I have a 2015 Ford Focus (purchased new). Several years back they issued an extended warranty (rather than a recall) because of complaints from the TCM. I don’t have the letter with me but this is the gist of it https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10237441-0001.pdf .
I had this replaced in 2022 and it has been working fine until recently. The transmission started slipping a couple of weeks ago (I may be using incorrect terminology but that is what it felt like). They are saying I need a new clutch and some other parts that are good to replace along with that. They are also going to replace the TCM again. That part is covered but they are saying I will need to cover the parts for the clutch, etc. Could a faulty TCM not cause the clutch to burn/break? They are checking on this, but my feeling is that the faulty transmission control module caused the other parts of the transmission to break and everything should be covered because of this. I know almost nothing about cars so I wanted to check with all of you smart people before trying to argue with Ford if they say no. Thank you!
Edit: forgot to mention this is an automatic transmission.
Since the TCM controls all of the shifts in your DPS6 model (made by Getrag) DCT (dual clutch transmission), or as named for, or by Ford the DCPS (Dual Clutch Power Shift) transmission…
The shift actuator motors are built into the TCM, but it could also be one or both of the clutch actuator motors (controlled by the TCM) that are failing to engage/disengage one of the two clutch’s forks for the throw out bearings… The twin clutch pressure plates are also by default held open by spring pressure (opposite of a normal manual clutch setup), so a failing spring in the pressure plate could be causing the clutch pressure plate to partially engage causing premature wear and the clutch disc to slip when fully engaged… kinda like riding the clutch on a normal manual shifted transmission…
This slipping, does it only do it in 1/2 the gears, or all the gears???
Cause, clutch #1 only works gears 1,3 & 5 and clutch #2 only works gears 2,4,6 & R, so if you had one clutch failing it would affect either the even or odd numbered gears…
There are so many different things that can cause the transmissions to fail, the TCM being the main one, but lots of sensors as well as input signals from the ECM for shifting…
- The TCM collects input signals from various sensors, assess the input, and control the actuators accordingly. The principle is simple, the execution is complex!
Input used by the TCM includes:
- Transmission range (P/R/N/D/S/L, etc.)
- Vehicle speed
- Engine speed and engine torque
- Throttle position
- Engine temperature
- Ambient temperature (to decide how viscous the transmission oil is, for cold starts)
- Steering angle (to avoid upshifts or downshifts during cornering)
- Brake inputs
- Input shaft speed (for both input shafts)
- Vehicle attitude (tilt) from the body control module (BCM)
Do you have a CEL on?? if so what are the codes, you might need a good scanner to be able to read the TCM codes if any, but need ALL the codes to even begin to have a clue what is happening with your transmission… If not, check for pending codes or history codes…