Renault
Source-verified model
Renault MB1
The 3-speed automatic transmission Renault MB1 was released in the early 1980-s. This transmission was used for many Renault vehicles, such as Renault 5, 9, 11, 19, Clio and Twingo.
Speeds
3
Type
AT
Drive
FWD
Max torque
150
ATF capacity (L)
5,1
ATF change (L)
3,5
ATF type
Dexron III
Other and alternative codes of this transmission
MB1
MB 1
MB-1
verified naming
OEM designation
source name
Common problems & symptoms
Problems and symptoms reported for this transmission, compiled from repair sources. Not a complete list.
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Solenoid valve hydraulic distributor
Malfunction of solenoid-controlled valves triggers emergency mode, disabling normal gear selection.
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Gear fails to engage
Transmission switches to emergency mode when solenoid valves fail, preventing normal gear switching.
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Friction plate burnout
Low ATF level or pressure loss from valve failure causes friction plates to burn out critically.
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Valve body premature failure
Poor quality valve body degrades and fails, causing shifting problems before 100,000 km.
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Selective gear engagement failure
Certain gears become unavailable due to valve body deterioration, reducing drivability.
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Hydraulic pressure loss valve
Valve breakdown causes loss of hydraulic pressure, starving friction elements and leading to burnout.
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ATF leak motor junction
Oil leakage commonly occurs at the junction between the engine and automatic transmission housing.
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Jerks and kicks shifting
Valve body failure produces noticeable jerks and kicks during gear changes across all forward gears.
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About this transmission
Transmission general data
The 3-speed automatic transmission Renault MB1 was released in the early 1980-s. This transmission was used for many Renault vehicles, such as Renault 5, 9, 11, 19, Clio and Twingo.
This transmission has 3 forward gears and 1 reverse gear which are combined in the uniform unit with the drive gear and electronically-controlled differential. The oil pump is activated by the engine shaft via the torque converter and transmits the oil under pressure to the gearbox, where it is used as a lubricant and for controlling actuators.
Technical issues and repair guidelines
The most widespread malfunctions of MB1:
• Gear fails to switch on. Any malfunction of solenoid-controlled valves of the hydraulic distributor switches the automatic transmission into emergency mode.
• Oil leakages. In many cases car owners are bothered by ATF leakages. Usually the oil leaks at the junction of the motor and the automatic transmission.
• Critical breakdowns. Low oil level and the pressure loss caused by the valve breakdown lead to burn-out of friction plates.
• Shifting failure. A poor valve body breaks before reaching 100 thousand kilometers. This problem has the following symptoms: jerks, kicks and failure of some gears.
According to transmission repair specialists the resource of this transmission is equal to 100 - 150 thousand kilometers, but it is very unlikely that this transmission will cover such distance without any repairs.
Vehicle fitment explorer
Confirmed vehicle applications. Every row is drawn from our source-verified fitment database.
| Make | Model | Year | Drive | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault | R19 | 00-01 | 3 SP FWD | L4 1.4L |
Sources & Contribution
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