Help Finding A Valve Body

[holedigger]

I have an 04 CS with 112K and a failing valve body. Classic hard downshift from 5-4 under load and occassionally from 4-3 while coasting to a stop. It's been scanned and no codes came up, just slamming into gear. I sent a certified ford mech friend of mine on a search for a source for a valve body and he sent me a link to http://www.revmaxconverters.com I am wondering if anyone out there has any positive or negative feedback about this. $659 sounds pretty cheap, and my favorite saying is "you get what you pay for". I don't want to waste $$$ on this and paying to have it installed if it is junk.

Thanks for any recommendations that you can pass along.

Here is the direct link to the part:

http://www.revmaxconverters.com/index.php/valve-bodies/updated-oem-replacements/09d-tr-60sn-488.html?

Edited January 29, 2013 by holedigger

[wvicary]

I have heard of that company before but don't know of anyone who has had dealings with them. They claim to have the Sonnax updates but no mention of the warranty period or any customer reviews.

[gbratk]

I try to contact revmax few times when I was looking for valve body, but I get no response. In the end, I end up with original Porsche part.

When you'll buying valve body, be sure to get the right one.

Maybe you should look these thread:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/43328-cayenne-s-transmission-valve-body-help/#entry232035

[holedigger]

Thanks for the replies. According to their website, they offer a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. I'm just a skeptic. Thanks for the thread gbratk.

[sydneyca]

Maybe a group purchase..duetch kroners...

[Revmax]

As far as your questions regarding a replacement valve body, what are your symptoms? We have done a large number of these valve bodies for the Cayenne, Toaureg and now Q7. I have attached a little bit of info that may be useful to you and others in your situation. As far as credibility, we are a very well known provider for this valve body with ClubToaureg.com. As you know your valve body is nearly identical to that of the Toaureg... Please also note that we have found that the rest of the transmission is quite robust! It is EXTREMELY RARE for the internals of this transmission to fail. It is almost always valve body related....

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f95/transmission-hard-down-shift-12203-18.html

Here are some common issues we see on the 09D TR60SN valve bodies.

Hope this Helps!!

Hello! As we have seen, there have been alot of forum members asking if this or that is a symptom of a valve body issue. We have compiled a list for you to review that goes over the classic issues the 09D / TR60SN valve body are notorious for.

The Cayenne as you know has been plagued by the AISIN valve body issues and can cause a large number of shift complaints. Some of them minor, and then some of them can be a major issue.

There is alot of incorrect information on the net and in forums regarding these units. With your help, we hope to clarify this information and streamline the diagnosis of the issues.

Here are some of the main issues that come from a valve body that needs to be replaced: These issues tend to surface after 40k miles....

• Harsh upshifts and/or downshifts when transmission becomes warm. When the trans fluid is cool, the issues will be gone or very minor most times. This is the most common issue....
• Harsh 5-4 Downshift
• Flare shifts from 1-2 or 2-3.
• Harsh downshifts from 3-2 or 2-1
• Slipping torque converter clutch
• Harsh or flaring 3-4 shift.
• Gear Ratio Error DTC's

The 09D / TR60SN valve body suffers from poorly designed solenoids and a very porous and wear prone valve body housing. The solenoids alone will not cure the shifting complaints that most of you describe. Without modifying the actual housings and valves contained within, the issue will still be present.

Currently new valve bodies acquired from the Porsche dealer will still be the same flawed design as the originals. The only way to permanently fix the issue is with an upgraded aftermarket valve body.

Note: replacing a still working valve body is not recommended. Some of these vehicles can go over a hundred thousand miles before requiring replacement. Please wait until you have the symptoms before you attempt the replacement.

Edited February 3, 2013 by Loren
removed huge white spaces

[bigbuzuki]

Changing the transmission oil alot earlier than the recommended 240,000km would prevent alot of these wear issues as well.

[hahnmgh63]

I definitely agree with Bigbuzuki and ask any transmission rebuilder if they believe in these horrendous change intervals, just like the engine. I change the ATF in both of my Automatics (Audi RS6 & Cayenne) at 40~50K intervals (Miles that is).

[darrinsmith]

I just got my valve body back from Revmax. Should reinstall this weekend hopefully.

It's 38oC here at the moment, and my garage is like an oven, so I'm waiting for it to cool a little.....

I've been taking pictures for a DIY also. Disasembly was surprisingly easy, abeit a little messy.

Mental note unlike an engine oil change you want to wait till the trans has cooled overnight and the fluid drained down. The valve body holds a couple of litres of fluid.

My trans is at 210,000 km, the fluid was black :-( magnets weren't that bad, I've seen pictures of some that look like chia pets!

Local dealer has NEVER done a fluid change! The parts guy confirmed they had never ordered or sold a trans filter! WOW...

Stay tuned for DIY with pics....

[holedigger]

@ revmax > the symptoms are as you describe. Harsh 5-4 shifts and an occasional harsh 3-2 while coasting to a stop. Symptoms occur when RPMs are low and engine is under high load, i.e. at the bottom of the specified gear range, like when exiting a corner, while progressivle getting heavier on the throttle in need for a downshift. NO codes are coming up after a scan. Dealer advises replacing the entire trans, as they are calling the issue as a "slipping trans" That's BS if you ask me.

@darrinsmith > Looking forward to the DIY...

[Revmax]

@ revmax > the symptoms are as you describe. Harsh 5-4 shifts and an occasional harsh 3-2 while coasting to a stop. Symptoms occur when RPMs are low and engine is under high load, i.e. at the bottom of the specified gear range, like when exiting a corner, while progressivle getting heavier on the throttle in need for a downshift. NO codes are coming up after a scan. Dealer advises replacing the entire trans, as they are calling the issue as a "slipping trans" That's BS if you ask me.

@darrinsmith > Looking forward to the DIY...

Yes, the issue is nothing more than a valve body. DO NOT waste your money on a complete transmission as it is not needed!

[gbratk]

@ revmax > the symptoms are as you describe. Harsh 5-4 shifts and an occasional harsh 3-2 while coasting to a stop. Symptoms occur when RPMs are low and engine is under high load, i.e. at the bottom of the specified gear range, like when exiting a corner, while progressivle getting heavier on the throttle in need for a downshift. NO codes are coming up after a scan. Dealer advises replacing the entire trans, as they are calling the issue as a "slipping trans" That's BS if you ask me.

@darrinsmith > Looking forward to the DIY...

Yes, the issue is nothing more than a valve body. DO NOT waste your money on a complete transmission as it is not needed!

+1 Valve body

I had the same problems, and after replacing Valve body and TCM, car shifts better than new. Like I said many times, It's not cheap job, but it's worth every penny.

Edited February 5, 2013 by gbratk

[darrinsmith]

DIY is awaiting approval in Cayenne common fixed and repairs. Hope you all find it useful.....

[smellthebeans]

"Currently new valve bodies acquired from the Porsche dealer will still be the same flawed design as the originals. The only way to permanently fix the issue is with an upgraded aftermarket valve body."

The Porsche replacement is NOT sourced from Asin. It is a brand new part made by ZF in Germany so I assume all of the those issues are solved. There was no core return, I could have taken the old part home! I asked this prior to replacement because I did not want to visit this issue again in another 40 thousand miles.

I had my valve body replaced at my dealer in Reutlingen Germany. At the time she had about 43K miles and had been exhibiting symptomatic whacks or clunks for a few months. The only way around the issue was to lift off throttle & coast, manually down shift into 4th. Once I felt it slip into gear then I gave it the beans. I am happy to report it shifts wonderfully now.

[VIPNiSS]

can someone please verify if a new TCM is required when changing the valve body?

[bigbuzuki]

Depends on the current part numbers (hardware/software) of your ECU and TCM.

[Revmax]

"Currently new valve bodies acquired from the Porsche dealer will still be the same flawed design as the originals. The only way to permanently fix the issue is with an upgraded aftermarket valve body."

The Porsche replacement is NOT sourced from Asin. It is a brand new part made by ZF in Germany so I assume all of the those issues are solved. There was no core return, I could have taken the old part home! I asked this prior to replacement because I did not want to visit this issue again in another 40 thousand miles.

I had my valve body replaced at my dealer in Reutlingen Germany. At the time she had about 43K miles and had been exhibiting symptomatic whacks or clunks for a few months. The only way around the issue was to lift off throttle & coast, manually down shift into 4th. Once I felt it slip into gear then I gave it the beans. I am happy to report it shifts wonderfully now.

Your post above is incorrect and you need to check your sources for the flawed information you posted...

The transmission in ALL Cayenne's thru model year 2009 is the Aisin 09D TR60SN. ZF does not make ANY replacement parts for any transmissions other than ZF. Aisin is the sole OEM supplier for replacement valve bodies for the 09D TR60SN. The valve bodies that the dealer is currently selling is the exact same design. It has the same casting and solenoid defects as the the failing valve bodies do.

[Revmax]

Depends on the current part numbers (hardware/software) of your ECU and TCM.

We have never had to have a customer update or change TCM or ECM with a replacment valve body. The transmission adapts must be reset and the transmission must be drive learned and that is all that is needed when swapping in a replacement valve body.

[smellthebeans]

Your post above is incorrect and you need to check your sources for the flawed information you posted...

The transmission in ALL Cayenne's thru model year 2009 is the Aisin 09D TR60SN. ZF does not make ANY replacement parts for any transmissions other than ZF. Aisin is the sole OEM supplier for replacement valve bodies for the 09D TR60SN. The valve bodies that the dealer is currently selling is the exact same design. It has the same casting and solenoid defects as the the failing valve bodies do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ZF rebuilds the valve body here (Germany...not USA). Wishing not to revisit the sound of a sledge hammer under the car when down shifting I made sure to ask where the replacement came from.

ZF offers a range of services including rebuilding and supplying replacement parts follow the link and see for yourself.

"These are comprehensive selections from ZF-owned brands like SACHS and ZF Parts, as well as non-ZF brands."

http://www.zf.com/media/media/document/corporate_2/products_3/services_2/remanufacturing_1/zf_reman_brochure_EN.pdf

The package I saw had a return address here:

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Powertrain TechnologyPostfach 65 04 6466143 Saarbrücken

[jcb928]

I have heard of that company before but don't know of anyone who has had dealings with them. They claim to have the Sonnax updates but no mention of the warranty period or any customer reviews.

Hey Guys,

I am new here but have been on Rennlist for years under the same user name.

My newly acquired Cayenne was suffering from harsh down shifts mostly from 4-3 but sometimes 3-2 (under load). After researching all the options I decided to order a rebuilt valve body from http://www.revmaxconverters.com/

The order was shipped out within a day and when the valve body arrived it looked like a new part and they also include a return shipping label. My mechanic did the change but I supplied the valve body, parts and trans fluid (I went with Mobile 1 ATF 3309). The total cost ended up being just under $1200.

The transmission now shifts MUCH smoother with no harsh down shifts at all.

Revmax also processed my core charge refund within a day of receiving my old valve body.

If you need a valve body I would recommend Revmax.

[friesian55]

you can also go to valve body rebuilders in cambridge ontario canada phone number 1-866-724-4971 ask for steve they have done lots of porsche valve bodies

Edited October 11, 2013 by friesian55