Mk2 Focus "transmission malfunction" dash message

[Ian Davies40]

Hope someone can help as Ford garage were no help and my usual local garage is struggling to help.

I have a Ford Focus mk2 2006 1.6 zetec automatic 86000 miles with a permanent dashboard error message "transmission malfunction" Code reader has given DTC U1900 CAN BUS Fault and U0101 lost communication with TCM.  I believe the car has the 4F27E four speed automatic transmission.  The car is in permanent limp mode (for the last 2 weeks) which appears to be 3rd gear. It will move out of Park but the car jolts when you move the gear shift to Drive.

Last year this message would come up occasionally when starting the car and then go away.  Then I started getting occasional hard shifts between 3rd and 4th. I have previously sent the Instrument Cluster away for repair and this solved the problem for 12 months, however, I now have a permanent message and the car is in limp mode.  Ford advised me to replace the TCM for £900 plus labour at £118 per hour which is not going to happen on a car this age. They won't give me any other info like the part number or what it looks like or where it is.

The car has been trouble free mechanically for the 11 years I have owned it and I have never had any other issues with dashboard lights or messages.  The car still starts first time and the engine runs nicely (albeit in 3rd gear and at 30mph). It is in great condition for a 15 year old car so I am reluctant to scrap it. Was hoping to run it for another 2 years as it only does 4000 miles a year.

Before I decide to scrap the car I am looking to replace it with a second hand TCM or send the TCM away for repair if I can find someone who will do this.

Am I right in thinking that the TCM is a separate module to the ECU? The ECU is next to the battery but I cannot see where the TCM is.   I believe it may be underneath the battery and is a silver box similar in size to the ECU.  However, I have also been told it may be behind the wheel arch.  

Can anyone confirm where it is. Can anyone point me to any pictures of the TCM.  

If I replace it will it need reprogramming to work in my car?  I know the main ECU would if I replaced it.

Alternatively, am I wasting my time and it is time to scrap it.

Thanks

Ian

[DaveT70]

Hi, if you've had the cluster repaired (and you know it was done properly) then it's time to look at the BCM.

It's also common for the BCM to get damaged from water leaking into it from the heater or a badly fitted windscreen.

The BCM is the fusebox below the glovebox.

Drop it down and disconnect a connector, one at a time, and see if there is any green fur on the pins/contacts.

If there is source a replacement BCM and program to your car using Forscan, you will need to program key remotes again too.

If the BCM is fine, then I would still be tempted to see if the joints on the instrument cluster have gone down again. The repairer may have only repaired the dry joints, not resoldered all the joints and you have new faults.

I'm not sure if your car has a seperate TCM, I doubt it very much. I've searched a similar car on ETIS and you are unable to see modules on Euro 4 cars, sorry.

Disconnect the battery whilst ignition is on/engine off and see if it resets.

I seriously suspect cluster again though.

You can call Ford Technical helpline on 0906 553 3447 they will tell you if you have seperate TCM  BUT BE WARNED CALL COST ABOUT £1.50 PER MINUITE

Hope this helps

Let us know

 

[unofix]

1 hour ago, DaveT70 said:

I seriously suspect cluster again though.

Have to agree !! You need to get it checked out and fully resoldered.

[Ian Davies40]

27 minutes ago, unofix said:

Have to agree !! You need to get it checked out and fully resoldered.

Thanks for a quick response..

I have previously checked the fusebox and wiring behind the glovebox and it was in perfect condition, no sign of damp or corrosion.   I have also sent the IC back recently to the original repairer as it is still under a 2 year warranty and they said there is nothing wrong with it.  After refitting the IC, however, the problem did temporarily improve for a few weeks until the current permanent issue 2 weeks ago.  I suppose I could send it off to a different repairer. 

Ian

[DaveT70]

Hi Ian,

If you've got Forscan, plug in and it will give you all the codes you are getting and it will tell you if you have separate PCM/TCM.

You can perform master resets on the modules as well.

The only other daft issue it could be is, how good is your battery??

Then, after you have checked all that, it's time to start looking at the transmission itself.

What colour is the fluid? Is it still pink/red, if not change it.

If you've never changed the trans fluid, change it anyway 

[DaveT70]

18 hours ago, Ian Davies40 said:

Code reader has given DTC U1900 CAN BUS Fault and U0101 lost communication with TCM. 

Ah, just spotted this, so you have got separate TCM.

You could have a broken wire somewhere, you would need to bell-out the wires from the transmission to the TCM and engine bay harness. Plus, disconnect and silicone spray all the connections to ensure good connectivity.

Check all the earthing points are good too, even consider adding an additional earth from the engine to the body too and see if that helps

To find where the TCM is just follow the loom from the transmission to the module, if it is under the wheelarch you could have water damage and will need to source a second hand TCM.

As long as the replacement TCM is the same part number (The last letter can be higher) it will be plug and play.

[Ian Davies40]

Thanks Dave

Fluid was changed 18 months ago.  This car has a dipstick for the ATF which I check regularly and it looks fine.

I think I will get my garage to do what you have suggested and find the TCM and check the wiring. 

If I have to replace the TCM I really need them to find the TCM anyway to give me the part number off it.  There are numerous items coming up on an eBay search that all look different and most of them appear to be ECUs not TCMs anyway so I'm not buying anything until I'm sure I know it's the right part number.

[DaveT70]

25 minutes ago, Ian Davies40 said:

There are numerous items coming up on an EBay search that all look different and most of them appear to be ECUs not TCMs anyway so I'm not buying anything until I'm sure I know it's the right part number.

Absolutely, but ensure you have done all the other checks I mentioned before you change the TCM as the fault will still be there.

From looking at other PCMs it seems the base part number is 12A650

TCMs seem to be 12B565 with yours being 5M5P 12B565 A*

[Ian Davies40]

Just in case anyone else has this problem.  Don't panic nothing wrong with the transmission as such despite the dramatic warning message on the dash.  It was a broken wire going to the TCM and only cost £120 to fix (2 hours labour at a good garage in Bodmin).  They just had to take out the battery to access the wiring loom and did not take them long to find which wire was at fault. They sprayed all the connectors on the TCM and ECU with contact cleaner.  Car now drives as good as new.

Ian

[DaveT70]

On 9/3/2021 at 2:41 PM, Ian Davies40 said:

Just in case anyone else has this problem.  Don't panic nothing wrong with the transmission as such despite the dramatic warning message on the dash.  It was a broken wire going to the TCM and only cost £120 to fix (2 hours labour at a good garage in Bodmin).  They just had to take out the battery to access the wiring loom and did not take them long to find which wire was at fault. They sprayed all the connectors on the TCM and ECU with contact cleaner.  Car now drives as good as new.

Ian

I'm really glad you got it sorted

[emjhay]

On 9/3/2021 at 9:41 PM, Ian Davies40 said:

Just in case anyone else has this problem.  Don't panic nothing wrong with the transmission as such despite the dramatic warning message on the dash.  It was a broken wire going to the TCM and only cost £120 to fix (2 hours labour at a good garage in Bodmin).  They just had to take out the battery to access the wiring loom and did not take them long to find which wire was at fault. They sprayed all the connectors on the TCM and ECU with contact cleaner.  Car now drives as good as new.

Ian

Had this also, intermittent transmission malfunction on my lcd display, but then go away, it keeps on coming back. I will trace all the wires as you suggested. Thank you for sharing.

[DaveT70]

1 hour ago, emjhay said:

Had this also, intermittent transmission malfunction on my lcd display, but then go away, it keeps on coming back. I will trace all the wires as you suggested. Thank you for sharing.

Ensure cluster solders are good too though, everything runs through the cluster

[Focus_]

In future for any such faults, if you wish to confirm or rule out the cluster, simply whack the top of the dash to see if the message goes away or anything changes. If nothing changes you can probably rule out the cluster if it's already been repaired recently 👍

[emjhay]

Cluster was replace already.the error is intermittent,I suspected that the c11 connector at the passenger panel trim,also replaced but the transmission malfunction error comes up on the led display then goes away after several minutes

[JLDelgado64]

Hi there, I didn't get a code on my Ford Focus / MK2 (Europe) 2010, just the "Engine failure" on the cluster. Engine start to fail when I accelerate. Engine fails with false detonations and lack of power; a couple of times seems that the transmission goes to neutral by itself. Well, I start on the crankcase position sensor, my car has a gasoline/petrol 2.0 liters 4 cylinders engine; sensor locate on the top of the crankcase pulley, you can see the sensor and harness below the water pump. I change the sensor with a Ford part, change the cable and terminal and that’s it. Failure disappears, it has a month running as usual with great acceleration. First, check for the easy sensors, with computers in the car could be any of those sensors. Good look and I hope you enjoy your cars.

[padraigkeane01]

I have the exact same issue on my 2006 ML2 Focus Saloon 1.6L Automatic, Transmission Malfunction message on dash and car is clunky when engaging Drive on gearbox and car is sluggish taking off. Mechanic says gearbox is not going into 1st gear for some reason, hence explaining the sluggishness, otherwise the car is operating and driving fine. So if anyone solved this issue please let me know how.

 

Many thanks in advance.

[DaveT70]

2 hours ago, padraigkeane01 said:

I have the exact same issue on my 2006 ML2 Focus Saloon 1.6L Automatic, Transmission Malfunction message on dash and car is clunky when engaging Drive on gearbox and car is sluggish taking off. Mechanic says gearbox is not going into 1st gear for some reason, hence explaining the sluggishness, otherwise the car is operating and driving fine. So if anyone solved this issue please let me know how.

 

Many thanks in advance.

Someone solved it above, read all the posts