CVT VALVE BODY COMMON WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS

CVT VALVE BODY COMMON WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS Disclaimer: Please consult with a qualified auto technician before attempting to perform any diagnosis, repairs, or modifications based on this guide. Before attempting to perform any work in this guide read the manufacturer s repair manual for your transmission. Take all necessary safety precautions as performing work on automobiles may be hazardous. Berkeley Standard is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury resulting from repairs performed. Please consult the vehicle owner s manual, NHSTA, US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or other government standards to ensure the vehicle all safety parameters and no safety features are disabled during the course of diagnosis, repair, or other work. Version 09062017

Check ATF oil level and oil quality Check engine DTC, air filter, connector harness, and sensors Pass Problem exists outside valve body DTCs Valve body related DTC No DTC but transmission jolting or slippage. Resolve DTC causes (see common DTC notes below) Pass Check case connector plugs and valve body wire harness Repair/ replace case connector Repair trans. support mounts Inspect transmission mountings to ensure unit is securely installed Replace the valve body assembly and check connector harness Replace the valve body assembly and check connector harness Clear self-learning data Clear self-learning data Road test/calibrate (refer to guide on Pattern-B and road calibration) Road test/calibrate (refer to guide on Pattern-B and road calibration) Pass Pass Resolved Check DTC Resolved Check DTC Repair wire harness or transmission Resolve DTC causes (see notes below) Problem exists outside valve body

1. Complaint: Jerking during gear changes after valve body installation, self-learning data reset, or Pattern B data reset Incomplete or inaccurate self-learning data reset On some CVT models, it is normal for the vehicle to experience minor jerking when shifting to reverse gear immediately after valve body replacement and self-learning data reset. The valve body ROM should automatically self-learn and calibrate as the vehicle is given more time and distance to adjust to the new driver behavior. If symptoms persist after one week or 500 km, a new self-learning data reset is recommended. 2. Complaint: Abnormal gear display and gear change jolt after valve body replacement (RE0F10A) Valve body ROM damage or Pattern B execution error Redo Pattern B self-learning reset, if symptoms persist, a valve body ROM replacement is recommended. 3. Complaint: Engine tachometer fluctuation at 30-40 km/h, feeling of slippage (RE0F11A) Normal engine torsion control behavior when transmission shifts from low gear to high gear It is normal to experience slight tachometer fluctuation, especially after a valve body replacement and self-learning data reset. The normal fluctuation range is 500 rpm or less. As the vehicle is given more time and distance to adjust to the new driver behavior, the range of fluctuation should slowly decrease. If symptoms persist after one week or 500 km, a new self-learning data reset is recommended. 4. Complaint: Slow vehicle acceleration at low speed, feeling of slippage Normal CVT transmission self-regulating mechanism When the vehicle decelerates to 10 km/h and the accelerator is applied, it is common to experience a slower vehicle acceleration even though the engine RPM increases quickly. This is a normal CVT transmission self-regulating mechanism from sudden and abrupt speed changes in order to ensure smooth gear transition and protect pulleys and chain from damage. If there is no DTC, the transmission is operating normally.

5. Complaint: Smooth transition from N gear to R gear but jerking from D gear to R gear Normal transmission behavior It is normal to experience slight jerking sensation when changing from D gear to R gear, even though transition from N gear to R gear is smooth. This is an intrinsic artifact of the CVT transmission design and cannot be resolved by replacing the valve body. Please notify customer that such sensation is normal and a valve body replacement is not recommended. Non-valve body factors Before a valve body replacement, always first perform a thorough inspection for engine DTC, engine air filter, transmission case connector wire harness, transmission fluid quality, and sensors to ensure the cause of the transmission issue is originated from the valve body. Oil Pan and Sensors Inspect the inside of the oil pan and the input/output speed sensors for metal filings and debris contamination. The magnets in the oil pan should be free of metal contaminants (see pictures below). If there is clear sign of debris, DO NOT replace the valve body. Contaminated transmission fluid from metal debris is one of the leading causes of solenoid functional deviation and many DTCs manifest themselves from impaired solenoid operations in the valve body. Replacing the valve body without fixing the underlying cause of bad fluid may result in reoccurring the same transmission issues. When removing the output speed sensor and input speed sensor from the CVT, please pay attention to the padding/shims. Loss or damage to the padding or shims may cause damage to the transmission. On the RE0F11A the correct clearance between the sensor and the component it is monitoring is 0.04 inches. Add the appropriate number of shims to adjust to the correct clearance. Normal oil pan magnets Contaminated oil pan magnets Normal speed sensor Contaminated speed sensor

Transmission fluid The required CVT transmission fluid for all CVT-equipped Nissan vehicle models is NS-3 (HXLVT4000) or NS-2V (HXLVT40001). Transmission fluid should be translucent as pictured on the left sample in the picture. The center sample is old transmission fluid. The right sample shows burned transmission fluid. Burned transmission fluid is a symptom of serious problems and the transmission should be further investigated to prevent damage to the transmission. Harness and Connectors When solenoid or pressure sensor related DTC codes appear, the first step should be to check the case connector wire harness and the respective connectors to ensure there is no connectivity compromise or connector damage. Unplugged cables, bent or damaged pins, and damaged case connectors are common causes for valve body DTC codes even though the valve body may be functioning normally. See examples of cable with intact pins vs bent pins for reference. Intact pins Bent pins When replacing the valve body, the case connector should be COMPLETELY removed and reinstalled after the replacement. Due to the fragile connector and pin design on the case connector harness, a partial harness removal during the installation process is a common cause for bent pins and connector damage, which may in turn manifest themselves in the form of valve body DTC.

Engine Air Filter Before a transmission replacement, please confirms the vehicle only uses genuine Nissan engine air filters and there is no blockage or damage to the filters. Non-OEM air filters may cause deviation in engine air flow quality, which in term affect air flow sensor voltage output and directly affects engine performance. Improper engine and transmission coupling is a common cause of damage to CVT pulley and chains. Transmission Fluid Level Instructions on checking CVT2/RE0F10A/JF011E fluid level DRAIN PLUG CVT2/RE0F10A/JF011E transmission has a drain plug on the oil pan. There is no overfill tube, it uses a dipstick (CVT fluid level gauge) and tube to fill and check the fluid level. Checking the Transmission Fluid 1. Refill the transmission fluid using the fluid charge pipe (filler tube) to the proper level specified in the corresponding factory manual. 2. Start the engine and change gears one position at a time and return to P gear. Check the transmission fluid level when the fluid temperature is at 50 80 C 3. Use the dipstick (CVT fluid level guage) to check the transmission fluid level while the engine is idling. 4. Make sure the transmission fluid level is between the low and high values indicated on the dipstick.

Instructions on checking CVT7/RE0F11A/JF015E fluid level CVT VALVE BODY COMMON CVT FLUID REFILL LOCATION DRAIN PLUG AND FLUID LEVEL CHECK LOCATION CHARGE PIPE PLUG FLUID CHARGE PIPE (FILLER TUBE) CVT7/RE0F11A/JF015E transmission has a drain plug on the oil pan for draining fluid and for checking the fluid level. There is a overfill tube, but there is NO dipstick (CVT fluid level gauge). Checking the Transmission Fluid 1. Refill the transmission fluid using filler tube to the proper level specified in the corresponding factory manual. 2. Start the engine and change gears one position at a time and return to P gear. Check the transmission fluid level when the fluid temperature is at 35 45 C. 3. Check the transmission fluid level while the engine is idling through looking into the hole behind the drain plug with caution. 4. While the vehicle is idling, remove the drain plug and confirm that the CVT fluid is drained from the overflow tube. 5. If the CVT fluid is not drained, refill with the CVT fluid until there is fluid dripping from the overflow tube. 6. When the flow of CVT fluid slows to a drip, tighten the drain plug to the specified torque spec. 7. Always replace a drain plug gasket with new ones. 8. After replacement, always perform CVT fluid leakage check.

Instructions on checking CVT8/RE0F10D/JF017E fluid level CVT VALVE BODY COMMON WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS CVT FLUID REFILL LOCATION DRAIN PLUG CHARGE PIPE SET KV311039S0 INTERNAL HARNESS CONNECTOR LOWER FRONT CASE OVERFLOW PLUG CVT8/RE0F10D/JF017E transmission has a drain plug on the oil pan. It uses the same type of filler tube as the CVT2/RE0F10A/JF011E and the CVT7/RE0F11A/JF015E (shown in page 15), but there is NO dipstick (CVT fluid level gauge). Checking the Transmission Fluid 1. Always verify the fluid capacity at the correct temperature setting with the factory information for the vehicle your working on. 2. Confirm the transmission fluid temperature is at 40 C or less. 3. Make sure the selector lever is in P gear, completely engage the parking brake, then lift up the vehicle. 4. Remove the drain plug and drain the CVT fluid from the oil pan, then reinstall the drain plug. 5. Remove the overflow plug. 6. Using the charge pipe set (KV311039S0) to fill and check fluid level at the overflow plug located on the lower front case (bellhousing) near the pan rail. 7. Start the engine and change gears one position at a time and return to P gear. Check the transmission fluid level when the fluid temperature is at 35 45 C 8. While the engine is idling, remove the overflow plug and confirm that the CVT fluid is drained from the overflow plug hole. 9. If the CVT fluid is not drained, refill with the CVT fluid with the charging pipe set until there is fluid drains out from the charging pipe. 10. When the flow of CVT fluid slows to a drip, tighten the drain plug to the specified torque spec. 11. Always replace a drain plug gasket and O-ring with new ones. 12. After replacement, always perform CVT fluid leakage check.

Common DTCs and Notes P0744: Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent If DTC P0744 reappears after clearing the DTC and driving for a period of time, check the transmission for CVT fluid level and for any debris or impurities. If fluid condition is normal, the cause of the DTC may originate from the torque converter. In this case, a torque converter replacement may be needed and a valve body replacement is not recommended. P0846: Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch "B" Circuit Range/Performance; P0847: Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch B Circuit Low; P0848: Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch B Circuit High When these DTCs appear, first check the harness connector of the valve body pressure switch sensors for correct installation (The harness connector could be unplugged during valve body packaging for ease of shipping). Check the CVT fluid for signs of debris or impurities. Next, check that the case connector harness is not damaged and all connections are intact. Replace the valve body only if it passes all the inspection and the DTCs still appear. Leaks in the pulley feed or piston sealing rings may also cause pressure sensor and solenoid DTCs. P0746: Pressure Control Solenoid Performance If this DTC appears alone or in conjunction with other DTCs, check the CVT fluid and input/output speed sensors for metal shavings or debris. If there is clear presence of debris, DO NOT replace the valve body alone. Contaminated transmission fluid from metal debris is one of the leading causes of solenoid functional deviation and many DTCs manifest themselves from impaired solenoid operations in the valve body. Replacing the valve body without fixing the underlying cause of bad fluid or debris may result in reoccurring the same transmission issues. Leaks in the pulley feed or piston sealing rings may also cause pressure sensor and solenoid DTCs. P1777: Stepper Motor Circuit When this DTC is displayed, first check the case connector harness connectors for bent/damaged pins, damaged connectors, or harness damage. If there are no defects in the harness or connector, then a stepper motor or the valve body replacement maybe needed. If the DTC still appears after replacing the valve body or the stepper motor, a case connector harness replacement is recommended. P1778: Stepper Motor Function When this DTC appears, first follow the steps of P1777 for troubleshooting. If symptoms persist, a vehicle TCM (not to be confused with ROM on valve body) replacement may be needed.