provisional fill. After the first fill I went though all the gears for 5 seconds then stopped.

I got some more fluid in, did the same but this time went through the gears a few times holding each for about 5 secs. I also went into manual mode from Drive and went through a few gears there also.

The car only took 5.5L of fluid and seemed about a litre short of what came out but no matter what I tried I couldn't get any more in.

I did make a mistake and shut the car off between fills so I'm hoping that is the issue and with the car running I'll get more fluid in.

God I really hope that's all the problem is

[X5only]

This is how you should check the current fluid level:
1) Vehicle level
2) Start engine
3) Press brake pedal to floor and shift through all gears several times at idle speed. Then shift to ”P” position.
4) Ensure trans oil temp 30-50 C. For best results, fluid should be at 30 C. An accurate level check is not possible if fluid temp rises above 50 C.
5) Undo oil filler plug
6) A small stream of fluid should flow out of the fill hole. If not, top up oil, Close the fill plug, Repeat from step # 3
7) Close the fill plug
8) Done!

[Homerlovesbeer]

Yep,

I'm going to warm up the car transmission again and try adding more fluid with the engine running.

Touch wood this is the problem

[X5only]

Also consider the point EODguy brought up in this thread to your query https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-change-4.html

[Homerlovesbeer]

Hi all again,

With the engine running I got the rest of the fluid in (about 1.2L) and now the shifts are good APART from the hard 2nd to 1st downshift on coming to a stop which is what I was trying to solve.

It used to do it occasionally now it does it every time. Going by information online this is caused by the bridge seal into the Mechatronics unit but I've now replaced that?

I assume if it wasn't seated properly I'd have all sorts of shift issues not just the 2nd to 1st downshift?

What is the fix for this?

Anyway I'm both relieved and disappointed at the same time.

I'm pretty sure I reset the shift adaptions properly so I'll give it a tank of Diesel and see how it goes.

So I suppose the last thing to try is but another bottle of ZF LifeguardFluid 6 and fill to overflowing (which I wasn't able to do).

Originally Posted by X5only

Also consider the point EODguy brought up in this thread to your query https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-change-4.html

Thanks!

Too late now to check