No warranty on those used trannys? Can you provide more background info on these transmissions? My OEM unit was shifting fine 150k miles or so then developed a leak in the main inner seal and so I opted to put in a used unit with < 60k miles and 1 year warranty. So far so good. That certainly doesn't mean valve body couldn't crap out on this one too.

 

I had a one year warranty on the second one but it has been in for 2.5 years

 

Wish I could help bro. Even the dealer doesnt repair these trannys. My local independent mini-specialist and local tranny shop don't repair them either and no one-rebuilds that I know of on the east coast. I heard about some guy one west coast that rebuilds. They just R&R them.

 

I've done a couple valve body swaps. When I installed my second RevMax VB I was getting codes until I double checked the fluid level which was off. If you have not already I would make sure your AT fluid is filled properly at the right level. Good luck either way!

 

Also, make sure the fluid temp is within the range specified by Aisin when checking. If it’s too cold the level will be too high and vice versa.

Unfortunately, the 1st gens don’t seem to have an OBD II trans fluid temp readout like the later MINI’s which makes it harder to set the proper level.

 

I have brought the fluid temp up to 100F and I have filled the trans to the level shown on the pelican parts website. I had the same codes before spent $599 for a new valve body did all the work and still have the same codes and the car stuck in 3rd gear. I can’t afford to put another transmission on it but I really want to keep the car.

 

Did you check the wiring/connector or try to reset the adaptations on the transmission control module? Not sure if it’s possible on 1st gen Aisin’s, but I’ve read it’s possible to reset the adaptations on the CVT module.

Maybe Way Motor Works knows or someone else on the forum who’s an expert with INPA/NCSExpert/DIS software.

 

Speedman, seems that the issue isn't the valve body if you're getting the same codes as with the old valve body and the fluid level was correct in both scenarios.

RB-MINI, good point about resetting adaptations. A trans shop put in my used trans but I doubt they reset any adaptations. I know that Autoenginuity can reset some adaptations. Not sure about the trans.

 

I have not reset the adaption yet. I thought since I had a code the soda the E circuit solenoid was low that the valve body would fix the problem. I am not sure that INPA software will access the TCM and that is why o started looking for someone. I am in Richmond Virginia and there aren’t any transmission shop around here that are eager to help. When you tell them it is a MC they immediately tell you it will need a new transmission.

 

I have put four years into getting it just right for me but I can’t afford to drop another $4800 on another transmission without trying to find out what is wrong. This is the second failure exactly the same way.

 

Why $4800? I think I paid $1200 for a unit with 60k miles with 1 year warranty plus installation.

 

The original transmission went up at 96k. The second transmission had 51k and a 24 month warranty. I got 36 months out of this one. ithe second transmission that went in cost $3150 plus $1600 to do all the work and reprogramming to swap them out. So I don’t want to go that same route again without a little more assurance that it will not happen again

 

why did this 3rd trans cost so much Speedman?

 

The '06 Mini I JUST stinking bought for my daughter like 6 days ago from a friend with 92,000 on it just slipped for the first time today a couple times. I'm going to go ahead and do the valve body replacement now followed by tranny fluid changes every 30k from here on out. Hopefully I'm able to get it running and dodge a costly bullet. I'm in South Bend, IN GreenR53. Any special tools needed to DIY this you could loan me?

 

That bentley guide link doesn't work. Here's the new one: https://bentleypubs.atlassian.net/wi...c+transmission

 

So I bought the valve body from RevMax. Everything installed easy enough. Got it all buttoned up with proper ATF level with fluid at proper temperature. Reset the adaptation values using ISTA+, took it for a drive and within 3 min, it gets stuck in 5th gear and I get the following fault code: 002921 - which is the Electronic pressure control valve SLC1. I did a readout of all the Solenoid valves using ISTA+ and get mA readings for every solenoid but SLC1, which is displaying 0.00 mA. I called RevMax and they said that solenoid must have been bad (in the rebuilt, tested unit they sent me). They told me to try swapping that solenoid with the one from the old valve body I took off. Does anybody have any idea what's going on? Has this happened to anyone? Did I really just get that unlucky that I got a faulty SLC1 solenoid from RevMax??? Any help or insight would be welcomed.

 

Here are few pics...

 

Tangential question. Did you send the original fluid to be tested for wear meals by chance?

 

No I did not. It was dark and a bit burnt smelling, but I didn't find anything bad in the pan, other than the typical gunk on the magnets.

 

Keep us posted bro. Wish I could be if more assistance.

Mine was flushed for the first time at 140k miles...

 

Ok, so feel like a bonehead... I hadn't fully plugged in that solenoid, so that was an easy fix. I reset the adaptations again with ISTA+ and went through the relearn procedure of shifting between gears several times, then driving up and down through the gears several times. It seemed to be smoothing out some. But then took it out a few hours after my initial drive (which was about an hour) and it was really jumpy from 1st to 2nd (like it was trying to let the clutch out 3 quick times in a row before it finally shifted). It wasn't harsh, it just felt like it was trying too hard or something. Then 2nd to 3rd was happening a bit too early and set me into 3rd with lower RPM's than it should have, making 3rd gear start out rather bogged down more than it should (like just a hair under 2k RPM's). How long does it take for the computer to relearn as much as it's going to? At what point do I assume it's just the solenoids that need adjusting or something? Also, I read that there can't be any fault codes present for the relearn procedure to actually work. I actually have a headlight and a taillight out, so I have 2 codes in the ISTA+ system, but no lights on in the dash or anything. Not sure if that counts and could possibly prevent the relearn from happening??

 

This page might be helpful: https://www.sonnax.com/tech_resource...n-fwd-6-speeds

About half way down the page, between the charts and valve body pics, are some notes, symptoms, and adjustments for Aisin valve bodies. If the info doesn't apply to the your specific valve body, the site has info on other valve bodies that might.

 

yeah, I’ve read that a few times. I was just hoping the relearn process takes longer than a few drives and could potentially solve it without me having to take off the oil pan and drain the tranny fluid again...

 

jvidamins, what's the latest? You get that tranny to behave itself?

 

1st to 2nd is still a bit choppy. 2nd to 3rd still shifts, then loses RPM's a split second after the shift. Weird... Maybe it's not relearning due to the headlight being out and throwing a code into the system? How long should it take for the relearn to be complete and iron out stuff like that? Never had either of those problems before with the old valve body. Good news is it hasn't slipped and clunked since the valvebody swap!