Hello, I have a 2011 Ford Galaxy with a Powershift automatic gearbox, where I receive the message "transmission limited function." The car won't go in reverse, and I'm missing gears 1, 3, and 5 while moving forward. What could be wrong, and how can I resolve this?

Hi Andreas, 

While I've fortunately not experienced this myself, this does seem to be a not unusual issue that can come up with the Powershift transmission. On my vehicle there is a recommended transmission fluid and filter change every three years (or c. 35k miles) which from my own reading I have found to be strongly advised if you want to avoid issues with the transmission.

I actually posted a few days ago with a few queries about the merits or otherwise of starting servicing on a Powershift that hasn't previously had it undertaken and some of the thoughts from the group were that you could potentially bring things back into line by starting that now even if it hasn't had in the past. It's not a cheap job as I believe the specific fluid is relatively expensive (I think I was c. £380 for the transmission service at a Ford dealer when we first got ours) but could be worth trying that. @alanfp gave some really useful comments on his experience dealing with similar issues in the thread linked below that might be worth reviewing. It sounded like a fluid and filter change helped with his similar symptom for a period.

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/151253-powershift-gearbox-servicing/

All the best with getting things back up and running!

 

Sandy

3 hours ago, macaulays said:

Hi Andreas, 

While I've fortunately not experienced this myself, this does seem to be a not unusual issue that can come up with the Powershift transmission. On my vehicle there is a recommended transmission fluid and filter change every three years (or c. 35k miles) which from my own reading I have found to be strongly advised if you want to avoid issues with the transmission.

I actually posted a few days ago with a few queries about the merits or otherwise of starting servicing on a Powershift that hasn't previously had it undertaken and some of the thoughts from the group were that you could potentially bring things back into line by starting that now even if it hasn't had in the past. It's not a cheap job as I believe the specific fluid is relatively expensive (I think I was c. £380 for the transmission service at a Ford dealer when we first got ours) but could be worth trying that. @alanfp gave some really useful comments on his experience dealing with similar issues in the thread linked below that might be worth reviewing. It sounded like a fluid and filter change helped with his similar symptom for a period.

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/151253-powershift-gearbox-servicing/

All the best with getting things back up and running!

 

Sandy

Thank you very much for your response; I really appreciate it 🙂 

On 2/20/2024 at 8:55 PM, Andreas B said:

Thank you very much for your response; I really appreciate it 🙂 

Hi mate , am experiencing the same problem you had with your ford galaxy power shift . The gear changes from 1 , 3 and 5. Please after trying what was recommended, have the problem been solved? How were you able to solve your problem?

I agree it would help if members came back and reported how the suggestions had helped, or not (very common issue on forums?).
I would say the oil & filter change is critical and have always done it on schedule.
A bit like diesel fuel issues, if that happens, change the filter as it is the cheapest option.
For the otherwise very expensive issue of taking the gearbox apart, changing the oil and filter is much cheaper and if you can do it yourself (apparently loads of advice on here, noticed in another thread) using "sensible" priced kit such as:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112436788478 

It is the first thing to do otherwise it will otherwise be another order of magnitude of cost?
Again, whatever route you go, do come back and let the group know please!

Guys,

I also posted this in the S-Max forum, as there are many issues surrounding this gearbox, it's on Kugas, Mondeos, Galaxys, S-Maxes and various types of other brand cars.
This is the most common failure that happens to the Getrag MP6DCT450 gearbox, there are plastic retainers and metal springs in the torque convertor. These plastic bits are by no means fit for purpose and one day will fall apart and get chewed up by the gears. The bits and debris will then get into the mechatronic and valve body and start contaminating the very delicate parts in there, blocking valves, solenoids and can also lead to damage to your clutch plates. 

The only real remedy is taking the valvebody and mechatronic apart, clean them really really thoroughly, replace the internal oil filter, retainer clips, check all the solenoids and valves for micro scratches and then place everything back together. 

Should you be interested, I am in an FB group specifically for the purpose of helping people out with this mess...