ZF 6HP Adaptations Video
Hi everyone,
I’m Mickey …. I own a BMW and MINI repair shop called Best Motor Works & Sports in Gainesville Florida. I specialize in ZF transmission diagnostics and repair. I recently worked with Scott Brown to create a two-part video series for Diagnostic Network. These videos cover the 6 speed gearbox, called the 6HP, that was used in hundreds of thousands of BMW's, Jaguars, Land Rovers, VW's and Audis beginning around 2001 through 2011. If you're a European shop servicing these vehicles, I encourage you to take a look at these short overviews.
VIDEO 1 - Adaptations and Relearn
This first video covers the importance of getting a comfort level with the adaptations values, (Audi example) which in my opinion is a key preventive maintenance diagnostic tool and a great way to spot the onset of impending transmission problems. I will also explain how the ZF Mechatronic system logic is continuously adapting to find the optimal slippage point of all gears. The other important part included here is the why and how of the intricate relearn procedure. The procedure must be carried out exactly as outlined by the manufacturer and can often take 45-plus minutes to do properly. I have included the four relearn (adaption) procedures for BMW with this post (please look towards the bottom of this post). GS 19.02 with software A is the least complex procedure. Other versions require extensive exercises and as you can see, take quite a bit of time to complete. Other manufacturers have their own unique ZF-specified procedures and I have included the WV/Audi sequence in this message as well.
If any of you guys have documents for any of the other brands, please post and share them with our community here on Diagnostic Network.
VIDEO 2 - Common Failures (Will be posted soon and introduced in a separate post)
In part 2 of this series, we will continue to demonstrate the value of the scan tool data (adaptation values) to preemptively ID impending failure conditions on the ZF 6HP units. As long as you don't have the classic gear monitoring fault codes (4f84 and 4f85), you can easily and successfully repair these units and save your customer thousands. This video reiterates how important it is regularly monitor your customers' EGS adaptation numbers to stave off imminent transmission failure.
Here's the lookup table for the 4 levels of software used on the various ZF 6HP’s installed on BMW vehicles. Use the lookup table to match the BMW model to applicable road test chart (Software A, N, P, of T).
Software A - 1902 Road Test Relearn PDF
Software N - 1904 Road Test Relearn PDF
Software P - 1911 Road Test Relearn PDF