Auto trans sealing sleeve

[cochise325]

Looking for some guidance. I replaced the sealing sleeve on my zf 6 speed automatic. Plugged the cable back in and buttoned it all up.

Went to start the car and found that there are error messages and the car will not start.

If you have previously replaced your sealing sleeve and know what the remedy is, I would be grateful to receive some advice.

Is it as simple as resetting the codes?

Thank you

[Critter7r]

Recheck your work, and the harnesses of anything you touched. If the battery was disconnected during the repairs, you shouldn't have any codes.

[cochise325]

Recheck your work, and the harnesses of anything you touched. If the battery was disconnected during the repairs, you shouldn't have any codes.

Thanks for the reply.

I discovered that I did not have the new mechatronic sealing sleeve seated completely. That prevented the harness from completing the electrical connection. So all is well now. Now I know that the car will not start if it loses communication with the automatic transmission.

For those of you contemplating replacing the sealing sleeve on your cars, here is some guidance (note: my car is an x-drive).

1.) Remove the belly pans
2.) lower exhaust about 6 inches.
3.) remove the transmission/transfer case cross member to gain space for your hands whilst removing the sealing sleeve
4.) drain the automatic transmission fluid
5.) remove the transmission pan
6.) unclip the retaining sleeve for the mechatronic sealing sleeve
7.) prise old sealing sleeve out
8.) press new sealing sleeve in, making sure it bottoms out (this takes some pressure)
9.) clip the retaining sleeve in place
10.) replace transmission pan and refill tranny
11.) rehang exhaust
12.) install belly pans
13.) Road test......have fun!

[NY Scotsman]

Thanks for the write up.

Just wondering, did you do this as part of your preventative maintenance or because you had an issue?

[cochise325]

Thanks for the write up.

Just wondering, did you do this as part of your preventative maintenance or because you had an issue?

I had a small leak and it was coming from around the mechatronic sealing sleeve. An excellent way to plan this as a preventative step, would be to combine it with a transmission fluid change (at 50k mile intervals). My car has 96k miles on it at the time of sleeve replacement, but I had just recently changed my transmission fluid and pan, so I could have saved some time if I had done the sealing sleeve then.

If you tackle the sleeve, be very careful around that sleeve and harness. If you damage the pins where the harness plugs into the mechatronic unit, it can get very expensive. So go slow and be real careful.