Think I figured out the shuddering when starting from a stop...can't believe it

feta_mgp · Oct 19, 2012

Napalm said:
I can see where it might be possible that there is a control loop setup between the traction control elements monitoring the slippage of the front wheels

and the clutch controls monitoring the RPM's of the gears

to where the TCM (transmission control module) starts to activate the clutches, as the ESP (electronic stability program) starts to notice the wheels moving.

and between the 2 systems they are pulsating for a moment until the wheel speed of all 4 wheels is consistent. Curious - how does your car behave on wet ground?

I've gotten mine to spin one wheel on a hard start, but only one and IIRC it is only the left one. (shortest drive shaft)

I've definitely had some spin when launching from a stop in the rain. Sometimes when turning out of the parking lot at work (there's a weird intersection, no light, one side is curved so it's hard to see cars coming) I'll gun it sometimes to make it through as fast as I can, and I've certainly spun tires or atleast it felt like wheel hop where the car was trying to gain traction.

This car certainly doesn't have the power my last car had, so moderate throttle input leading to wheel hop/spinning tires doesn't sound like it's being caused by the car's power, but probably from the AdvanceTrac/TCS systems intervening.

PratoN · Oct 19, 2012

narkotskyb said:
So after driving with F19 out for couple days this is what I think. I think driving with AdvanceTrac feel like having helicopter mom with second set of car controls. It's crazy. This needs some real fixing - whatever latest programming was done to the system it's sensitivity needs to be SERIOUSLY dialed down. Or at least we need a way to permanently disable both TCS & ESP.

I think I'll try this on the way home from work. Is this one of those fancy fuses that requires me to unscrew it? Or just pull it out?

cwmehring · Oct 19, 2012

Went to Phil Waterford Ford in Manteca, CA today and...

Thanks fors

PratoN · Oct 19, 2012

cwmehring said:
Anyone else have similar encounters?

It appears to be a nation-wide epidemic spreading to Ford dealers. Possibly all car dealerships - I haven't had the pleasure to find that one out just yet.

hand-filer · Oct 19, 2012

hotleadsingerguy said:
I really hope the government cracks down on them for this. I hope a full recall is necessary so Ford loses enough money to realize they can't pull this crap again in the future.

Yes, I actually do hope Ford loses money in this. For some companies, that's the only way to force them to change their ways.

They pulled the same crap on the late model Mustang owners with the Chinese sourced M82 manual transmissions. Lots of problems and band aid solutions that don't work.

Sent from my iPad

twokids · Oct 20, 2012

How do I turn off traction control?

TboneZX3 · Oct 20, 2012

twokids said:
How do I turn off traction control?

It's in your owner's manual. Page 20 of 2012 manual, version 5.

feta_mgp · Oct 20, 2012

It's sad that turning it off is such a chore in this car. My friend just got a 2006 Chevy Malibu and it's just a button. My last car had just a button too. Much better.

ralck · Oct 22, 2012

I'm not sure if this will help any of you guys out with getting service, but the eSourceBook has the following quote at the bottom of page 10:

PowerShift 6-speed Automatic Transmission
The PowerShift automatic transmission has some specific operational characteristics that are different from
a conventional automatic transmission. During the initial break-in period, the transmission may exhibit “quick
shifts” or harsher than normal shifting. The transmission may also lightly “shudder” under light acceleration
or during a coast down to a stoplight. Assure the customer these characteristics are not abnormal during the
clutch break-in period and will certainly diminish once enough mileage accumulates.

I'm not sure if this will help, since it's technically referring to the 2013 MY, but the transmission/clutch pack should more or less be the same? If it applies to 2012's dealerships shouldn't be able to say that's normal after the first 1000-3000 miles? [dunno]

PratoN · Oct 22, 2012

ralck said:
I'm not sure if this will help, since it's technically referring to the 2013 MY, but the transmission/clutch pack should more or less be the same? If it applies to 2012's dealerships shouldn't be able to say that's normal after the first 1000-3000 miles? [dunno]

Dealers keep telling me that my shuddering and slipping are "normal", but I'm at 37k miles and the car didn't exhibit these characteristics from 10k-25k miles. That's why I'm mad that I keep getting turned away.

Adversegecko · Oct 23, 2012

Hey uk mk3 owner here.

I have the shuddering problem too!

I'll keep an eye on your progress

SportyChick · Oct 23, 2012

ralck said:
I'm not sure if this will help any of you guys out with getting service, but the eSourceBook has the following quote at the bottom of page 10:

I'm not sure if this will help, since it's technically referring to the 2013 MY, but the transmission/clutch pack should more or less be the same? If it applies to 2012's dealerships shouldn't be able to say that's normal after the first 1000-3000 miles? [dunno]

So would that 'counter' be reset after TSB12B37 is applied I wonder? My car has 30,000 miles on it but *only* had the TSB12B37 applied about 600 miles ago and it's still shuddering.

My car goes in tomorrow to the dealer for the brake problem and the shuddering.

ricomtl · Oct 23, 2012

I noticed with mine that shuddering is not always consistent in the city, but still enough to bug me. However, I noticed that when I have been driving on the highway for a few minutes, and then hit the city, the shuddering gets really bad for the first few times I will stop & go (stop sign/red light). Anyone else noticed this behavior?

I will certainly try turning Traction Control off tomorrow and test it out for a few days.

Man, I seriously should have read this forum before getting my Focus. 6 months after my purchase and I've been to the dealer more often than any other cars I've owned.

1slofofo · Oct 23, 2012

When I gun it too hard, sometimes it jerks for a while after between shifts. Turning traction control off helps to fix the shifts back to normal. While mine doesn't shudder (TSB 123b7 applied), traction control still helps smooth it out.

nebertcher · Oct 23, 2012

I'm going to try this on my way home tonight.

I have noticed shudders here and there, particularly in stop start traffic. I'd be interested to know if this helps at all.

ricomtl · Oct 30, 2012

I tried it a few times, and Traction Control switched to OFF sligthltly reduces the shuderring, enough to forget about it. The only down side, I have to go through 5-6 menus to turn it off everytime I start the car.

Anyone expects a TSB to address this issue? I mean, how normal is that!?!

chum567 · Oct 30, 2012

when i got mine worked on for the 3rd time last week the guy told me they still dont have anything to completely fix the shuddering. he said they will eventually come out with a big update but then he tells me that there isnt technically anything wrong with the trans its just how it runs

ricomtl · Oct 30, 2012

chum567 said:
when i got mine worked on for the 3rd time last week the guy told me they still dont have anything to completely fix the shuddering. he said they will eventually come out with a big update but then he tells me that there isnt technically anything wrong with the trans its just how it runs

you gotta love the pre-canned response " It works as it should"... Someone drove my car for the first time this weekend and he kept asking me... did you feel that? So it does feel odd to most drivers...

HornedFrog05 · Oct 30, 2012

Hi all,

I also have this shuddering issue between 1st and second gear accelerating from a complete stop. It all arose after the transmission TSB this summer, I have taken it to the dealership and they tell me that it's supposed to operate like that. Not buying it, I will try turning off the TC today.

Anybody else experiencing a weird clunk/rattle from the front-end while travelling over bumps under 20mph? Apparently that's a huge issue with the new Focus' and I've been experiencing it for nearly a year with no fix in sight (struts and springs have already been replaced). Ford keeps saying it's "characteristic to the vehicle" much like this shuddering issue.

Just a frustrated owner looking to vent.

ricomtl · Oct 30, 2012

HornedFrog05 said:
Hi all,

I also have this shuddering issue between 1st and second gear accelerating from a complete stop. It all arose after the transmission TSB this summer, I have taken it to the dealership and they tell me that it's supposed to operate like that. Not buying it, I will try turning off the TC today.

Anybody else experiencing a weird clunk/rattle from the front-end while travelling over bumps under 20mph? Apparently that's a huge issue with the new Focus' and I've been experiencing it for nearly a year with no fix in sight (struts and springs have already been replaced). Ford keeps saying it's "characteristic to the vehicle" much like this shuddering issue.

Just a frustrated owner looking to vent.

The clunking is not normal - I had mine repaired back in May and the issue is gone. Look up the forum, there's a 100+ page thread on the ongoing issue. If your dealer gives you the runaround, you can refer to the forum. Lots of people even shared the content of their work order and many of us got it fixed. It did not come back, thank God...!

Think I figured out the shuddering when starting from a stop...can't believe it

feta_mgp

PratoN

cwmehring

PratoN

hand-filer

twokids

TboneZX3

feta_mgp

ralck

PratoN

Adversegecko

SportyChick

ricomtl

1slofofo

nebertcher

ricomtl

chum567

ricomtl

HornedFrog05

ricomtl

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