How to Reset & Re-learn the 6HP19/21 Transmission Adaptations

[AUbeast86]

Hey guys, here's Part 2 of the DIY sequence of refilling your trans with fluid which is resetting and relearning the adaptions. This procedure is quite involved and should take a little over an hour to complete so please DO NOT omit it. This is a critical component to restoring the shift quality and building longevity into your transmission. Please study it and ask any questions you might have before starting.

 

[1and1]

Thanks for the clear & concise process!

About how many miles are we talking to complete Step 2, M-Mode Relearn?
Asking because speeds are often slow enough to eliminate highway, but distance covered without applying brakes seems long enough to eliminate many other roads...?

I live out in the country and can often get away with being more flexible than average, but not sure even I can pull off that list!

 

[AUbeast86]

About how many miles are we talking to complete Step 2, M-Mode Relearn?
Asking because speeds are often slow enough to eliminate highway, but distance covered without applying brakes seems long enough to eliminate many other roads...?

I live out in the country and can often get away with being more flexible than average, but not sure even I can pull off that list!

Step 1 D-Mode is imperative and doesn't take that long.
Step 2 M-Mode isn't as critical as Step 1 so not doing it might require a little longer of a self learn process, which translates to a longer time that you might experience a little rougher shifts. I'm not exactly sure about the mileage required but if you need to come to a stop to turn around and things like that, I don't think that should be a problem.
I performed this process yesterday and had to turn around several times during Step 2.

 

[AUbeast86]

It's also best to get to where you are going to conduct the process first then pull over and reset the adaptations there. The shifts are pretty violent right after reset, which is why it states to accelerate with very light throttle input so you don't cause any internal damage.

 

[1and1]

whew! That's totally do-able- no worries then! Resetting the adaptations in the area you're going to relearn is good also to be sure the temps are good to go.

Lolz- I was reading it as touching the brakes meant starting step 2 all over again Where I am it would be easy to do part 4 all at once, or part 6 all at once- no sweat!

 

[AUbeast86]

whew! That's totally do-able- no worries then! Resetting the adaptations in the area you're going to relearn is good also to be sure the temps are good to go.

Lolz- I was reading it as touching the brakes meant starting step 2 all over again Where I am it would be easy to do part 4 all at once, or part 6 all at once- no sweat!

Good deal. I know it looks a bit daunting at first glance but it's really not that bad.

 

[R.G.]

I recently did this...it's a f'ing nightmare. Started on one side of the city at 3am and ended on the complete opposite side at 4am. People see you going 45 on the highway at three in the morning and they join along at that speed. PASS ME ALREADY YOU TWITS

 

[808AWD325xi]

One minor error in your interpretation of the ZF adaptation procedures...

2. Step 2 Adaptation Re-Learn Procedure (M-Mode)
1) With the shifter in M Mode, accelerate the vehicle to ~30mph and select 3rd gear
2) Continue driving for 2 miles
3) Accelerate the vehicle to ~45mph and select 5th gear
4) Using light throttle, accelerate to 50mph 60mph and then coast to ~40mph without applying the
brakes, repeat for 4 cycles, then
5) Accelerate to 55mph and select 6th gear
6) With light throttle, accelerate to 65mph then coast to 50mph without applying the brakes, repeat for 4 cycles, then
7) Select 3rd gear and repeat steps 1-6 for 5 cycles, then coast to a standstill and proceed to Step 3 below

The ZF Technical Training Workbook which describes the adaptation procedures can be found here (Page 43):
http://www.natef.org/NATEF/media/NATEFMedia/2015 ASEIEA Conference/ZF_Workbook-transmission-6-8HP.pdf

 

[DaZuc]

You can't perform this while the car is in the air on a lift or jack stands?

Thanks for the DIY

 

[AUbeast86]

You can't perform this while the car is in the air on a lift or jack stands?

Thanks for the DIY

No, you cannot.
For one, the DTC system will not let the rear wheels exceed a certain speed without feedback from other sensors like g-sensors and accelerometers.
Secondly, and most importantly, the transmission needs to be under load to adequately perform the adaptation adjustments.

 

[R.G.]

Load based dyno would work and would probably be the best/safest way

 

[jdm5596]

Damn, this is pretty involved...

 

[jdm5596]

Id like to do it though...

 

[AUbeast86]

Damn, this is pretty involved...

It's involved and necessary, although only Step1 is absolutely critical. You can get by with only doing Step1 but be aware that your shift quality will take longer to smooth out.

 

[jdm5596]

Yea ill have to find a good place to do it.

 

[vblanche]

Hello,

My car (2006 E91 330xi; european (I'm in France)) got a mecatronics replacement and gearbox oil change done (back in Aug, before I bought it). I'm not sure they performed the Reset & Relearn Automatic Transmission Adaptations. Should I do it now?

Thanks,
Vincent

 

[doublespaces]

Hello,

My car (2006 E91 330xi; european (I'm in France)) got a mecatronics replacement and gearbox oil change done (back in Aug, before I bought it). I'm not sure they performed the Reset & Relearn Automatic Transmission Adaptations. Should I do it now?

Thanks,
Vincent

Have you've been driving the car since then and it drives fine?

 

[vblanche]

Have you've been driving the car since then and it drives fine?

yes, I've been drving it. However I can feel some shifts, it is not very smooth. And I don't know what to refer to, as it is my first car with such transmission.

 

[cornboost117]

Hello sorry to bring back an old thread but I was wondering if adaptations were to be reset but the procedures not followed will the transmission eventually learn or will it have rough shifting until atleast the d mode process is completed to its entirety? Mechatronic solenoids were serviced and I believe they reset the adaptations but I doubt they did any of this.

I get a malfunction light every once in awhile and some hard shift before it fully warms up. Only about 200 MI since done. TIA