2008 Zetec auto trouble.

TITO · 09-08-2008, 07:01 PM

Has anybody experienced there auto going ''clunk'' just before you come to a full stop [while under brakes] Car has just had its 3000k service and this was its second visit for this problem but the service dept is trying to palm me off by saying other cars have had this problem going into first gear. What is even more anoying they think you would believe there crap its really puts me off buying an XR6.Anyway its booked in again this wednesday and I said it will be going back every week untill its sorted out.

Jerry · 09-08-2008, 07:26 PM

Our 07 LS Ghia does the same thing and when mentioned at the first service, we were told 'all the autos do it, it's normal....'

TITO · 09-08-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry

Our 07 LS Ghia does the same thing and when mentioned at the first service, we were told 'all the autos do it, it's normal....'

The demo model that we drove on 3 different accasions didnt do it and what I told these fools is that if the demo model did it I wouldnt have purchased a car that had a crap functioning auto.

TITO · 15-08-2008, 11:23 AM

If anybody is thinking about buying a 4 speed auto Focus, think again, trying to sort out the problem is a real pain in the ***, according to ford the clunk that the gear box has is not that bad. What planet are these guys on.

want-a-XY · 15-08-2008, 12:28 PM

i've never heard any ford auto of any of dad's go "clunk" going into first gear, ever. so it's obviously not normal. :S

20focus05 · 15-08-2008, 11:28 PM

these boxes are in the mazda 323 and 3, lazer and earlier focus, fn4ael /4f27e and has been around for sometime.
what a load of crap, take it to a trans specialist for check, A good one will give you much more info on about whats happening.

This is not a normal thing for any auto to do.

klone · 16-08-2008, 01:57 AM

My focus is about 7 weeks old with about 3000kms on the clock and yes, it's auto. My trans changes quite smooth through all gears, including going back into first. I've said this to others with waranty problems, and that is, dont put up with this crap. You have a new car that is under waranty and they have to fix it. Phone the Ford Customer Care Centre and take it up with them. You do not have to put up with the BS that comes out of the dealers mouths.

20focus05 · 16-08-2008, 03:38 PM

Go to a Trans specialist, their advice can be used as bullets.
Some may give you a written letter.

Get a second or third opinion

TITO · 18-08-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20focus05

Go to a Trans specialist, their advice can be used as bullets.
Some may give you a written letter.

Get a second or third opinion

Took it to a trans bloke where I take my Falcon, he noticed the problem. One quick phone call to one of his contacts and learns that Ford have been changing valve bodies in these boxes. Mentioned this to the service dept and no comment but did recomend we hit the brakes harder when pulling up so you dont feel the down shift. Good advice or what??

AnthonyTDCi · 18-08-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TITO

Mentioned this to the service dept and no comment but did recomend we hit the brakes harder when pulling up so you dont feel the down shift. Good advice or what??

ive tried this in her car and its made no difference apart from every passenger feel like the wanna vomit.

has it worked for you?

AnthonyTDCi · 17-08-2008, 12:21 AM

my mrs' mazda6 does the same thing...unfortunatly its no longer under warranty :(

ZE08TEC · 18-08-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TITO

Has anybody experienced there auto going ''clunk'' just before you come to a full stop [while under brakes]

I have an 08 Zetec that's 2 weeks old and has done 1200k's. I noticed the same "clunk" from day one but have yet to take it back to the dealer.
I've tried the brake harder solution

but it's really starting to annoy me.
I'm taking it in for a check up at the end of this week.

Cheers

TITO · 18-08-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZE08TEC

I have an 08 Zetec that's 2 weeks old and has done 1200k's. I noticed the same "clunk" from day one but have yet to take it back to the dealer.
I've tried the brake harder solution

but it's really starting to annoy me.
I'm taking it in for a check up at the end of this week.

Cheers

Get ready then, because the Ford guys think there is something going clunk in our heads. There is no way I will be letting this problem go. We had it from day one aswell.

ZE08TEC · 16-09-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZE08TEC

I have an 08 Zetec that's 2 weeks old and has done 1200k's. I noticed the same "clunk" from day one but have yet to take it back to the dealer.
I've tried the brake harder solution

but it's really starting to annoy me.
I'm taking it in for a check up at the end of this week.

Cheers

Hey all

Here's an update about my attempts to get my focus tranny "fixed" by Ford.

I've taken my car to the dealer on two occasions. The first time they test drove it and admitted that there was a problem with the tranny thumping back into first gear after coming to a stop. But as Ford was not aware of this problem, all they could do was to let their engineering dept know and wait for a response.
On the second occasion I took the car back for it's 3000km service and asked them to look at the tranny again as it's annoying the hell out of me.
Again they kept the car for a whole day and I suspect they did nothing to try and find the fault with it. I asked to speak to the service manager who was at the dept's back room but he sent out one of his lackey's to explain to me the situation...great customer service goes out the window after they have your money.
Feeling pretty ****ed off, I got home and rang Ford Customer Care
They gave me a reference number blah blah blah "and we will contact you when our engineering dept has a solution, but bear in mind that it may be a long time as this is not common"

Typical beat around the bush bullsht which I honestly didn't expect from FORD. I just want them to have a serious look at my car tranny and fix it.

A few days later some very condescending chic from ford customer care rang me to "confirm" that they had spoken to the dealer and to do me a favour they will keep my case open just in case they find a solution to the tranny problem because in their expert opinion the noise or thump the tranny makes is normal operation. Bullsht. Wow thanks that made my day.
Now i'll just sit here and wait for Ford to contact me sometime in the future.

Some things I've learnt.
Before handing over the money for a NEW FORD FOCUS, test drive it ( the one you are actually getting)

NEW FORD WARRANTY for TRANSMISSIONS seems to be open for interpretation to Ford's advantage.

I should have bought that VW Golf GTI instead.

Jerry · 19-08-2008, 01:05 AM

I also noticed that while in 'manual' mode, if I brake to a stop without 'manually' changing down it handles the down shifts OK till it goes back into first, then the whole car shudders and shakes as it goes into first.

It's due for a service is in the next couple of weeks, I will put it on the list of things to be looked at......

AnthonyTDCi · 19-08-2008, 09:30 AM

if it does the clunk sound in [D], it will still do it when in [Manual] mode.

Jerry · 19-08-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyTDCi

if it does the clunk sound in [D], it will still do it when in [Manual] mode.

Yes, but it's a shudder instead of the clunk.

20focus05 · 19-08-2008, 09:33 PM

I work on autos for a living, thats why i have a manual, LOL

But seriously this is not right,
The problem can also be other things like TPS not set correctly, which can give high line perssure, valve body issues. you wont get trouble codes for this so too hard for ford!!!

well if they let it continue trans specalist will love it, LOL

20focus05 · 24-08-2008, 11:37 AM

it could not be going into first that is making the shudder/clunk but one of the other clutches disengaging, i.e direct clutch.
Have to remind myself to looking in our tech books at work.
some other transmissions will do this if clearances are not correct with the direct clutch.

ams77 · 24-08-2008, 12:20 PM

had my falcon in for a service (not ford dealer) and thought the trans was over due and so got it serviced too. Picked it up and told " auto serviced and we even udjusted the bands for you". Drove off and the first set of lights I came to slow down to a stop "CLUNK" which it never did before. Took it back and subsequently reduced but still there sometimes.

20focus05 · 24-08-2008, 12:26 PM

"we even adjusted the bands for you" LOL
If it has adjustable band/s its part of the trans service!!!
service a trans every 20,000km or 12 months

fairmont1998 · 24-08-2008, 07:51 PM

You can feel our LS change to first as you pull up at the lights, but I wouldn't call it a clunk. Its a very slight shunt I guess. Haven't bothered doing anything about it, because when you're used to BTR equiped E series cars its still 100x smoother

TITO · 09-09-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

You can feel our LS change to first as you pull up at the lights, but I wouldn't call it a clunk. Its a very slight shunt I guess. Haven't bothered doing anything about it, because when you're used to BTR equiped E series cars its still 100x smoother

Im the opposite, if the Focus chaged gears as sharp as the EL we would be thrilled, we certainly dont feel it going into 1st before you stop.

fairmont1998 · 17-05-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

You can feel our LS change to first as you pull up at the lights, but I wouldn't call it a clunk. Its a very slight shunt I guess. Haven't bothered doing anything about it, because when you're used to BTR equiped E series cars its still 100x smoother

Just an update. Had the 30 000km service on Saturday and the dealer loaded the newest TCM software into the car. The shunt is completely gone now.

prydey · 18-05-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

Just an update. Had the 30 000km service on Saturday and the dealer loaded the newest TCM software into the car. The shunt is completely gone now.

what dealer? i notice wayne phillis @ christies has already had a few mentions in this thread. i use wayne phillis reynella for anything i need and they are awesome.

thanks for bumping this thread up. i bought a LS focus on the weekend for my inlaws and it seems to have this same problem.

the other time i noticed almost the same sort of 'shunt' was at 100 - 110 in 4th. almost like a really noticeable lockup of the converter. not sure if its related at all.

20focus05 - you still at rowell and searle? its interesting you mention the TPS could be faulty. the one i bought, when you go to take off, has not much reaction to the first bit of accelerater travel and then suddenly you are off. can this be adjusted? are they 'fly by wire'?

fairmont1998 · 20-05-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

what dealer? i notice wayne phillis @ christies has already had a few mentions in this thread. i use wayne phillis reynella for anything i need and they are awesome.

Jarvis Ford Norwood look after my two cars. I've been very happy with their service department.

20focus05 · 08-09-2008, 10:51 PM

Been doing some research.
Found from mate who is a ford dealer mechanic.
They have had quite a few return with this issue.
found to be the band apply servo pistons seal is buggered, maybe a bad batch.
these pistons have a seal that is moulded onto the piston.
this band comes on in 2nd and 4th so it is not releasing properly.
This servo is under the valve body.

so go and get it up your dealer.

Anthony it will be the same issue with the 6 as it also has the same trans

TITO · 09-09-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20focus05

Been doing some research.
Found from mate who is a ford dealer mechanic.
They have had quite a few return with this issue.
found to be the band apply servo pistons seal is buggered, maybe a bad batch.
these pistons have a seal that is moulded onto the piston.
this band comes on in 2nd and 4th so it is not releasing properly.
This servo is under the valve body.

so go and get it up your dealer.

Anthony it will be the same issue with the 6 as it also has the same trans

So, is that effecting the 1st gear selecting before coming to a full stop?

20focus05 · 09-09-2008, 10:52 PM

its not 1st you are feeling but the band which is applied during 2nd disengaging as it is in the process of changing out of 2nd and into 1st.
it is not disengaging fast enough and holding slightly while 1st is engaging. so when the band does release it lets go with a bang or a shudder.

to tell you we see quite a lot of these boxes but in mazda's. some have only done 80,000 and have bad wear on a few parts, BUT most of these have not been serviced regular or not at all.
These boxes do have some bad design faults
SO SERVICE IT EVERY 20,000 or 12 MONTHS.

DeKa · 28-09-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20focus05

SO SERVICE IT EVERY 20,000 or 12 MONTHS.

What do you recommend be actually carried out in an auto transmission service for a Focus, so I can make sure the right things are done?