DCT / PowerShift Transmission Update TSB Thread

[jdetzel]

Originally Posted by PratoN

I paid $1,315 for a 6 year/125k mile PremiumCARE ESP ($50 deductible with 1st day rental). From the looks of it, I'll probably get my moneys-worth.

Wow! I think now I would have to pay $1200 and all it will do is extend the factory warranty for another 3/36.

[Moodabear]

Originally Posted by gkirk

I wanted to add my latest to this:

I have a DCT that functions fine except for the grind-while-shifting noise from 1->2. This past week, I got in touch with the ford customer service person on the forums, Crystal and she got me in touch with Brian who is the DC-area ford customer service person.

He set up a drive around with a Tech at Apple Ford here. Everyone was pleasant and professional. The tech said the noise was 'normal' for the transmission which wasn't really what I wanted to hear. The DCT/ABS was not up to date, so they flashed that.

The result of the flash was that the car seemed about the same. But they warned the grinding noise wouldn't be effected and it wasn't.

In the end, Brian/Ford gave me an extended powertrain warranty for 6years/100,000miles, which is nice because I'm putting about 20k miles on per year and I was worried about getting off warranty.

Your mileage may vary, but for me, contacting the Ford folks here was a good move. It simplified dealing with my dealer - not that they wouldn't have given me a tech to drive around with, but I didn't have to deal with it. And in the end I got a warranty extension that was worth some $ and peace of mind.

gk

How does one go about getting this extended Warranty??? How much did you have to pay???

[jdetzel]

Originally Posted by Moodabear

How does one go about getting this extended Warranty??? How much did you have to pay???

You can look here
http://owner.ford.com/servlet/Conten...r/Page/ESPPage

[jdetzel]

Originally Posted by gkirk

I wanted to add my latest to this:

I have a DCT that functions fine except for the grind-while-shifting noise from 1->2. This past week, I got in touch with the ford customer service person on the forums, Crystal and she got me in touch with Brian who is the DC-area ford customer service person.

He set up a drive around with a Tech at Apple Ford here. Everyone was pleasant and professional. The tech said the noise was 'normal' for the transmission which wasn't really what I wanted to hear. The DCT/ABS was not up to date, so they flashed that.

The result of the flash was that the car seemed about the same. But they warned the grinding noise wouldn't be effected and it wasn't.

In the end, Brian/Ford gave me an extended powertrain warranty for 6years/100,000miles, which is nice because I'm putting about 20k miles on per year and I was worried about getting off warranty.

Your mileage may vary, but for me, contacting the Ford folks here was a good move. It simplified dealing with my dealer - not that they wouldn't have given me a tech to drive around with, but I didn't have to deal with it. And in the end I got a warranty extension that was worth some $ and peace of mind.

gk

Did they explain what the grinding was and why one should consider grinding noise from a transmission normal?

[.Leda]

Originally Posted by .Leda

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.

I had both of the issues fixed yesterday however the 12B37 fix did not seem to correct the problem I am having with the shudder almost-stalling when starting from a stop. Overall the car seems to be shifting gears quieter and smoother but the problem is still there from going from 1st to 2nd, and it did not do this until earlier in the week. [I've had the car 2 months and bought it used]

I am still concerned about this and I can't even beat anyone off the line anymore [just kidding, I didn't do that a lot but when I did it was great!]

I sent PM to the kind Crystal from Ford so hopefully that will help.

[RFrench6646]

I stay up with these posts, as I am leary of the longevity of the DCT. Mine started out with the shudder, got better, then started shuddering (a little) again. Other than that, no issues. I can manually outshift, and beat a '94 Mustang GT. And still get 36MPG's. The Sony stereo is awesome, and I still love this car, but, and this is important, I am praying that Ford gets a grip on these complaints, figures out what's wrong, & right, and can make these rides into what they should be. I traded a Honda to get one of these. I had rented a Focus for a week before I decided to buy. I found the rental to be Far Superior to the Honda in Ride, Fit, and comfort. Now that I bought, I still am happy with all of the above, but am apprehensive on the longevity of it. Listen up Ford, this is a car we are wanting, we just need to know we can count on it!

[sirhawkeye]

The DCT issues are what prompted me to get an extended powertrain warranty. Yes, it may be a waste in the end (if i don't need/use it), but it could save my butt if I do (it only cost me about $600--and a new transmission alone would be more than that, even a rebuilt trans). But I only plan to keep the car for about 6 years or 100k, whichever one comes first.

But as I had posted in another area, I'm starting to think that some of the issues people experience may be related to their driving habits. The DCT does operate differently than a standard automatic, and thus you don't get the same smooth shifting every time. If you drive aggressively, the DCT will shift quicker, but probably not as smoothly. At least, that's what I have found from doing little experiments on my own after the last reprogramming of the PCM. But, there still is room for improvement by Ford as well. I just also read a MotorTrend review on the Dodge Dart which also has a DCT and they had noted that it was quite smooth in operation--smoother than the Focus, in their review. So it makes me wonder what Dodge did that Ford did. Sometimes, being the first one out the door with new technology (or newer technology since VW uses DCTs and DSGs), isn't always the best.

[sirhawkeye]

Originally Posted by RFrench6646

I stay up with these posts, as I am leary of the longevity of the DCT. Mine started out with the shudder, got better, then started shuddering (a little) again. Other than that, no issues. I can manually outshift, and beat a '94 Mustang GT. And still get 36MPG's. The Sony stereo is awesome, and I still love this car, but, and this is important, I am praying that Ford gets a grip on these complaints, figures out what's wrong, & right, and can make these rides into what they should be. I traded a Honda to get one of these. I had rented a Focus for a week before I decided to buy. I found the rental to be Far Superior to the Honda in Ride, Fit, and comfort. Now that I bought, I still am happy with all of the above, but am apprehensive on the longevity of it. Listen up Ford, this is a car we are wanting, we just need to know we can count on it!

If you're really concerned about the trans, ask your dealer to check it over (again, if needed). If you're not satisfied there, get in contact with FordCustomerService. They can at least get your concern addressed. As for mine, they said they found nothing wrong. People do also need to remember that these transmission do adjust themselves to people's driving habits. I didn't really think much about this until recently when I tried to change my driving habits, and I noticed that some of my issues with the DCT seemed to fade away. Not lying. I used to drive somewhat aggressively (quick stops, or not stopping completely at stop signs--the rolling stop), and that caused the car to shift erratically. But I found when I do come to a complete stop, wait a second, and then go, the car seems to do better at accelerating and upshifting from a stop. Still not 100% smooth as I'd like, but way better than it was before with the way I was driving before.

Before, the car would shake violently during acceleration (sort of a hopping feeling in the car), but now I sort of let the clutches "catch up" by waiting an extra second or so at a stop sign or light. The car does still shutter a little on start-up fro ma dead stop, but this I can live with (it's not ideal to me, but manageable). Just not the hopping/violent vibrations.

[sirhawkeye]

Originally Posted by .Leda

I had both of the issues fixed yesterday however the 12B37 fix did not seem to correct the problem I am having with the shudder almost-stalling when starting from a stop. Overall the car seems to be shifting gears quieter and smoother but the problem is still there from going from 1st to 2nd, and it did not do this until earlier in the week. [I've had the car 2 months and bought it used]

I am still concerned about this and I can't even beat anyone off the line anymore [just kidding, I didn't do that a lot but when I did it was great!]

I sent PM to the kind Crystal from Ford so hopefully that will help.

At stop signs/lights, do you come to a complete stop? When you accelerate, do you mash on the gas, or do you do a slower acceleration? I found with mine (As mentioned in another reply) that they do shutter on startup even after the fixes, but I got my car to pretty much stop the stalling/vibration you're describing by adjusting how I accelerate.

[dsuaves]

i had mine serviced they replaced the clutches and seals and now when i place the car in drive it wont even move car has been in the shop almost 3 weeks now