Hi,

Looks like im joining the powershift gearbox issues club, hope membership is free 🙂

Firstly does the sounds right ?

 

 

Gearbox is mainly ok, pull off sometimes a little sticky release, usually as it goes into 2nd again it is sticky release and sometimes into third, generally fine after that changing wise.

also at times it doesnt know what gear to be in so goes up and down.

Is this just the mechatronic need cleaning, or is this going to be more serious ?

Thanks

 

 

 

To me, your noise sounds perhaps acceptable as I think it's internal  play (there must be some) I think ours is similar.
Unless there's a clonk when driving I'd not worry too much about it yet.

The other issues need looking at but via my standard suggestions:

Which car are we talking about, what mileage?
How long have you had the car?
What is the history of oil and filter changes? (max 3 years/30 000 miles)
Change the fluid according to the correct procedure (it's not just top it up until it comes out of the side plug - but you know that 😉😞
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112436788478
I've used that for the last 3 changes. there are others.
Tear the filter apart and check for any debris, it should look like black paste stuck in the element (I've got a picture if you need it)
Check Forscan for any and all TCM codes and PIDs and inspect the live data to see if demanded currents etc, meet actual and signals from the parking/"tiptronic"/gear lever position/shifting mode match what is requested.
Does it behave the same in manual mode?

If an oil and filter change doesn't do it, and you collect the information above you'll need to think carefully about the next (potentially expensive) steps or just leave it to see if it develops.

"Mechatronic cleaning" isn't a known or standard job (to me) and it's the solenoids controlled by the electronics, then the plungers that move the selectors, then the synchronisers (double on some gears) and/or the two clutches (is it just even or odd gears?) that  may be implicated if changes are not quick enough.
I don't quite understand your description which would be helped by operating in manual mode and seeing how fast the box responds to input if that is the issue?

@jynxy Don't be a member of the OPW Club!

 

Edit: and that play, noise is similar to what i found recently so should not be a problem?

Hi,

Sorry back from holiday now, found out its normal sounds because i only had one side jacked up.

What is an OPW club?

I took apart the mechatronic before holiday, its was clean, small amount of filings but that was expected. no sign of plaastic.

However gear changes can be a problem, sometime as smooth as butter, other times can be clunky and hates big hills and downshifting.

Not sure where to go from here, fresh oil was used and nothing in the fillter.

No error codes and car done about 96000 miles

One Post Wonder (you were close! 😉)

What about manual operation to see if box follows instructions and how each gear is affected (as a starting point since you appear to have changed oil and filter)?

And the other tests mentioned?

Fairly similar in manual mode, weirdly either can be smooth as butter or jerky changes. 

How do you do the other checks, i looked at live data and didnt really understand it. or it had the right options.

 

Thanks

The main point is to do everything possible externally before going back inside again.
Whilst I've never had this trouble, if each gear works (i.e. the auto changes when expected and when in manual, it does as commanded and each gear works and hold but it is the actual change that is the problem, to me, that implies clutches which are controlled by solenoids that work on a variable pressure signal from the electronics. If they are partially blocked, damaged or not functioning correctly, that could well cause it?
I didn't like to see "filings" mentioned in your filter status, IMHO it should look like a black paste which I think is the clutch plate elements wearing !!!
The currents from 4 of the solenoids are monitored in the TCM section of Forscan and I would check (non-driver needed to monitor for legal/safety reasons) those current values and relevant parameters i.e. any demanded vs actual values and look for inconsistencies.
If that doesn't show anything, it looks like you may have to wait until a code is thrown (MUST use Forscan, not cheap OBD reader which won't show Ford specific codes)

My current list of Powershift checks (not exhaustive and you've done some) is below:

Which car are we talking about, what mileage?

How long have you had the car?

What is the history of oil and filter changes? (Ford say max 3 years/30 000 miles)

What to consider:

1. Battery: test or change if any doubt or if old (low voltage can cause multiple issues everywhere!!!)

2. Check oil level (should be done yearly at service and not just remove side plug! (See change instructions below remember it's not just fill until oil comes out of side plug  - if you do that, the level will be low therefore causing issues?)
3. Check any Forscan codes to try to understand the extent of any issue.

4. Look at all TCM live data PIDs and test to see it they change correctly when the gearbox is operated (Solenoid currents, Park, Tip+, Tip- etc)

5. Does it behave the same in manual mode?

6. Is it just odd or even gears?

Beyond that:
a) Change oil and filter, (at least every 3 years, 30 000 miles and don't pay silly Ford price) to correct procedures - NOT simply top up until oil comes out of the side plug, see, for example:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112436788478.

Alan does it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CERqRSK2SWM

This is about the only thing you can do that affects internal components and if it hasn’t been done, or you don’t know, it just needs doing! Price about £90)

Inspect filter: tear apart and look for any debris (especially the dreaded plastic spacer bits) It should look like black paste in the element.
Check and clean earth straps (both ends where possible add Vaseline or other suitable substance).
Check operating cable adjustment.
Check integrity of wiring between transmission and PCM (load test: powers, grounds and CAN (ideally use a scope if any communication issues)

SY Diagnostics shows one common issue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikDCVb93mk0
Only with real justification, and as a last resort, try Forscan reset process.
If an oil and filter change doesn't do it, and you collect the information above you'll need to think carefully about the next (potentially very expensive) steps or just leave it to see if it develops.

Everything possible external needs to be done as the alternative of any internal work (cost into the thousands) needing a reliable expert firm who give a long, at least 2 years warranty?
This guy seems to know all about Powershift?:
https://www.youtube.com/@YepThatsIt

 

Thanks for getting back

The filling were not in the filter, this was when i cleaned the mecatronic unit out, was only a small amount on the solenoids, each solenoid had the same resistance.

S-max 2013 96k approx

The gearbox was repaired at a gearbox center nearby, this was from previous owner, when i have spoken to them they were non helpful, review seem ok for them. but not overly confident in there work, especially after removing the meactronic to find some of the screw heads not great, 

Car was alleged serviced from the garage before, later find out they are a cowboy operation, 4 days to do a timing belt, had loads of issues apparently, i did one in 3 hours with no experience. 

1. Battery is new replaced when i got the car by myself so i know its new, about 18months old, holds charge and testing shows a good charge on there.

2. Oil and filter replaced couple of weeks ago, so all ok from that front.

3. No errors on forscan

4. Not sure on this one, would have to figure it out, any guides, docs or anything for this ?

5. Issues fairly much the same, as the issues change its hard to get a consistent result on this.

6. Think its all gears, noticed it a bit more on odd, but that generally can be down to where you are in the gear.

Volt drop was something i had seen before, i was going to take a look when i took out the mecatronic, just never got round to it.

 

For the TCM PIDs just use Forscan, go to the TCM section and add all the parameters to a spreadsheet type page.

Once that's done, regular checks?

The SY Diagnostics channel has some good Forscan tutorials: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XccVNXuIbYQ&list=PLRdvK5l9oCrEmCEMWgLVGsYWBwz069YDM

More on the odd gears, again MAY imply the relevant solenoids for that clutch but it now looks like waiting for it to get worse as all of the garages you have used now seem to be washing their hands and no guarantees?
I'm unsure if I (or anyone else) can advise effectively except to check the external wiring/earth straps just in case they are involved in any way (to avoid still having those problems after further expensive internal work if that becomes necessary, plus an earlier than normal oil and filter change to check for detritus?

I share your pain!