Hi Guys. 

 

I brought a 2009 fiesta 1.4 zetec yesterday and it looked and drove great on the testdrive. But on my way back to London I started noticing some issues. Just wondering if anyone has encountered these issues before and if you happen to know any fixes or roughly how much to fix. 

 

The first issue is the car seems to be limited at 70MPH. And when I say limited I really mean it. It won't go above 70 no matter how much I push it. At 70 the car seems to start shuddering. Has anyone encountered this problem before? 

 

The other issue I've encountered is that I can't seem to build up speed quickly past 30. If I try hit the accelerator the rpms shoot up and the engine starts revving but the speed doesn't go up. I have to gently accelerate each time. 

 

Has anyone encountered these issues before? Please let me know it would be great to get an estimate on the repair costs. 

Someone will know more than myself, but sounds like the 70mph limit is set by the Ford MyKey, I’d imagine the owners manual will advise how to remove the limit.

The revs increasing but the speed not is fairly indicative of a clutch issue. You have the automatic, and someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but it’ll probably be a Powershift automatic which are known to have issues. Just have a search online for Ford Powershift.

I don’t know cost estimates etc. sadly, but there are a lot of knowledgeable people in here who might be able to advise.

Speed limiter just doesn't allow more revs past the set speed.  If it's shuddering then it's broken. 

I agree it sounds like Powershift clutch pack replacement is needed...  Repair costs will be in the hundreds.  Return it and buy something else if that's an option.

Ford MyKey was not available back in 2009 on a Fiesta Zetec.

I'd say it's not limited - it's broken !!

Revs increasing much faster than actually speed points very much to a failing clutch and/or auto gearbox. This is also probably the same reason it won't go more than 70mph. Expect to pay £800 to £1400 for gearbox and clutch repairs.

2 hours ago, unofix said:

Ford MyKey was not available back in 2009 on a Fiesta Zetec

Iirc Ford showcased this in 2009 but I believe the 2010 MY Focus was the first model to get it here (?), though I think it was rolled out pretty quickly after that. (Can't remember which of my cars had it first - never had call to use it.)

I agree with Pete, Tom and yourself - revs going up without speed increase points to failing clutch.

Definitely "return to seller" unless it was knowingly purchased with a fault in need of repair, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

Hi, I presume your transmission is the conventional 4 speed auto Ford 4F27E/Mazda FN4A-EL

Immediately check the transmission fluid level and top up with Ford Mercon V or equivalent fluid.

If the total mileage of the vehicle is over 75000 then have the fluid changed anyway, but I fear you may be too late

On checking level, if the fluid is brown, have the fluid drained and refilled with new fluid.

If this does not solve the problem then you will have to have the transmission reconditioned.

You have to remove the transmission sumps on these to drain fluid as there is no drain plug, take it to a garage that has a suction hose to suck the fluid out

Search for Ford 4F27E check level on youtube to find out where the level check is and how to check it, vehicle must be level and warm

Someone could've put the wrong fluid in also.

If you don't or can't return the vehicle for a refund then get the transmission fluid changed ASAP for the correct type an amount.

This is not a powershift transmission, DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU YOU NEED TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION until you have tried changing the fluid.

After that it is normally just a dirty sticking solenoid that can be removed/cleaned/replaced

48 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

Hi, I presume your transmission is the conventional 4 speed auto Ford 4F27E/Mazda FN4A-EL

Autocar tested the 1.4 Auto back in 2009 - assume the OPs will be the same multi-clutch box mentioned in the article:

 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/ford/fiesta/first-drives/ford-fiesta-1.4i-style -auto

Not according to what I looked up, it's a conventional auto.

But @Sadek please PM me your reg number so we can confirm anf then advise accordingly.

But I believe the robo-manual died with MK6

If it is the robo-manual then it will just need a new clutch

It's definitely not a powershift, they were 1.6 then 1.0 only

it may well be the 4F27E, Dave. It does seem confusing and you can read that test I mentioned either way.

Ford didn't heIp matters in their literature - I have an old brochure from when we bought our last Mk 7 and on different pages the auto is referred to as " 4 speed automatic", "Durashift 4 speed auto" and "Powershift Dual clutch automatic transmission".😀

I recall this box didn't seem to have a lot of admirers at the time and got the impression it was in some ways a bit of a halfway house between a conventional torque converter and a multi clutch box. 

15 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

it may well be the 4F27E, Dave. It does seem confusing and you can read that test I mentioned either way.

Ford didn't heIp matters in their literature - I have an old brochure from when we bought our last Mk 7 and on different pages the auto is referred to as " 4 speed automatic", "Durashift 4 speed auto" and "Powershift Dual clutch automatic transmission".😀

I recall this box didn't seem to have a lot of admirers at the time and got the impression it was in some ways a bit of a halfway house between a conventional torque converter and a multi clutch box. 

Yes, We need to look on ETIS to see what is fitted

Here's a snip from ETIS on same age Fiesta 1.4 Auto.

I'd say 99% it's 4F27E