DCT Complaints Thread

[Timthom62]

Originally Posted by Kaaru

#2 Lack of power comming out of a left or right turn.IE: You get to a green light and you take the 90 degree turn in motion and comming out of the turn, you dont get any power back when you press on hte gaz pedal. Symptoms: You get the same symptoms as #1.

This is one of the few issues that others describe regarding the DCT that I've experienced myself, although I don't think I've experienced it with the same severity as others describe. The car is, however, a bit sluggish coming out of a turn that doesn't involve a complete stop.

Looking at the service manual, in the description and operation for the DCT, it says that one of the inputs the TCM receives to determine shift points is:

Steering angle from the steering wheel rotation sensor via the HS-CAN databus in order to avoid upshifts and downshifts during cornering

It doesn't go into detail about how this input is used, but if I'm interpreting it correctly the implication is that if I enter a 90 degree right turn decelerating (but not stopping) and the transmission has downshifted to, lets say, third gear, by the time I turn it will still be in third gear when I come out of the turn. Regardless of my actual velocity, apparently, until the steering sensor returns to some point that is not considered by the TCM to be 'in a turn'.

Since reading this a few weeks ago, I've been delaying acceleration until I come out of the turn and have not really noticed the sluggishness and abrupt downshifts that I was having before. Of course, that means making different 'go/no go' decisions when turning to avoid getting run over by oncoming traffic.

In summary, I wonder how much of this particular issue is due to design rather than an actual defect with the transmission.

[BetaDnB]

Originally Posted by gambit293

PS: Oh yea, btw, BetaDnB. I got that vibe too. I guess you could have made it more explicit by throwing in a *sigh* or two or maybe an *eye roll*. But anyway, discussion here has been good so far.

I'm sorry. As I already said, that wasn't the intention.

Originally Posted by Timthom62

Looking at the service manual, in the description and operation for the DCT, it says that one of the inputs the TCM receives to determine shift points is:

Steering angle from the steering wheel rotation sensor via the HS-CAN databus in order to avoid upshifts and downshifts during cornering

It doesn't go into detail about how this input is used, but if I'm interpreting it correctly the implication is that if I enter a 90 degree right turn decelerating (but not stopping) and the transmission has downshifted to, lets say, third gear, by the time I turn it will still be in third gear when I come out of the turn. Regardless of my actual velocity, apparently, until the steering sensor returns to some point that is not considered by the TCM to be 'in a turn'.

Since reading this a few weeks ago, I've been delaying acceleration until I come out of the turn and have not really noticed the sluggishness and abrupt downshifts that I was having before. Of course, that means making different 'go/no go' decisions when turning to avoid getting run over by oncoming traffic.

In summary, I wonder how much of this particular issue is due to design rather than an actual defect with the transmission.

It's like they're trying to avoid having the TVC kick in. That's what it sounds like to me at least and that's only an ignorant opinion. Can you get it to kick or does it just not allow the power to get to that point?

[Timthom62]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

It's like they're trying to avoid having the TVC kick in. That's what it sounds like to me at least and that's only an ignorant opinion. Can you get it to kick or does it just not allow the power to get to that point?

The effect is much the same as if I'd taken the turn with a manual transmission and not downshifted, so that coming out of the turn I'd still be in - in my earlier example, third gear - when my actual velocity was more appropriate for second gear. If I lay into the accelerator before the wheel is close to straight, the RPMs rise without an increase in speed and then, as the steering wheel comes back toward centered, the transmission downshifts. If you still have the RPMs up, it can really give a jerk as the lower gear engages.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

It's like they're trying to avoid having the TVC kick in. That's what it sounds like to me at least and that's only an ignorant opinion. Can you get it to kick or does it just not allow the power to get to that point?

I'm not sure if it's kicked in or not, but I have been able to get a squeek of wheel spin while accelerating around a 90 degree bend after coasting down then rolling back into the throttle even with the traction control switched to the default on setting.

[Kaaru]

Originally Posted by jdetzel

Way to go Kaaru! You have BetaDnB approval! I know you will sleep easier tonight.

Thanks mate. I am more looking for solutions and I am trying really hard to find the source of those tranny issues. Saddly my CSM has not returned my last 2 emails and my dealers says that my tranny is just fine and does not want to see my car...He (the dealer) was able to established that diagnostic over the Internet w/o even seeing the car. Great isn'st ?

I'll sleep better when this car will behave like the 29000$ car it's supposed to be.

But thanks for your support :)

Be safe.

[suss6052]

I see what you guys post 12B37 are saying about not being able to shift into 6th before 41 mph, but that only occurred in a 6F35 equipped Fusion with the 3.0L V6 I currently have as a loaner/ rental car while they check on my heated seats. I miss my Focus already. The Fusion sounds mean when thrashed, but its just not the same to me. I don't like this one very much, and the wheel shake and shudder at higher speeds, omfg with 27300 miles on the clock give or take.

You cannot get it to shift into 6th before 41 mph or more and as soon as it drops down 1-2 mph its back into 5th. Just like some people were reporting from the 12B37 programming, although others reported the initial shift points at 35mph pre and post update.

[manueljones]

Originally Posted by suss6052

I see what you guys post 12B37 are saying about not being able to shift into 6th before 41 mph, but that only occurred in a 6F35 equipped Fusion with the 3.0L V6 I currently have as a loaner/ rental car while they check on my heated seats. I miss my Focus already. The Fusion sounds mean when thrashed, but its just not the same to me. I don't like this one very much, and the wheel shake and shudder at higher speeds, omfg with 27300 miles on the clock give or take.

You cannot get it to shift into 6th before 41 mph or more and as soon as it drops down 1-2 mph its back into 5th. Just like some people were reporting from the 12B37 programming, although others reported the initial shift points at 35mph pre and post update.

Had original 12B37 flash done in late May due to letter from Ford FSA. Car started behaving badly around 200 miles after reflash. 6th gear shift point was around 36 mph which I considered too low and was lugging engine. Took car back to dealer in mid July and car was reflashed with later update to 12B37. This time 6th gear shift point is 41mph with light thottle. Closer to 45 with moderate acceleration. I actually believe all shift points were raised from 2-5 mph vs. original flash which suits me just fine as I told the service manager that the car was is too higher gear for ground speed and car was chugging. The last reflash makes the car a lot more pleasant to drive in congested traffic.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by manueljones

Had original 12B37 flash done in late May due to letter from Ford FSA. Car started behaving badly around 200 miles after reflash. 6th gear shift point was around 36 mph which I considered too low and was lugging engine. Took car back to dealer in mid July and car was reflashed with later update to 12B37. This time 6th gear shift point is 41mph with light thottle. Closer to 45 with moderate acceleration. I actually believe all shift points were raised from 2-5 mph vs. original flash which suits me just fine as I told the service manager that the car was is too higher gear for ground speed and car was chugging. The last reflash makes the car a lot more pleasant to drive in congested traffic.

That sounds detrimental to the fuel economy in town when you were only doing 35-40 mph however.

The car was in the correct gear if no additional acceleration was called for at that time as you would get better mileage in town in 6th than in 5th, but ok.

Either way if you are happy with where it sits being a touch less efficient but more responsive then ok.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

FWIW I was able to get into 6th at around 55-60/h and I NEVER had any TSB related work done

[InfinityCubed]

I was waiting until this got a sticky to go for any complaining in here. We all know I have my story in enough threads already.


Unfortunately it doesn't look like DCT problem threads get a sticky at all. Ever.