Auto gearbox delayed change high rpm on tickover please help

[Whit3knight]

Morning,

My disabled friends cmax is playing up and I’m trying to help sort it out.

it’s a 2011 cmax 2.0tdci automatic 

The symptoms are, it’s holding onto gears during normal driving, this sometimes takes a few miles to happen and if you stop and apply handbrake it revs at 1500rpm at tickover, if you apply the brake this settles to the normal 850rpm. After seeing the drop in revs I decided for the minimal cost of £8 to replace the brake pedal switch this had no effect, but driving without it connect the car drives flawlessly. If you plug it back in regardless if the switch is in place or not it goes back to over revving and high rpm.

 

upon doing some digging (I’m no expert) the wires/switch control cruise, and one goes to a module for the gearbox. Has anyone had this fault and what was the problem? Does anyone have an input to what the problem could be? The car a few months back was fixed by a Ford accredited garage and the service was at best terrible, and after spending a small fortune he’s obviously less than enthusiastic taking it back there! 
 

we live in Rotherham, South Yorkshire so if anyone could recommend a specialist that would be appreciated too!

i don’t want to throw the parts cannon at it but seen as it drives spot on without the electrical element plug, plugged in it’s got to be something fairly simple and not the expensive gearbox issue……..

thanks in advance,

 

Ade

[unofix]

When did the gearbox last have a full service with complete oil change and filter replaced? This is not part of any regular service the car may have had and usually cost around £300

[Whit3knight]

19 hours ago, unofix said:

When did the gearbox last have a full service with complete oil change and filter replaced? This is not part of any regular service the car may have had and usually cost around £300

It hasn’t as I believe it’s a sealed for life unit (now life usually means 100k) and I personally believe it’s not a bad idea servicing them before the manufacturer recommends and the owner of the car is going to get it done, I personally don’t think it’s gearbox related as when the brake pedal switch is disconnected it drives flawlessly and presents none of the faults.

[unofix]

Have a search around this forum and you'll find that the same gearbox in America gets serviced approximately at 37000 miles. They are not actually sealed for life it's just Ford didn't bother to fit a drain plug 🤣

[Whit3knight]

That’s crazy obviously sealed for life is just jargon these days……… Any thoughts on why it only holds on to revs, and revs high on tickover ? And this stops when the brake switch is disconnected? Brake switch has been replaced 

[alanfp]

To clarify, if it's a powershift (which is dual clutch, like VW's DSG) which I THINK it is from the year you state, it was never designed (nor quoted by Ford) to be 'sealed for life'. It should indeed be serviced every 3yrs/37500 miles.  A service can only make things better and should probably be done anyway even if you sort out the problem that seems to be stemming from the brake pedal switch.

However, the brake pedal switch issue does seem to point to it being something to do with an electrical input/check. The control of the gearbox is complicated (well it is to me anyway!).

[Whit3knight]

On 5/26/2023 at 12:22 PM, alanfp said:

To clarify, if it's a powershift (which is dual clutch, like VW's DSG) which I THINK it is from the year you state, it was never designed (nor quoted by Ford) to be 'sealed for life'. It should indeed be serviced every 3yrs/37500 miles.  A service can only make things better and should probably be done anyway even if you sort out the problem that seems to be stemming from the brake pedal switch.

However, the brake pedal switch issue does seem to point to it being something to do with an electrical input/check. The control of the gearbox is complicated (well it is to me anyway!).

Completely agree with servicing gearboxes regardless of dealer intervals (same as engine oils etc) yes it does point to the switch/wiring would be handy if could source an accurate drawing/schematics etc