Ford Focus Transmission Problems

672 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 12:25 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus SVT, Ford Focus, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

    
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#137 of 672 Re: 2002 Ford Focus Transmission Repair Instructions by diynbc79

Mar 17, 2009 (12:41 pm)

I did take the Car originally to an Autozone and had the hand-held device hooked-up to it.
 
My error code was the same as everyone elses P0705.
 
The sysmptoms were identical to everyone elses, the neutral slipping-gear thing...
 
Following the procedure from Post #110 fixed the problem perfectly and Car is now driving excellently.
 
We were not even aware of the reverse issue until right before we started working on the car.
 
Now as I shift the car into reverse Ifeel the Reverse Gear engaging but when we accelerate it drops into neutral just like it used to do in Drive at 32 mph before we replaced the solenoid.
 
Since the repair, the Engine Light has turned off. Autozone claims that they cannot scan the Car if the engin light is not on.
 
The only thing I can think of is perhaps we need more Trasaxle fluid??
 
I have about 4 qts in there now, but Autozone says a full refill is 7 qts.
 
What do you guys think???

#138 of 672 Re: 2002 Ford Focus Transmission Repair Instructions [diynbc79] by dno36

Mar 18, 2009 (4:48 am)

Replying to: diynbc79 (Mar 17, 2009 12:41 pm)
#1 - Check the fluid properly.
 
2. How do you know how much fluid is in the car??
 
3. I believe 7 qts is total capacity of the transmission, not a "refill" amount. Be very careful with adding fluid, do it slowly and keep checking the level as you add.
 
4. My Autozone here in IL, will plug in their scanner and give me a history reading as well, even if the "light" is not on. Maybe yours will too.
 
It does sound as if you may have a fluid level issue from your symptoms stated.
Check and be careful.
 
GL
 
Dean.

#139 of 672 CODES CHECK - BASE- LINE by markus5

Mar 18, 2009 (8:06 am)

Does it make any sense at all to get this free codes check at auto zone if your transmission is free from symptons. I have an "04 with 67 k miles. It was factory serviced by my dealer at the recommended intervals.
I have an extended warrantee. I wonder if it is better to just let it fail then to start in with maintenance that is not needed ?

#140 of 672 Re: CODES CHECK - BASE- LINE [markus5] by dno36

Mar 19, 2009 (1:53 pm)

Replying to: markus5 (Mar 18, 2009 8:06 am)
Which post are you referring to Markus??
 
D.

#141 of 672 Re: CODES CHECK - BASE- LINE [dno36] by markus5

Mar 20, 2009 (8:01 am)

Replying to: dno36 (Mar 19, 2009 1:53 pm)
D.
My comment was not referencing any particular post but rather this last string of posts regarding diagnosing Transmission Failure. I know there are lots of points of view out there and even some old wives tales, ie., changing transmission fluid will cause more problems, and so forth.
 
When I refer to a base-line diagnostic in the post, it is analygous to getting base lines as we get medical check-ups- all of these Diagnostics can sometimes result in recommendations for unnecessary medical procedures.
 
When my 5 year Factory warrenty expired, I chose to keep the car and purchased an extension from the dealer, That is why perhaps, I have the luxury of being able to say "just let it fail completely."
  
 
markus

#142 of 672 Transmission problems? by posfordowner03

Mar 26, 2009 (12:17 am)

We bought our car in July of 08. 2003 Ford Focus ZX3 at 55,000 miles and now in March we have about 68,000 (southern cali, all highway). Anyways in the past month we noticed the car was running different and then recently it got worse. In the morning's when it was really cold and we would not let it warm up once it got to 2nd it kicked and the orange o/d light turned on. I would have to pull over and wait for it to warm up to drive it again and the check engine light would be on. The poof in 3-4 days it would be off. Took it to a friend and plugged it in when the check engine light was on and poof it would go off.
 
We took it to a Ford dealership (they had to replace the overfill tank too) with the check engine light on. They got two codes P0720 AND P0722. Told us we could replace the "output shaft speed sensor" or replace the transmission. They told us when they pulled the pin they found metal debris in the transmission. After being quoted to replace the transmission at .... $3900 we decided to take it elsewhere. Why would we put a new transmission in an 03 Ford?
 
The new place we took it to FINALLY got the car to kick and see the problem. Now they are saying there is an internal transmission problem and an external electrical problem. Its been almost two weeks and no answers and nothing fixed. Plus this place is soooo NOT great at calling us back and I have no where else to turn.
 
I have been reading this site for the past two weeks and I am hoping someone can provide some input.

#143 of 672 Re: Transmission problems? [posfordowner03] by dno36

Mar 27, 2009 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: posfordowner03 (Mar 26, 2009 12:17 am)
Hey POSOwner.....LOL.
 
Just my 2-cents here.
 
Pretty good description on the symptoms here, that helps a bunch!
 
1. Almost anytime you open a transmission that has been driven awhile, and I would consider 68K miles awhile, you will find metal of some sort in the "pan"(I am assuming that's what you meant). Do not let that scare you.
 
2. If it were me, with the trouble light going on-and-off, I would look to some kind of loose connection along the output sensor system.
 
3. As far as the 1st transmission shop..$3,900.00........did that include the fully functioning car that it came out of?? There is not a maximum profit law that I know of, so a shop can charge about anything they feel, or, maybe they just can't do it efficiently, and need to charge accordingly.
 
4. 2nd trans shop, external electrical sounds about right, and maybe the internal as well. If it were me, I would see how much the external electrical issue would cost to fix, maybe fix that 1st, and go from there. That may be the sole irritant to the trans operation. Even if not, it seems to be the most cost efficient way to go.
 
GL
 
D.

#144 of 672 looking for stage 1 focus svt clutch kit by focusonthis1

Mar 29, 2009 (7:28 pm)

i am having a hard time finding a stage 1 clutch kit without a flywheel included. i bought a kit from summit racing,and it turned out to be the wrong one, but i didnt realize it untill after i bought a flywheel. all the kits that im finding have the flywheel included. anyone know where i can just get a clutch kit?

#145 of 672 2003 Ford Focus ZTS Over Drive Indicator On by bones81

Apr 23, 2009 (7:04 am)

I have a Ford Focus ZTS and the "OD is off" indicator light is on. It will not shift when trying to go +50. This is the only sympton. What could be causing this?
 
Thanks

#146 of 672 Re: 2003 Ford Focus ZTS Over Drive Indicator On [bones81] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 23, 2009 (7:50 am)

Replying to: bones81 (Apr 23, 2009 7:04 am)
Number of things. If the light is on, in the dash, it is telling you that 4th gear is being locked out by the computer (PCM). It might be a bad temperature sensor, which would refuse 4th gear if the trans were not hot enough.
 
This is an electronically controlled transmission and you'll have to have the codes read to figure out what has failed. I don't think it is the OD switch itself.
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