“Ford Focus Transmission Malfunction Service Now” How To Fix This?

Why is the Ford Focus transmission malfunction service now showing? Ford Focus has transmission issues in their 2012 to 2016 models due to the dry clutch design. The transmission issues are pretty serious as it affects your control of acceleration.

When it occurs, your Ford Focus four-door may shudder, shake, jerk, and stall. You may also experience transmission fluid leak, grinding noise, transmission slip, stuck gears, and delayed or hard shifting. Therefore, accidents may take place if not taken care of on time.

If you are one of the sufferers, we can help you with the guidelines. Here, we will discuss the symptoms, reasons, and easy solutions for your Ford Focus transmission issues.

Ford Focus Transmission Malfunction Service Now: Symptoms, Reasons, & Solutions!

Ford Focus cars made between 2012-2016 that include the dry clutch and/or PowerShift (DPS6) as the automatic transmission are known to have transmission problems.

Reason	Solution
Connectivity issue	Remove paint from the grounding panel
Loose clutch	Replace the clutch actuators
Faulty transmission	Reset the transmission codes

Symptoms

Many customers complained of shuddering and shaking of the clutch when they slightly accelerated. There might not be any reverse shift or may shift all of a sudden at times. The following symptoms at once or separately may appear if there is a 2012 Ford Focus transmission malfunction service now issue in your car.

Shuddering and shaking
No cranking
Grinding noise
Transmission slip
Difficult to start or brake
Stuck gears
Loose clutch
Hard and/or delayed shift
Stalling (inability to accelerate)
Jerking
Transmission fluid leak
Hesitation

Solutions (3 Methods)

To solve the Ford Focus transmission malfunction service now battery, you may need to go through multiple solutions. You have to go by the symptoms and find the right solution from the answers given below. Also, try them all one by one if a single method does not work.

1. Replace The Clutch Actuator

The clutch actuators play a fine role in smoothening the riding experience in any car. Your Ford Focus comes with two clutch actuators. They help to stop, gear shift, and pull with a heart clutch operation. If there is an issue or your clutch actuators failed, there will be a code showing: Fault code: P090C:00-68, CLUTCH ACTUATOR CIRCUIT LOW. It can also happen if the transmission fluid enters the clutch actuator. Therefore, smooth transmission operation would fail as well. You will need to replace the clutch actuators as a fix.

Tools you’ll need: (use the tools according to your needs)

¼” Universal socket drive (must)
⅜” Drive ratchet
⅜” Extension drive
¼” Drive ratchet
5/16” Socket
9/32” Socket
10mm Socket

Method: Follow these steps below to change the clutch actuator of your Ford Focus car.

Unplug the battery.
Unplug and remove the airbox from the engine bay. You’ll see the clutch actuator on the left side, right above the transmission.
Remove all four bolts from the actuator using your ¼” universal socket.
Now pull out the actuator. You’ll notice a yellow plastic plug. Remove it fully disconnect from the TCM (transmission control module).
Insert the new clutch actuator and lock it in place with the yellow plug. Then secure it with the screws.
Repeat the same procedure with the lower actuator.
Attach with the airbox and place the airbox in the engine bay as usual.
Reconnect the battery. You are good to go!

Note: Lift the car when you change the second clutch actuator as it is on the bottom side. It will be easy to access to replace the lower clutch actuator when there is some space underneath.

2. Clear Paint From The Grounding Terminals For Better Connectivity

This step is useful when there is a code ‘P0882’, showing the power deficiency in the transmission module. Clearing the paint from behind the grounding terminal and negative posts from the battery may resolve this issue.

Tools you’ll need:

Sandpaper or dremel tool
An impact wrench

Method: If you are doing it for the first time, you may not know where the grounds are. You’ll see two of them just underneath the air box. And another one on the right of the battery. An easy way to identify the right grounding post is that you will probably have three dots on the bolts. To clear the paint from grounding terminals, follow the given steps.

Remove the airbox from the engine bay in the first place.
Remove the bolts from grounding terminals with the impact wrench.
Scrape off the paint from the connectivity terminals.
Put some dielectric grease.
Put the bolts back on and tighten them.
Reset the codes.

Your Ford Focus may now shift gear smoothly or at least better than before!

3. Reset The Transmission

Often just resetting the transmission resolves most of the issues. Resetting the Transmission Control Module or TCM on the Ford Focus models is super easy. Just follow the given steps-

Turn on the ignition.
Shift your gear into neutral.
Then turn off the ignition.
Wait for 15 seconds.
Shift the gear to parking mode.
Now turn on and off the ignition and wait for 15 sec.
Again turn on the ignition and shift into Neutral. Your transmission should be ready now. Repeat it a few times if you haven’t got the message yet.

You need to reset the transmission whenever you change the transmission control unit, transmission fluid, clutches, or solenoid to prevent transmission failure. This is also necessary when you replace the transmission. And you need to reprogram it every six or three months to improve car performance.

Apart from these, old transmission fluid can cause this message to pop up on the dashboard sometimes. So, it will be better to change the fluid, if you are using old transmission fluid.

Again, check for any leak on the transmission. If you find it, fix it as soon as possible. Also, sometimes, a worn-out torque converter may cause this issue.

This Video Will Help You Too!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you reset the transmission malfunction on a Ford Focus?

To reset the Ford Focus transmission, you have to turn on the ignition first. Shift to “Neutral.” Turn off the ignition and wait for 15 seconds. Shift to “Parking.” Turn on and off the ignition. Wait another 15 sec. Again turn on and shift to “Neutral.” Your transmission should be ready now. Repeat the process if it isn’t fixed yet.

What causes transmission malfunction in Ford Focus?

Well, there is a common reason that causes the transmission malfunction service now Ford Focus 2014 problem, and that is its PowerShift dual-clutch transmission design. The bluffy dry clutch design barely engages properly, and neither does it slip adequately to shift the gear.

How much does it cost to fix a Ford Focus transmission?

Though it depends where you fix it from, a complete Ford Focus transmission replacement may charge you between $3,500 to $5,000. The cost may reduce a little if it requires a slight modification. And for a clutch replacement, you may need to spend between $1,500 to $2,500. The Ford Focus transmission replacement cost may vary depending on the state of your transmission and the shop location. If you DIY, the cost will be reduced by almost 90% to 50%.

Ending Line

We hope to solve the ‘Ford Focus transmission malfunction service now’ issue by now. Often the issues may appear without giving you prior notice. So, as you own a Ford Focus, you better be ready for the problem to come. Or, you can fix it beforehand to avoid any emergency later.

However, if you are planning to shop for a Ford Focus car, CarSheild offers various types of warranty that also covers the transmission. This way, you can save a ton of bucks from going into the drain.

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“Ford Focus Transmission Malfunction Service Now” How To Fix This?