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.

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Version 09062017
 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON
WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS

Check ATF oil level and oil quality

Check engine DTC, air filter, connector Fail Problem exists

harness, and sensors outside valve body

Pass

DTCs

Valve body related DTC No DTC but transmission jolting

or slippage.

Fail Fail
Resolve DTC causes (see common Inspect transmission mountings
DTC notes below) Repair/ Repair to ensure unit is securely installed
replace trans.
Pass case support
connector mounts
Check case connector plugs and
valve body wire harness
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 Fail
Pass Fail Resolved Check DTC
Resolved Check DTC

Resolve DTC
causes (see
Repair wire
notes below)
harness or
transmission

Problem exists outside

valve body

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 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON
WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS

1. Complaint:
Jerking during gear changes after valve body installation, self-learning data reset, or “Pattern B”
data reset
Possible Cause:
Incomplete or inaccurate self-learning data reset
Recommended Action:
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)
Possible Cause:
Valve body ROM damage or Pattern B execution error
Recommended Action:
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)
Possible Cause:
Normal engine torsion control behavior when transmission shifts from low gear to high gear
Recommended Action:
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
Possible Cause:
Normal CVT transmission self-regulating mechanism
Recommended Action:
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.

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 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON
WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS

5. Complaint:
Smooth transition from N gear to R gear but jerking from D gear to R gear
Possible Cause:
Normal transmission behavior
Recommended Action:
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

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 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON
WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS
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.

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 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON
WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS
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.

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 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON
WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS
Instructions on checking CVT7/RE0F11A/JF015E fluid level

CVT FLUID DRAIN PLUG

REFILL AND FLUID LEVEL
LOCATION 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.

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 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON WARRANTY
COMPLAINTS AND TIPS

Instructions on checking CVT8/RE0F10D/JF017E fluid level

DRAIN
PLUG
CVT FLUID REFILL
LOCATION

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.

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 CVT VALVE BODY COMMON
WARRANTY COMPLAINTS AND TIPS
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.

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