Hi all, 

I'm really hoping someone can help me as I'm fed up with this car! 

I bought it 2 years ago, it's on about 55k miles. 

Last year the gearbox went, so it was rebuilt along with a new clutch and mechatronic unit. £4500 in total. 

In August/September (after 10 months and 4000 miles) it had a knocking issue, a local garage did diagnostics (£100) and came up with:

P170F0 clutch pressure control solenoid valve malfunction. 

I got in touch with the company that did the gearbox and they eventually agreed to collect it (£400 collection and delivery despite being within warranty). 

They said the error code had gone and didn't return, but after some back and forth they had a proper look and decided the engine mount was at fault so this was replaced. They also rebuilt the mechatronic unit just in case. They were very reluctant to strip down the gearbox due to labour costs. 

About a week later (having covered no more than 20 miles) I got the error message Transmission Limited Function which prevented it going in to gear. After stopping it worked for a couple of miles before doing the same thing. 

I've googled it and tried the following:

Battery checked: it's showing low/medium but the alternator is fine. 

Obd scanner (motorpower mp69033) : no error codes, but showed Monitors N/A 6, Monitors OK 5

I've read that I need to check the earth points but I don't know where they are or what I'm looking for! 

I simply can't afford to spend more money on it but I also can't afford to just leave it! Any advice is hugely appreciated! 

18 minutes ago, Nedski said:

Obd scanner (motorpower mp69033) : no error codes

Unsurprising 🙄

Try using FORScan and get the Ford specific DTC's.

On 4/7/2024 at 8:59 PM, unofix said:

FORScan (for use with Windows Laptop) : https://forscan.org/download.html

It's what many Ford owners use including some Ford technicians.

vLinker FS, cable for laptop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-vLinker-Adapter-FORScan-MS-CAN/dp/B0952P4MLP

vLinker FD, for android phone: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Bluetooth-vLinker-Scanner-Diagnostic/dp/B08H82WC8L

vLinker FD+, for iPhone: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Bluetooth-vLinker-Scanner-Diagnostic/dp/B08H8JHWP2

 

Search Tag:   FORScan123

 

If the gearbox repair is still in warranty then it's up to supplier to fix? Need to inform them in writing that you are expecting this and keep diary/evidence in case a Small Claim is the final route?

I would, as said above, QUICKLY try to get Forscan codes which may help (although, again, supplier should do that?

Then there's CA consumer specialists, search Citizens Advice.

There is a page in Consumer about car problems but you can phone or online chat with a specialist adviser.

I have the almost exact same problem! Mine is just slipping when under medium acceleration. 
 

gearbox clutch and mec unit was done 6 months ago. Only done 600 miles since 

I am getting really worried about the quality of both of these gearbox rebuilds!

There should IMHO be a long warranty that needs to be applied?

I'm not surprised at all.  Anyone can call themselves a 'rebuilder' or a 'specialist' without any need to qualify that title. 

Never really know what the quality of an engine or gearbox rebuild is like as you can't see inside them.

On 12/11/2024 at 5:56 PM, unofix said:

Unsurprising 🙄

Try using FORScan and get the Ford specific DTC's.

 

I got the cable and forscan (thanks for the advice there!) and these were the only codes it threw up:

I'm guessing they aren't related?! 

I then moved the car which caused the Limited Transmission message to pop up again, parked up, plugged in and the same errors came up. 

I'm taking the battery to get checked tomorrow and I'm assuming I'll be told it's had it, so hopefully a new battery will fix it! 

Yes probably a new battery. Fully charge it before fitting and reset the BMS after fitting it.

Check that your front left (passenger side) sidelight (also called parking light) is working correctly.

12 hours ago, unofix said:

Yes probably a new battery. Fully charge it before fitting and reset the BMS after fitting it.

Check that your front left (passenger side) sidelight (also called parking light) is working correctly.

Apparently the battery is fine, but needs a good charge. I've bought a charger so that's now ticking away in the corner. 

Do I still need to reset the BMS?

1 minute ago, Nedski said:

I still need to reset the BMS?

No. 

Have you connected the negative lead of the charger to the chassis earth point, and not to the battery? 

42 minutes ago, unofix said:

No. 

Have you connected the negative lead of the charger to the chassis earth point, and not to the battery? 

I removed the battery from the car as I can't drive it.

22 minutes ago, Nedski said:

I removed the battery from the car as I can't drive it.

Ok, in which case reset the BMS when you refit the battery.

I may be a bit thick but I can't understand why there is:
a) An obvious fault with the gearbox,

b) A clear general alert (Limited Transmission Function")

c) There are no detailed codes to reflect that

d) You state that the alert was there when you read the codes - without switching off and on again???

Is anyone else concerned about this mismatch needing an answer, alongside the other relevant issue which is battery performance?

Could it be that the electrical issue (earthing leads and all connections between transmission and PCM ) are producing the fault and should all of that be checked first being easier than dismantling the gearbox yet again, at great cost?
There's still the warranty issue?
Side issue: I am always dubious about battery "tests" that are done with no details but I won't go into my understanding of the multiple ways they fail except to say that most fail on capacity (reduces in cold weather - suppliers must stock up for the winter cold snaps!) which is difficult to measure (your experience may differ!)

2 hours ago, Shearers said:

Could it be that the electrical issue (earthing leads and all connections between transmission and PCM ) are producing the fault and should all of that be checked first being easier than dismantling the gearbox yet again, at great cost?

Thanks for the response, what exactly should I be checking? I grabbed this photo after I removed the battery:

Is this a job for an auto electrician? 

24 minutes ago, Nedski said:

what exactly should I be checking?

Those battery leads and chassis earth point look just fine.

Charge the battery for at least 12 hours, reset the BMS and give it a try.

Whilst the photo does appear to look good, to be certain (and as it's an easy job) I'd remove, clean and Vaseline on the 4 earth points on the chassis rail and the end that goes onto the gearbox. And perhaps even test the earth lead by removing the plastic sheath as I had a dodgy connection at the RH battery connection on your photo.

This should rule that area out.

To go further, you need to check continuity and ability to supply power from gearbox plug to PCM under passenger side wing. This is a bigger job and would need wiring diagram, ideally.

This isn't the same problem but it gives my feel for a possible problem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikDCVb93mk0

All your choice as I can only say what I would do and long distance diagnosis is difficult?

Despite its antipodean origin, this may be useful viewing:

 

However he does get the checking of the level wrong - the plug on the side is definitely NOT a level plug (as we all know of course!)

On 12/18/2024 at 6:29 PM, unofix said:

Those battery leads and chassis earth point look just fine.

Charge the battery for at least 12 hours, reset the BMS and give it a try.

I've been pretending the car doesnt exist for a while but now back at it. 

I'm trying to resent the BMS but I'm not getting the option on forscan? There's nothing under the service functions relating to the battery 😭

Firstly we are assuming that your car is fitted with a BMS sensor on the negative battery lead. Post a few photos of the battery negative lead and the battery negative terminal so we can see for sure that it is fitted.

Secondly, there is no need to use FORScan to reset the BMS, it can be done using one of the two methods shown below. It will be obvious which method is the correct one for your car by looking at the type of switches fitted for the lights.

It will be either method 1 or method 2. Follow the instructions exactly and be patient when waiting at the end for the battery light to flash. It can take up to 10 seconds before you see it flash 3 times.

On 3/29/2023 at 8:13 PM, unofix said:

How to reset the BMS method 1                                                                         Search Tag: BMS1

 

 

On 3/29/2023 at 8:14 PM, unofix said:

How to reset the BMS method 2                                                                         Search Tag: BMS2

 

 

21 hours ago, unofix said:

Firstly we are assuming that your car is fitted with a BMS sensor on the negative battery lead. Post a few photos of the battery negative lead and the battery negative terminal so we can see for sure that it is fitted.

Secondly, there is no need to use FORScan to reset the BMS, it can be done using one of the two methods shown below. It will be obvious which method is the correct one for your car by looking at the type of switches fitted for the lights.

It will be either method 1 or method 2. Follow the instructions exactly and be patient when waiting at the end for the battery light to flash. It can take up to 10 seconds before you see it flash 3 times.

 

Thanks for this, the fog/hazard combo worked. 

I took the car out for a short drive, and while I'm not getting too excited I've not had any messages on the dash (the transmission error flagged up during a three point turn prior to this!). 

Touch wood this was all due to a low battery. Thanks for all the help on this thread! 

Anyone wanna buy an S Max?! 

I've driven out to the shops to test it on a longer run, and transmission limited function is back ffs. Not sure what to do next. I'm so disappointed, I really hoped it was simply the battery. 

Now I've gotta either drive it home in 1st gear or get recovered, but my recovery company will charge me as its the same problem as before. Happy new year to me! 

My best shot... I wonder if you have done anything else other than charge the battery as it may have helped a bit (or not) but does not appear to be the underlying issue?
My inquisitive post of 18 Dec does ask if Earth leads and wiring (powers grounds etc) at gearbox and PCM have been checked as it's a damn site easier and cheaper than considering taking the gearbox out without any real justification, despite having to remove arch liner and check wiring (again, wiring diagrams would really help - may need someone with access to them/)
Does Forscan actually find the PCM and mention the TCM in the module and other lists when the fault is present and no codes present, immediately after fault appears and without switching off? 

And, my previous post of Dec 18 still applies (major fault ...)

There are multiple TCM codes that can be read ( fault on, fault off) and compared 

Under what conditions does box operate correctly, fail and then when does the fault go away: time, temperature, key off, key on, moisture.

When working, does it work normally (i.e. all gears available so nothing major mechanically???)

Check You Tube: Skoda Yoda for his Galaxy video (had no gears at all, new transmission recommended... A wiring fault was causing it!!!!)

I'm resting my case until much more info is gleaned (and without that, will have to give up)