Hi, recently i bought a 2014 grand cmax. 2.0 tdci auto. After a few days driving it, had the message transmission malfunction, changed the oil and filter on the gearbox, great for a few days, got in it today drove less than a mile and lost drive completly. Is this the box gone or could it just be the tcm needing replacing or even a software update ?

Any help would be great.

Paul

Start by checking the battery voltage. Is it less than 12.32V ?

@DaveT70 will be along soon, he will be able to give you some ideas of what to do.

 

PS. you need to correct your profile, unless you really have a 2011 Ford Model: Clement

Obviously the seller sold it knowing it was as useful as the current Labour Govt.

It's going to be a fortune cookie of a diagnosis

Could be a simple voltage issue

Could be a wiring issue

Could be the TCM

Could be the internals themselves

Without having it fully diagnosed, i.e reading to see what codes are there, you're never going to know.

First port of call would be, if purchased from a trader, reject it back or make him/her/it fix it

Second, get the light switched off and move it on, like the seller did

Get yourself set up on FORScan and read the codes and see what it's saying

AND, assuming Powershift, you say you "changed the oil and filter" but was it done correctly (just asking, honest!) meaning is there enough oil?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CERqRSK2SWM&t=807s

As said seller may be liable:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/buying-or-repairing-a-car/problems-with-a-used-car/

 

4 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

Obviously the seller sold it knowing it was as useful as the current Labour Govt.

It's going to be a fortune cookie of a diagnosis

Could be a simple voltage issue

Could be a wiring issue

Could be the TCM

Could be the internals themselves

Without having it fully diagnosed, i.e reading to see what codes are there, you're never going to know.

First port of call would be, if purchased from a trader, reject it back or make him/her/it fix it

Second, get the light switched off and move it on, like the seller did

Get yourself set up on FORScan and read the codes and see what it's saying

Was purchased from an auctions. When working, car drives great, smooth gear changes etc, message has only appeared once or twice, but today was first time that could get no drive at all. Can get the warning message to dissapear using the relevant buttons on steering wheel.

Calling rac out tomorrow for diagnostics.

Called aa out and they diagnosed problem via diagnostics as the transmission control module. Where would the tcm be located exactly ? Looked online, some say its under battery tray and others say its attatched to gearbox itself. Also any help on where to purchase a replacement would be gratefully appreciated.

I guess it's the main reason it went to auction!

It gets complicated - this is from the over 100 page Getrag Powershift manual "How It Works"

If you want a copy send me you own private e mail address via a PM to myself and I will zap it over to you

The Transmission control module (TCM) is part of the Mechatronic unit (Valve body assembly,
solenoids and TCM) located inside the transmission housing on the front of the transmission.
Two voltage supplies are provided to the TCM as well as a primary ground. It also connected to the
newtwork via CAN BUS. The TCM evaluates input signals from different sensors and control
modules controlling the solenoids based on these signals.
The following components are integral to the TCM:
· Speed sensors
· Temperature sensor
· Pressure sensor
· Position sensors
Speed sensors:
· Engine RPM Sensor - Gives the TCM engine rpm's via the clutch drum housing.
· Speed sensor input shaft Odd gears - Gives the TCM information on input shaft rpm (after
the C1 clutch) for Odd gears, 1, 3, 5, and R.
· Speed sensor input shaft even gears - Gives the TCM information on input shaft rpm (after
the C2 clutch) for even gears, 2, 4, and 6.
Temperature sensors:
· Oil temperature sensor - Located on the TCM which provides information on transmission
oil temperature.
· Temperature sensor control module (Hybrid sensor) - Integrated in the TCM gives
information on the TCM's ambient temperature (also a Temperature sensor redundancy
signal). The TCM uses temperature information to determine correct system pressure, for
controlling clutch, for cold starts, and in position for overheating protection.
Pressure sensor:
· Pressure sensors - Give the TCM information on hydraulic pressure by the clutches. The
TCM supplies the sensors with 5 volts. The sensors register the oil pressure for control of
the clutch pressure so that the TCM can control the solenoids to provide correct clutch
pressure for each clutch.
Position sensors:
· Position sensor gearshift fork - Give the TCM information on the position of the four
gearshift forks that handle shifting in the transmission.
An important component belonging to the control system, but is located in the lever carrier in the
middle console is the Gear Select Module (not to be confused with the internal TRS).
· Gear selector module (GSM) - Gives Transmission control module (TCM) information on
locking of P as well as manual shifting.
· Inside the transmission and part of the TCM is the Transmissions Range Sensor (TRS) that
provides that actual P R N D gear selection.

4 minutes ago, TrevorB said:

It gets complicated - this is from the over 100 page Getrag Powershift manual "How It Works"

If you want a copy send me you own private e mail address via a PM to myself and I will zap it over to you

The Transmission control module (TCM) is part of the Mechatronic unit (Valve body assembly,
solenoids and TCM) located inside the transmission housing on the front of the transmission.
Two voltage supplies are provided to the TCM as well as a primary ground. It also connected to the
newtwork via CAN BUS. The TCM evaluates input signals from different sensors and control
modules controlling the solenoids based on these signals.
The following components are integral to the TCM:
· Speed sensors
· Temperature sensor
· Pressure sensor
· Position sensors
Speed sensors:
· Engine RPM Sensor - Gives the TCM engine rpm's via the clutch drum housing.
· Speed sensor input shaft Odd gears - Gives the TCM information on input shaft rpm (after
the C1 clutch) for Odd gears, 1, 3, 5, and R.
· Speed sensor input shaft even gears - Gives the TCM information on input shaft rpm (after
the C2 clutch) for even gears, 2, 4, and 6.
Temperature sensors:
· Oil temperature sensor - Located on the TCM which provides information on transmission
oil temperature.
· Temperature sensor control module (Hybrid sensor) - Integrated in the TCM gives
information on the TCM's ambient temperature (also a Temperature sensor redundancy
signal). The TCM uses temperature information to determine correct system pressure, for
controlling clutch, for cold starts, and in position for overheating protection.
Pressure sensor:
· Pressure sensors - Give the TCM information on hydraulic pressure by the clutches. The
TCM supplies the sensors with 5 volts. The sensors register the oil pressure for control of
the clutch pressure so that the TCM can control the solenoids to provide correct clutch
pressure for each clutch.
Position sensors:
· Position sensor gearshift fork - Give the TCM information on the position of the four
gearshift forks that handle shifting in the transmission.
An important component belonging to the control system, but is located in the lever carrier in the
middle console is the Gear Select Module (not to be confused with the internal TRS).
· Gear selector module (GSM) - Gives Transmission control module (TCM) information on
locking of P as well as manual shifting.
· Inside the transmission and part of the TCM is the Transmissions Range Sensor (TRS) that
provides that actual P R N D gear selection.

Is this an easy job to do at home ?

It could be flagging a TCM issue but only because you have wire breaking down which are blocking the signals from the TCM to the transmission.

My advice always is, for Powershi*t problems:

Check battery voltage is good, Powershi*ts don't like low voltage

Clean the earth points to the body for the main battery and transmission (these are under the airbox normally)

Check level or change the fluid and filter, if you don't know when it was last changed (even more so if it's diesel)

Perform a transmission reset (video on youtube "reset powershift transmission")

Check for and install software updates for the PCM and the TCM (may need to go to Ford for that, should be no more than 2 hours labour, you don't need to diagnose, just check and install)

Once you've done all that, if it's still playing up

Take to a reputable auto electrician and have ALL the wiring checked for continuity from the transmission to the TCM and the TCM to the PCM. Most Powershi*t issues are caused by broken/breaking down wires blocking the COMMs signals

Once you've done all that, if it's still playing up

Take the vehicle to a reputable auto transmission specialist to have the relevant internal components checked and replaced where necessary, or fit a reconditioned transmission 

Stick to the process, in that order and you won't overspend.

If you fit a new TCM with wiring issues the problem will return

If you fit a new transmission with wiring issues the problem will return 

And so on and so on

Or clear the codes in WBAC's carpark and move it on😎

Paul, I would not say it is an easy job to do at home.

Have a read of this and the other links within it

https://www.talkford.com/threads/powershift-6dct450-issues-after-solenoid-problem.414161/#replies

yAdd/Edit - if it was me I couldn't be doing with all the hassle of trying to repair it and still maybe end up putting another trans in it.

I would get the code cleared an send it back thru an auction site "sold as seen"

A

1 hour ago, TrevorB said:

Paul, I would not say it is an easy job to do at home.

Have a read of this and the other links within it

https://www.talkford.com/threads/powershift-6dct450-issues-after-solenoid-problem.414161/#replies

yAdd/Edit - if it was me I couldn't be doing with all the hassle of trying to repair it and still maybe end up putting another trans in it.

I would get the code cleared an send it back thru an auction site "sold as seen"

After pricing up replacement tcm and comparing with a used transmission, think im going to go with the latter and just source a complete replacement transmission

Let us know the details of that please and hope it goes well!

As the saying goes, 'God loves a trier' 🎉

On 8/29/2025 at 5:22 PM, paul1980 said:

A

After pricing up replacement tcm and comparing with a used transmission, think im going to go with the latter and just source a complete replacement transmission

You haven't read my post then?

 

On 9/1/2025 at 7:10 AM, DaveT70 said:

You haven't read my post then?

 

Sorry for slow reply. Yes i read your post. Battery voltage all fine amd auto electriton found no problems.

If you've proved power and signals to be good then, yes, you need the transmission repairing or changing

Replacement gearbox sourced and fitted. Few niggles, wouldnt rev when in drive or reverse at 1st. Performed a clutch relearn procedure this morning using forscan. Fingers crossed, so far so good