So does that mean I can swap parts with all generation 1 mini's?

 

 

 

 

It can be many things in the transmission. If you just bought the car, the previous owner made the problem yours. I am sorry you are stuck dealing with this issue. The trans has issues and usually they are costly. Find that Mini specific shop, or try to find some local Mini people to help you DX and get pointed the right direction for a fix.
The shop you went to, did you no favors and cost you big!
The trans sounds like it is not shifting at all, which can be several things, from low fluid to bad valve body, or stepper motor, inside the trans. There is also the possibility, the controller under the shifter has become unplugged or has failed. You need good help to repair issues like this.

 

That sounds right, I don't think the Aisin's with the N14/N18 engines or any other MINI's are compatible, except from the supercharged R53 or R52S.

 

 

OK I got something new here. With being told that I had a bad pressure control solenoid in my valve body, I chose to buy a whole new valve body with the solenoids in it already. I have not yet installed it because upon driving the car while the car was at about 4 RPM while going 30MPH (like it was stuck in 1st gear) I turned the ignition off and back on and it switched gears when the motor was running. So now I was able to go 50MPH at a normal 2RPM, and up to 70 MPH at around 2 and a half RPMs. Which seems like how it was supposed to be running. But the only way I can get it to shift to the next gear is if I turn the car off while going about 20MPH and then start it back up immediately while it is still moving, then I will be in the appropriate gear. But when I slow down and come to a stop sign, then try to take off it lags because it is taking off in a high gear, the gear that I turned the car off to achieve. So in order for it to not take off in a high gear, once i stop I have to put the car back in P then back to D so it will be in 1st gear again.....

So my question is, it seems like my transmission is running fine if it is put in the right gear by me turning the car off then on while still moving, and it jumps to the next gear. SO would the Valve Body and the solenoid that I purchased be the reason for the car not shifting? Or could it be something electric like the TCM or something? And can those be bought refurbished? and do they have to be programmed? Or what do you guys think?

 

why are you posting in yellow?

 

Ms Mini
I'm still not entirely certain exactly which transmission you have, but from what you've just said, it seems it is mechanically functional..
One free thing you could try is to disconnect the battery overnight & see if anything changes.
Beyond that, there may be a transmission adaptations reset procedure to go through.
If so & you can't find anything suitable on YouTube, I suspect you'll need a true MINI specialist or dealer.
I don't think you need a $6,000 transmission! (Just my opinion).

 

Just bringing in some warmth!

 

I have the Aisin transmission I believe. I live 200 miles from the nearest mini dealer but now that I was able to get my car to switch gears maybe I can chance it. Im still curious to why min paddle shifters or manual/sport mode is not working at all. On the adaptions, I thought that process was only for the CVT tranny, no?

 

Yes, the S has an Aisin automatic transmission. 1st gen non-S had CVT's, which was replaced with an Aisin for the 2nd gen.

It sounds like an electronic issue, but there are still too many unknowns to give a better diagnosis. Unfortuntely, the info on these transmissions regarding MINI's is not the best as can be seen from the following thread. After 54 pages of info, it still leaves many questions on how to fix the various issues with the Aisin: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ed-at-80k.html

What does the indicator say in the speedo, does it display the gear or EP? When you move the lever into sport mode does the speedo intially indicate SD, and does the M/S indicator light up next to the lever?

Hopefully someone like WMW can confirm, but I believe there's also an adaptation reset procedure for the Aisin.

 

Good post, RB-MINI !

I just plowed through some of the 54-page thread & came across this link which might be worth a shot, though I'd think disconnecting the battery overnight would achieve the same thing. It's post #29 if the link doesn't go straight there.
However, it's also a chance to check for loose/corroded plugs in the transmission control unit.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-at-80k-2.html

 

Disconnectiong the battery overnight might help and is a cheap thing to try.

Also, the recommendation for checking the connector on the TCU is a good idea. Even if it looks good, sometimes just unplugging and reseating the connector can fix things. I would also do the same for the shift lever. Coffee/soda/water spills are common and can short out the electronics.

 

Yes on the instrument cluster it say EP at all times. When I put it into sport mode it still says EP and it never goes into sport/manual mode and I cant change gears with the paddle shifters or the gear *** thing it just stays in automatic the entire time. But on the gear *** thing between the seats when I push it over to the right it does light up M/S right there, but not on the instrument cluster.

I have an extra instrument cluster I bought because the first mechanic shop told me that was the problem but nothing changed so i put the old one back on, also I have a used valve body I bought off of ebay because he also told me it was a pressure control solenoid. I haven't had it installed yet tho.

 

How do I check theses connectors, where are they located?

 

 

This thread says the module is under the dash on the firewall, above the steering column. Post #3 has a pic: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cm-module.html
The original poster said a replacement module solved his problem.

In this thread one poster said the paddles were the problem, and another said resetting the transmission control module and the adaptations fixed his shifting issues:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-issues-3.html

The shift lever connector should be under the center console. It's a short cable attached to the shift lever unit.

As you can see from the 54 page thread and the two in this post, there are several things that can be causing the problem and a lot vague information on diagnosing and fixing problems with the Aisin. I'm just trying to think of some things to check that should be little to no cost if you can do it yourself, or have a friend help. Maybe the issue will turn out to be something less invasive and a lot cheaper than going into the transmission itself.

 

 

I agree 100% !

One thing I'd suggest is to get all the numbers off the TCM while you're checking the plug. If it turns out to be the problem, you may need an EXACT replacement. There seem to be plenty around for $100 or so, but you need an EXACT match.