Ford S Max Auto Gearbox Delay

[chief_67]

Hi guys, I have a 2012 Ford S Max with an automatic gearbox. I having a minor issue that I hope you can help me with.

When I'm slowing right down at a junction to take a left or right, I notice that when I have taken the turning and I put my foot on the acceleration there is no response for a few seconds then it picks speed up again. It seems like the auto gearbox is dropping a gear but the gearbox is not acting quick enough.

I was going to service the gearbox so I rang ford to get oil and the filter, they told me as mine is a non powershift gearbox it doesn't need servicing it just the powershift that do. The option to change the gearbox oil is still there but ford told me that my gearbox doesn't have a filter. I'm a bit confused can someone help please.

 

Thanks in advance.

[chief_67]

Can anyone help with my issue please.

[Dave May]

Hi Sheraz

Your problem seems to relate to the problem POWERSHIFT dual clutch transmission  gearbox ( DCT ) but you say the dealers think it’s NOT a DCT. 
My friend  “TrevorB” is an expert on all gearboxes and can let you know what transmission is in your car, try sending him a message. Sorry I cannot help with your fault as I run a Mondeo TDCI with normal Torque Converter gearbox with 200,000 miles on it and had no problems at all and never changed the gearbox oil.

Hope you get a cheap fix for your S max

Best Regards

Dave

 

[chief_67]

It's 100% percent not powershift, what was confirmed from Ford 2 weeks ago when I rang them. They said as mine is not powershift it does not need servicing.

I'll get in touch with TrevorB.

Thanks

 

[TrevorB]

Thanks a bunch Dave, ha ha

I am in PMs with Sheraz. First thing will be to have reg or vin and determine 100% certain what trans ETIS says it has.

In any event a diagnosis on what is causing the problem is virtually impossible. 

[DaveT70]

You don't give us full spec of car, so we don't know.

You need to find out what gearbox you have fitted and then research on youtube (etc)

How to change the fluid (where the drain plug is, where the level checker is), whether you can change the filter or not, what is the correct tranny fluid you need to buy and how much you need.

If you're not sure how much you need, buy 5 litres to be safe and measure out how much was drained out and put that amount back in.

You can register on Ford Etis and that will tell you what gearbox is fitted (though bugger all else unless you pay)

If the fluid is very dark and you can't change the filter, I would suggest changing it again after a further 1000 miles

[TrevorB]

DaveT70 - it was all sorted yesterday via PMs but I have not had time to update this thread.

Yes, now I have the reg it confirms on ETIS it is NOT powershift as it is a 2.2 Diesel. Auto diesel were powershift except for the 2.2 diesel (Same applies to Mk4.5 Mondeo 2010 to 2014)

The 2.2 diesel is a 6 speed manufactured by Aisin Warner model AWF21. It is a normal torque converter type trans. A good transmission. No oil change or servicing is required as per Ford, and, in any event, Sheraz's veh is not high mileage.

I don't have any experience/knowledge with the Aisin Warner trans other than they are a decent transmission. The fault sounds really odd, it may even be nothing to do with the trans. The only thing I can suggest is possibly finding a local auto specialist within your area who could offer an opinion as to what is wrong. I am way down in the Midlands so I can't even offer to do a road test for you.

Best of luck, Trevor B 

[DaveT70]

Hi,

It's very common for them to say "sealed for life" and no oil change required.

If you go onto Yank sites, they all recommend changing tranny fluid every 30,000 miles or so.

I would strongly recommend changing the fluid, you probably won't be able to change the filter, but definitely change the fluid

Take a look here 

 

[TrevorB]

Of course we all know the yanks know best!!!!!!

Such a poor unprofessional video. There is no proven tech info that says an oil change is needed at 30K on this transmission or that you will experience a different feel to it's operation by changing the oil at such low mileage. I can't disagree with changing the fluid at say 60 to 70k but it is quite a pain in the neck. A good quantity of oil remains in the torque converter (early Borg Warner trans have access to drain plugs in their torque converters) and the oil cooler so to do the job anywhere near properly you need to change the fluid 3 times in succession.

The Aisin AWF21 does have an internal filter but to replace it involves an amount of dismantling

[chief_67]

5 hours ago, TrevorB said:

DaveT70 - it was all sorted yesterday via PMs but I have not had time to update this thread.

Yes, now I have the reg it confirms on ETIS it is NOT powershift as it is a 2.2 Diesel. Auto diesel were powershift except for the 2.2 diesel (Same applies to Mk4.5 Mondeo 2010 to 2014)

The 2.2 diesel is a 6 speed manufactured by Aisin Warner model AWF21. It is a normal torque converter type trans. A good transmission. No oil change or servicing is required as per Ford, and, in any event, Sheraz's veh is not high mileage.

I don't have any experience/knowledge with the Aisin Warner trans other than they are a decent transmission. The fault sounds really odd, it may even be nothing to do with the trans. The only thing I can suggest is possibly finding a local auto specialist within your area who could offer an opinion as to what is wrong. I am way down in the Midlands so I can't even offer to do a road test for you.

Best of luck, Trevor B 

Thanks for the info it was much appreciated. It's good to know it not powershift which going by research is the more probmelatic gearbox.

My car is a 2012 S-Max Titanium X sport @DaveT70.

The car is now on 120,000 and have it booked in for the cambelt kit and waterpump change. I will speak to the mechanic and see what he suggests. I will keep this thread updated.

Thanks again guys, it was very much appreciated.

[chief_67]

[TrevorB]

I think that model S Max looks absolutely brilliant, even better in white, spot on

[chief_67]

Thanks

[chief_67]

So just an update, nothing has been changed but the issue has now disappeared.
 

I haven’t changed anything apart from the cambelt but the issue was still there after I had changed. But I do remember giving it a good blast on the motorway so maybe that might have cleared it up. Thanks fo everyone help and info.

[surrey smax]

sorry to bring up an older thread but ...... have same issue and cant diagnose it, no codes....

Hi we have the same problem with a 2.2 smax auto 2012.

This is the torque convertor type box not a powershift.

The car will occasionally not respond when pulling away eg from a roundabout, you get an initial go then seems to drop all power.

Our local Ford specialist changed the gearbox oil and this problem is still there, they said the old oil looked ok no metal etc. There are no fault codes at any time we have scanned it several times with a snap on solus and using the For specialist proper diagnostics - the car shows no faults for transmission.

Does the 2.2 smax 200 bhp have any torque limiter in first gear I know some cars have this to avoid too much wear on the transmission in gear one? The car may have a stage one remap and wonder if this would somehow confuse the gearbox when pulling away in 1st.

Also when hot the gearbox can make a thud or light bang going down from 2nd into 1st eg just as you approach traffic lights - only occasionally.

[unofix]

1 hour ago, surrey smax said:

There are no fault codes at any time we have scanned it several times with a snap on solus and using the For specialist proper diagnostics - the car shows no faults for transmission.

Use the software FORScan on a laptop to read Ford specific DTC's

Generic code readers (even good ones) will not read all of the Ford specific codes.

FORScan: https://forscan.org/download.html

ELM327(modified) cable: https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.com/USB_Modified_with_switch_ELM327/p4541936_17045457.aspx

[surrey smax]

Thanks yes I have Forscan as per above there are no codes stored.