DCT / PowerShift Transmission Update TSB Thread

[.Leda]

Originally Posted by dan50

Go to etis.ford.com. Under the "vehicle" section input your VIN. This should at least tell you if FSA 12b37 is available for your car. This is the software update that did the most good for the most people. Good luck! They are great cars; you just have to get through this quirk.

Thank you. I did and here's what it listed:

12S29 - PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR
12B37 - , AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE

Awesome to know that it is included. I should make an appointment soon to have these issues fixed! I didn't know of that website so thank you so much!!! I love my Focus and want it to last as long as possible. It is the best car I've had yet.

[unfocused1]

Originally Posted by rp3583

The grinding and bucking has all but stopped, there's an occasional misstep but no big deal. I'm at 2400mi and it appears the computer has figured out how to shift, I just hope there was no permanent damage.

That being said, this thing is now a pleasure to drive. It actually feels quite peppy for a little four banger, aside from the occasional extremely late shift, this thing can really get up and go. It pulls nicely on the highway even at high speed, that was a very pleasant surprise. All in all, I'm very pleased with the Focus.

At 7 months and finally reaching 2700 miles, mine still does the blender noise thing between 1->2 and 2->3 but only after the car is warm (it's never made the grindy noise while cold!). Despite the noise, which can be inconsistent while warm as well, the shifting has always been as smooth as freshly poured creamy yogurt... I hate adjectives... anyhow, I too hope there is no damage, and after third gear the car is simply perfect... it is just a noise, and if there's no damage being done then I have no complaints.

Acceleration has always been FUN. For a 4-cylinder it's got the pep of something a bit better... the engine design definitely has to do with that...

All in all, it's overall the best car I've driven...

[unfocused1]

Originally Posted by .Leda

I cannot believe there are 130 pages to look through on this topic. :O wow!

I started having problems this morning with my 2012 Focus shuddering and shaking from take off when stopped at a light or stop sign. I bought my car used a couple of months ago and it has not given me any problems until now. It has over 25k on it. It was also mfd in June/2011 so I am looking into the update as I do not know if my car has had it.

I am waiting on a call back from the dealer. I do not want to start having car problems. I really like this car.

I'd the same issue.

Mine was built 12/2011.

After 500 miles or so, "the noise" began.

Accelerating, even with gas, could be jerky and annoying.

Ever since 12B37 was applied about 1000 miles ago (May 2012) it's been a champ.

Do find etis.ford.com and put in your VIN. You probably do need 12B37 and it's well worth it. The grindy noise issue might or might not go away over time, but it's not loud but every issue I've had was fixed with that firmware release.

[Doctor Drew]

Where on the etis website would it show if the update is available? I input my VIN and under "Outstanding Field Service Actions" there is nothing listed. The car was built 5/23 of this year.

*EDIT* Reading back in the thread it was mentioned that all cars built since March should have the current software.

I only ask because at the end of an 80 mile trip tonight, my car was having a really hard time accelerating from a stop smoothly and grinding pretty bad during the 1-2, 2-3 shifts. I could hear it with the windows up and radio on.

I'm not going to say it's the end of the world just yet though, as this car is very green with now only ~270 miles. Hell, I'm still on the first tank of gas from the dealer. It was just a little disconcerting considering I haven't heard it make this noise before.

[dan50]

Originally Posted by Doctor Drew

Where on the etis website would it show if the update is available? I input my VIN and under "Outstanding Field Service Actions" there is nothing listed. The car was built 5/23 of this year.

*EDIT* Reading back in the thread it was mentioned that all cars built since March should have the current software.

I only ask because at the end of an 80 mile trip tonight, my car was having a really hard time accelerating from a stop smoothly and grinding pretty bad during the 1-2, 2-3 shifts. I could hear it with the windows up and radio on.

I'm not going to say it's the end of the world just yet though, as this car is very green with now only ~270 miles. Hell, I'm still on the first tank of gas from the dealer. It was just a little disconcerting considering I haven't heard it make this noise before.

There is a period of time when the car is "learning" now to adjust to its clutch's unique characteristics. Ford says this adjustment period can take 1,000 miles, or even more if most driving is on the highway. After an 80 mile trip, thngs could be heat-soaked in a way the car hadn't yet experienced, which could explain the behavior.

Don't panic yet: these things are almost alive, seeming to get sick and then healing themselves. The good news is that many cases of grinding seem to be caused by transmission fluid leaking onto the the clutches. While this is not welcome, at least it's something that can be fixed. Also, the grinding you hear is reportedly a clutch, not a gear noise, so you shouldn't have visions of your transmission destroying itself.

[Doctor Drew]

Originally Posted by dan50

Don't panic yet: these things are almost alive, seeming to get sick and then healing themselves. The good news is that many cases of grinding seem to be caused by transmission fluid leaking onto the the clutches. While this is not welcome, at least it's something that can be fixed. Also, the grinding you hear is reportedly a clutch, not a gear noise, so you shouldn't have visions of your transmission destroying itself.

Thanks, yeah I'm not going call 911 yet as the car is so new. I still look forward to driving the thing and it's probably still the nicest car I've ever owned.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by dan50

There is a period of time when the car is "learning" now to adjust to its clutch's unique characteristics. Ford says this adjustment period can take 1,000 miles, or even more if most driving is on the highway. After an 80 mile trip, thngs could be heat-soaked in a way the car hadn't yet experienced, which could explain the behavior.

Don't panic yet: these things are almost alive, seeming to get sick and then healing themselves. The good news is that many cases of grinding seem to be caused by transmission fluid leaking onto the the clutches. While this is not welcome, at least it's something that can be fixed. Also, the grinding you hear is reportedly a clutch, not a gear noise, so you shouldn't have visions of your transmission destroying itself.

Well, I have nearly 35k miles, so I'd hope my transmission has learned all it needs to! (Though, maybe it's better that it does keep learning - night classes, anyone?)

I fear that I have the seal issue, but my dealer is ignoring that possibility. I'm pulling the splash/aero shield from the bottom of my car and checking for the leak myself, because I don't believe my dealership did.

I was just afraid my clutch would break and, in turn, break the transmission/housing or something which could be a very expensive repair.

My roommate borrowed my car for work and said (unprovoked), "It sounds like a manual when you try to change gears without fully engaging the clutch."

[Dysan911]

Originally Posted by PratoN

Well, I have nearly 35k miles, so I'd hope my transmission has learned all it needs to! (Though, maybe it's better that it does keep learning - night classes, anyone?)

I fear that I have the seal issue, but my dealer is ignoring that possibility. I'm pulling the splash/aero shield from the bottom of my car and checking for the leak myself, because I don't believe my dealership did.

I was just afraid my clutch would break and, in turn, break the transmission/housing or something which could be a very expensive repair.

My roommate borrowed my car for work and said (unprovoked), "It sounds like a manual when you try to change gears without fully engaging the clutch."

Thats exactly what I did. I took that splash cover off the bottom one day because I had dropped a small ratchet and had to retrieve it. Thats when I saw the fluid leak and knew my transmission issue had to be more than just bad 12b37 programming.

[smizak]

Originally Posted by PratoN

My roommate borrowed my car for work and said (unprovoked), "It sounds like a manual when you try to change gears without fully engaging the clutch."

precisely

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by smizak

precisely

And then she added "Not that I've ever done that on Mike's Miata........"

ahahaha

EDIT: Ooh! One thing I was wondering - say I ignore the leaking seal issue like my dealer recommends. Won't I be low on transmission fluid at some point? o_O