Replaces all seven pressure and shift solenoids on a ZF 6HP26 valve body to cure harsh 2-3 shifts, cold engagement delay and limp mode.
A 545i, 750Li, Jaguar XJ or Audi A8 that thumps through the 2-3 shift, sits for a second or two before it engages Drive on a cold morning, or slips at light throttle before finally locking itself in third with a warning light is showing the classic signs of worn 6HP26 solenoids. This remanufactured 7-piece set, OEM reference 1068298044, replaces the shift and pressure solenoids on the valve body in one job for the ZF 6HP19, 6HP26, 6HP26X and 6HP32.
The 6HP26 is the heavier-duty member of the first-generation 6HP family, built to sit behind V8 and larger six-cylinder engines. Its solenoids live on the valve body under the mechatronic cover, and between them they set line pressure and control the apply and release of every clutch. Most of them are pressure regulators rather than simple on-off valves: the transmission module sends a varying current and expects a matching oil pressure back. As the pintle and bore inside each solenoid wear, that current-to-pressure curve drifts. The module sees shifts taking too long or too short and keeps adjusting its adaptations, which is why a 6HP26 often feels fine for months and then deteriorates quickly once the corrections run out.
Pull codes with a tool that reads the transmission module directly, and check fluid level at the fill plug before anything else. If the trouble is on every shift and the converter also slips, the line pressure side is the likely cause, and our ZF6HP pressure control solenoid guide explains how to separate a bad solenoid from a worn solenoid pressure regulator valve, since the regulator bore produces nearly identical complaints and a new solenoid set will not cure it. If the problem isolates to one shift, the shift solenoid testing guide covers the bench checks.
Per the listing, this set covers BMW 1 Series 2004-up, 3 Series 2003-up, 5 Series 2000-up, 6 Series 2007-up, 7 Series 2008-2010, X1, X3 2006-2010, X5 2006-2009 and Z4 2006-up; Audi A4 Cabriolet, A6, A8 2002-2010, Allroad, Q7 2005-2009 and S4/RS4 2004-2009 with the 09L six-speed; Jaguar S-Type 2003-2005, XF 2007-2010 and XJ 2003-2009; the 2005-up VW Phaeton; and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 RWD. Those chassis were also built with other transmissions, including second-generation 6HP units that use different solenoids, so read the model off the transmission tag before ordering. If it says 6HP21, 6HP28 or 6HP34, this is the wrong kit. Send us your year and VIN if you want us to check. The ZF 6HP collection lists the Gen 2 sets and other valve body parts.
Because these are remanufactured pieces, inspect each one for cracked connector caps or damaged O-rings when you unpack the set, before the valve body is half reassembled.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It is the ZF reference used for this first-generation 6HP solenoid set. Match it against the number on your old solenoids or kit if you have it, and confirm the transmission tag reads 6HP19, 6HP26, 6HP26X or 6HP32.
It often does when solenoid wear is the cause, but cold delay can also come from low fluid, a worn pump or a worn solenoid pressure regulator valve. Check fluid level first and test the solenoids before buying.
No reprogramming is needed, but you should clear codes and reset the adaptations with a capable scan tool so the module relearns shift timing for the new solenoids.
Yes, if it is clean and flexible with no cracked insulation or corroded pins. A brittle, heat-damaged harness causes intermittent faults that look like solenoid failure, so replace it if in doubt.
A pan, filter and solenoid job loses most of the fluid in the pan plus whatever drains from the valve body. Have enough ZF LifeguardFluid 6 spec fluid on hand to fill until it runs out of the fill plug at check temperature.
