This technical article describes how to perform an adaptation on MINI CVT transmissions. Read throuroughly and be sure to perform exactly as described. If adaptation fails, let vehicle cool and begin again.

See full list on northamericanmotoring.com. Apr 02, 2017 MINI Cooper Automatic Transmission Issue. For years, we have seen many MINI Coopers in the R53 / R52 line, and some models of the R56 line (up to 2011), with the AISIN automatic transmission (NOT the CVT transmissionthose are still without a great solution), have all sorts of issues, usually starting at about 70-80k miles. The automatic transmission on our 2012 R56 MINI Cooper does not have a dip stick for checking the fluid level, however there is a method to check the level which involves crawling under the car. Perhaps best if a shop does this.

Press and hold brake in the following steps.

STEP ONE

• Begin with a cold engine. Start Engine.
• Place CVT transmission into adaptation mode using FARSIGHT MVDS.
• “X” will appear next to the P, R, N, D on the instrument cluster (“X” denotes the transmission needs to be adapted).
• While the “X” is displayed, the CVT transmission will STAY IN LOW GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT UP.
• Place the gear selector lever into the NEUTRAL position for ten seconds.
• Then place the gear selector lever into the DRIVE positon for ten seconds.
• Repeat the above procedure TEN TIMES.
• After completion, place the gear selector lever into the REVERSE position for ten seconds.
• Then place the gear selector lever into the NEUTRAL position for ten seconds.
• Repeat the above procedure TEN TIMES.

NOTE: by placing the gear selector lever into the positions for ten seconds each, we are “ratcheting” the solenoids into a reset or zero positon. Simultaneously we are pulling the ratio gear actuating motor into a zero position.

STEP TWO

Up-shift ratio adaptation

NOTE: before attempting the up-shift adaptation, turn engine off. Check the oil level in the crankcase. Check the drive belt condition. Check the coolant level.

BE ADVISED: when you take this vehicle out on the road to “drive in” the up-shift adaptation, the engine can possibly reach high RPM’s in 4000 rpm range. The vehicle will “buck” and shake while the engine is trying to reach adaptation rpms. This is NORMAL.

Mini Cooper Automatic Transmission

If the vehicle has high mileage, there is the possibility the engine or transmission can be damaged by this process. Notify customer of risk involved with high mileage vehicles.

• Take the vehicle to safe area where you can drive safely, accelerating and slowing down without obstructing traffic.
• From a dead stop accelerate (quickly) up to 55 MPH. As you accelerate, you should feel the transmission slip into something that resembles “second gear”. This will allow the vehicle to reach 55 MPH.
• When the vehicle has reached 55 MPH, maintain this speed for approximately ten seconds.
• Slip your foot off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to COAST DOWN to almost zero mile per hour.

DO NOT APPLY THE BRAKE DURING COAST DOWN UNLESS NECESSARY. If brakes are applied, adaptation will stop and need to e restarted from beginning, (it is not necessary to perform the shifting procedure). Be smart, do not take a risk trying to avoid braking. Stop as needed for safety.

• As the vehicle coasts down, the “X” will go out.
• When the “X” disappears, this means the adaptation has successfully completed.
• Safely stop the vehicle, wait ten seconds and then proceed ahead. The transmission should shift correctly now.

NOTE: sometimes the procedure does not work the first time. If so, start from a dead stop and try again. If after a few try’s (3 at most) the adaptation procedure fails to happen, there may be something wrong with the transmission. The CVT has been known to get permanently stuck in low gear if the gear ratio actuator motor fails. This typically results in a transmission rebuild or replacement.

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MINI Cooper: Problems & Solutions - Page 6 — Car Forums At ...

MINI Cooper Automatic Transmission Issue

For years, we have seen many MINI Coopers in the R53 / R52 line, and some models of the R56 line (up to 2011), with the AISIN automatic transmission (NOT the CVT transmission…those are still without a great solution), have all sorts of issues, usually starting at about 70-80k miles. This, while concerning, would not normally be an issue, but for the longest time there were no solutions….if this occurred to your car, the only choice was to get another transmission (either used, or rebuilt from MINI). This is still a solution, but a very expensive solution, and we have seen cases where the repair cost and transmission cost are more than the value of the car. So, if this happened to you…before, you could just throw a stick of dynamite into the car and walk away, as there was nothing that could be done. You could even make the problem worse by trying to do a normal transmission service…replace the fluid (lifetime type fluid), filter, pan, gasket, and then test drive the car. You may get about 1/2 mile into the test drive, and then the transmission will quit completely, stranding you. The new fluid, and clean filter, are so thin, that they “blow by” the current used internal seals / gaskets, and the hydraulic solenoids can not develop the right pressure, and therefore, stop working.

Thank goodness, there now finally is an answer.

The problem laid in the valve body inside the transmission. Before, you could not obtain any parts, at least not from MINI or BMW….you couldn’t find part numbers, nothing And, for the most part, that is still the same. However, there are many other cars out there that use this same transmission. So, after much research, BRracing has found a source for the internal parts of the AISIN type GAF21WA-TANA or 6F21WA/TF60N automatic transmission.

We can now get any of the solenoids, the valve body, or any of the normal “re-build” type parts. Not only can we get them, but we have tried various approaches on the rebuild…doing a complete valve body, doing individual solenoids..or some combination, and we can joyously report that ALL these approaches work. Woo Hoo…no more dead cars, no more throwing the car out w the bath water.

See Full List On Northamericanmotoring.com

BRracing – solving the tough service issues, and bringing JOY to our customers