thumping to first gear? problem fixed

[fishontherun]

hi guys,
last weekend Thomson Ford was finally able to fixed the problem I (and a few of you automatic LT owner) had: thumping from 2nd to 1st gear when slowing down to a full stop. They did a PCM update and it worked a magic.
cheers.

[mohit]

Interesting, as i always thought it was a mechanical problem. Have you got any more info on this mate? Should all Ford dealers be aware of this?

[DZFord]

Far out, Ford rebuilt my transmission trying to fix this problem (under warranty, of course).

When I picked up the car, one of the transmission mechanics said off the record that he always thought it was an ECU problem, not a mechanical problem. ford should have listened to him!

I'll ask them to do an update next time it is in for service.

[rand0mn00b]

gotta love Thomson Ford

Getting them to install a new drive shaft for my noisy CV joints soon

[focus181]

Originally Posted by fishontherun

hi guys,
last weekend Thomson Ford was finally able to fixed the problem I (and a few of you automatic LT owner) had: thumping from 2nd to 1st gear when slowing down to a full stop. They did a PCM update and it worked a magic.
cheers.

Was your car in for a normal service (ie 15,000k) or in for the thumping problem..??

I rang a local dealer's service dept up here today asking if any new software updates or upgrades for the LT Focus have been released by Ford recently and he replied no, but also said they would normally check the onboard computer for upgrades as part of a normal service .

Ours is nearly due for a 15000 service anyway - last software upgrade was performed during the early stages of us fighting the dealer up here with our problem (ie well over 6mths ago)

[leakey]

Originally Posted by rand0mn00b

gotta love Thomson Ford

Getting them to install a new drive shaft for my noisy CV joints soon

I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee a few years back. Had this bloody "ticking" on near to full lock when turning. Under warranty, the CVs were changed twice on the driver's side and once on the passenger. After a few days it always came back. Grr. Had the drive shafts changed numerous times too. I was not a happy chappy.

Took a first year mechanic to work out there was a slight distortion in the hub where the shaft spline goes in to it. With grease etc, and a not perfectly fitting spline and hub, an air pocket was created. Very small, but under certain loads, it "popped", reset, then popped again in very rapid succession. It was the ticking sound alright. Replaced the hub and all was good.

I was told that it went in to the history books, and is one of the first things they check now when such a claim arises. Think of the money and time they would have saved!!

[mohit]

Our LT Focus is at Strapp Ford today getting a couple of things done. Mentioned the 1st gear thump PCM update to them. They don't know anything about it. They said they will look into it.

[Velociraptor82]

Originally Posted by mohit

They don't know anything about it.

Why doesn't that surprise me? As far as strapp ford are concerned, they know your car better than you do and there is nothing wrong with it. (even if the car is missing 4 wheels and a engine)

[fishontherun]

I actually have made a few enquiry when first got the car, and they told me it's "normal operation", until recently I emailed the Sales Manager telling him how disappointed I was about the quality. So you guessed it, next day Service contacted me and ask to bring the car in so they could "attemp" to fix it. I had the 15k service done as well for the convenience.
I think you should channel your enquiry through the Sales people, it'd be more efficient than go to Service direct.

[mohit]

Originally Posted by fishontherun

I actually have made a few enquiry when first got the car, and they told me it's "normal operation", until recently I emailed the Sales Manager telling him how disappointed I was about the quality. So you guessed it, next day Service contacted me and ask to bring the car in so they could "attemp" to fix it. I had the 15k service done as well for the convenience.
I think you should channel your enquiry through the Sales people, it'd be more efficient than go to Service direct.

Well the sales manager was the one who sold us the Focus so yeah i might have to contact him if i get no where with the Service Dept.

Have you got any more info on the PCM update fishontherun?

[fishontherun]

hi mohit I just had a look a the paper, not much more details. in the diagnosis section it says " C&R change erratic" and solution is "upgrade P.C.M". I remember the service guy told me that this new software version is specifically to fix this problem. hope this help. if you need any specific details let me know I can try look into the paperworks :-)

[20focus05]

I going to put this in the memory bank too.
Hope the others that are having this issue see this thread

[focus181]

Our LT auto had its 15000 service yesterday and yes, there was an update for the pcu and yes, our thumping problem is now solved.
So much for "Customer Service" - was a pity that no-one from either the Dealer we purchased the car from, nor FORD Customer Care Centre themselves, had the foresight to contact us directly to advise of the availability of the PCU update - we had to find out ourselves through Forums like this. (In hindsite I suppose, that's why these Forums exist).

[Dustproof]

Originally Posted by focus181

Our LT auto had its 15000 service yesterday and yes, there was an update for the pcu and yes, our thumping problem is now solved.
So much for "Customer Service" - was a pity that no-one from either the Dealer we purchased the car from, nor FORD Customer Care Centre themselves, had the foresight to contact us directly to advise of the availability of the PCU update - we had to find out ourselves through Forums like this. (In hindsite I suppose, that's why these Forums exist).

Mate, you got that exactly right! Forums are a very good source of Information.

Dusty :