[TBean505]

Here is the back story. 2008 335i with 6hp21. Original transmission was having issues on 3 to 4 shift. It would slip really bad then it would get a transmission malfunction and stay in 3rd gear. Have tried new Solenoids. All new sleeves and seals. New fluid. Yes it’s been filled the proper way. Which led me to where I am now. New used (good) transmission is now in the car. All for nothing same exact issue….adaptions we’re reset for first drive. Yes I was following the relearn process as best as I could without being on an abandoned air strip. Where do I start now ? Thanks

[jadams161]

I was under the assumption that you needed the TCU from the donor car when you do a swap..but I could be wrong.

But...You never want to reset the transmission adaptations unless you have completely rebuilt the unit with new internals including clutches and plates. Not much you can do now. That trans will never be the same as there is no way to complete the adaptation driving correctly on regular roads.

[TBean505]

Originally Posted by jadams161

You never want to reset the transmission adaptations unless you have completely rebuilt the unit with new internals including clutches and plates. Not much you can do now. That trans will never be the same as there is no way to complete the adaptation driving correctly on regular roads.

Thanks for the response. I’ve read alot of mixed opinions on resetting the adaptations. But there has to be a way now. There is no such way to manually give the car a good base line of adaptions ? If there is no way to complete the adaptions on regular roads how is alot of other people having no issues when resetting adaptions for example after flashing alpina onto 335i? Any suggestions ?

[jadams161]

ZF themselves states clearly to never reset adaptations unless the unit is entirely rebuilt. They also recommend fluid changes at 50k while the morons at BMW state fluid is lifetime. I'm not sure what to tell you I'm not a big transmission guy but I've never seen a post by someone describing complete success with driveability after messing with adaptions

[TBean505]

Originally Posted by jadams161

ZF themselves states clearly to never reset adaptations unless the unit is entirely rebuilt. They also recommend fluid changes at 50k while the morons at BMW state fluid is lifetime. I'm not sure what to tell you I'm not a big transmission guy but I've never seen a post by someone describing complete success with driveability after messing with adaptions

Thank you for taking the time to try and give a solution ! If anyone has more experience with such issues please feel free to help !
I will update if I figure anything out.

[NZE90]

I have reset adaptions on the ZF loads of times and never had an issue. If you follow the below relearn procedure it will be fine if the transmission and valve body are in good condition. If you continue having shift issues there are other underlying problems such as a worn valve body. FWIW a worn valve body is the most common cause of shift problems. People generally don't address these issues which leads to bigger failures.

[TBean505]

Originally Posted by NZE90

I have reset adaptions on the ZF loads of times and never had an issue. If you follow the below relearn procedure it will be fine if the transmission and valve body are in good condition. If you continue having shift issues there are other underlying problems such as a worn valve body. FWIW a worn valve body is the most common cause of shift problems. People generally don't address these issues which leads to bigger failures.

Thanks for the response. I can’t even get past the first step the 3 to 4 shift with light throttle will slip then stays in 3rd till the error is cleared. Is it just a coincidence that the two transmissions both have the same exact issue ? Or am I doing something wrong?

[NZE90]

Originally Posted by TBean505

Thanks for the response. I can’t even get past the first step the 3 to 4 shift with light throttle will slip then stays in 3rd till the error is cleared. Is it just a coincidence that the two transmissions both have the same exact issue ? Or am I doing something wrong?

Ive never had any issues following this procedure. It sounds like you have other problems then.

[NZE90]

Can you post all the fault codes in the car? Not just transmission ones.

[TBean505]

Originally Posted by NZE90

Can you post all the fault codes in the car? Not just transmission ones.

Yes one moment.

[TBean505]

Here are all the errors

[NZE90]

4F89 is a worry. Generally means a clutch pack is toast when you have gear ratio monitoring faults. Do you have ISTA?

[TBean505]

I have ista. I have never used it and I thought it cost money but if it doesn’t yes what do you suggest?

[NZE90]

It doesn't cost money to use it. It has guided troubleshooting in it which may help. Can you do a scan with it then post the codes.
I was also going to suggest looking at the clutch fill times.

[TBean505]

Okay I will work on getting this. Is there a video or link you recommend on downloading and setting up ISTA?

[NZE90]

Post a request in this link.

[GoRomeo]

Let me chime in…

Had same issues and ended up rebuilding my ZF tranny on my E88 i bought last year due to bad valve body which led to bad 4-5 gear clutches. It wouid slip. I knew about this issue when I bought it from last owner but I bit the bullet since I got a really good deal. Be ready to rebuild your tranny in a reputable tranny shop. Neec to rebuild valve body clutches O rigns pretty much all the inside. Now my tranny is like new again. Love driving my 1 series when I can. Good luck. ✌️☺️

I also had an issue with my E90 ZF tranny like 5 yrs ago but the symptoms were a bit different. It was more like a jolt whrn going from second to first coming to a stop. I replaced the parts you mentioned such as the solenoids gaskets filter and fluid and the issue was fixed. 🙏

[TBean505]

Originally Posted by NZE90

Post a request in this link.

Okay I now have ISTA+ installed. Could you kindly walk me through on how to use the program and get the info you were wanting from it ? I have a kdcan cable. Everything is set up for inpa and winkFP. If that even matters lol. Thanks

[TBean505]

I think I am onto something here. Without resetting adaptions. These are the current adaptions. After driving for probably 15 min Is the car not relearning at all?

[JB20DGM]

Keep in mind that the transmission needs to be up to temp, I think it's a min of 75C, for it to be able to start to do any kind of adaptation.

If it's really cold, might take longer than you think to get to temp and be consistent enough for the adaptations...but that would be something you'd want to be monitoring if you can.

[TBean505]

Originally Posted by JB20DGM

Keep in mind that the transmission needs to be up to temp, I think it's a min of 75C, for it to be able to start to do any kind of adaptation.

If it's really cold, might take longer than you think to get to temp and be consistent enough for the adaptations...but that would be something you'd want to be monitoring if you can.

I think this is my issue. Thanks I did know about it having to be up to temp but the error was at 57c so it wasent warm enough. Could this be causing my issues with 3 to 4 shift ?

[NZE90]

I highly doubt it. I think you have other problems. Those clutch fill times won't appear until you have driven approx 100kms or so and since you can't do that with your trans the way it is it's probably useless information. Just checking, but are you sure you filled the trans fluid correctly? Eg, fill to the level plug first, then run the engine, shift into D and R then refill again while the engine is running?