SMax Gearbox trouble - Shift Solenoid D Performance P0766

[S-Max2013]

I am new to this forum. We bought an automatic Ford S-Max second hand last year and within a few months we started having a transmission error message first thing in the morning when it was cold and the car would then go into limp mode.
If we turn the engine off and open the car door (!) the car then restarts fine and drives fine, although can be a bit jerky at the beginning.
I returned it to the garage we bought it from during its three month warranty and they told me that there was no error on the car's computer and that everything was fine.

I have just put the car in for its annual service and MOT with a local mechanic, who says that there is an error code of P0766 on the car's computer. Shift Solenoid D performance or stuck off. He advised me to contact another garage that specialises in gearboxes. They have told me that this is a common problem with S-Maxes of the same age as ours and that it is a problem with the Power Shift gear box. He says that he doesn't do automatics anymore, but that we are probably looking at Ã,£4,000-Ã,£5,000 to pay to change the gear box if we can find anyone to do it!

Has anyone else had this problem? Can anyone give me any advice? We only have one car.

[SirDavidAlhambra]

I'd be going back to the place you bought it from and tell them to stop fobbing you off and stalling until your warranty runs out!

Perhaps put it in writing, so that the complaint is registered as starting before too long passes by.

That said, Ã,£5K sounds like a bit much for a gearbox really. You can buy a whole car for less than that.

I hope you get this problem sorted out soon, it sounds like it must be a big worry

[brianh]

I'd read the top post to say the warranty probably already has run out, unfortunately.

There are many posts on the powershift boxes on here - https://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/mk3-ford-galaxy-ford-s-max/i-might-be-coming-back-again!!/msg18947/#msg18947 covers the general theme of them (not serviced on time, and problems start happening).

Given you have an error code, if you can find someone that will touch it, Given you have a fault code, you might be in luck on that front as you can give them the code to get an idea before they even see the car (it suggests a specific part is the problem rather than a vague description of the problem at least).

P0766 paired with s-max brings back a few matches on Google - This one in particular looks worth a look https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=220&t=1710116

Your probably looking realistically to get someone to fix the box you have, rather than swapping the whole box, but even so, its not going to be particularly cheap.

[johnnyroper]

Find yourself a decent auto box specialist they really arenââ,¬â,,¢t that hard to work on just need to find someone who will fix and not replace.
I have done my bmw mechatronic block myself and it really is just a load of bolts and then refilling oil using correct procedure.

The mechatronic block wasnââ,¬â,,¢t knackered on mine just not performing well due to lack of oil changes so a clean up with new seals and then Fresh oil sorted it.

I believe the ford powermax is susceptible to issues if oil not been changed.

[Casey2805]

Hi, our car (also an S max ) is doing exactly as described in your post and have also been quoted 4,500 For a whole new unit. I'm wondering if you resolved the issue in the end? Without having to replace the whole unit?
 Thanks

[brianh]

Have you had a code read done of the box? There can be many reasons for it to go into limp mode, it will help if you know what is causing that to know what the problem is. It may even give you something specific to try changing or looking at. The powershift boxes are problematic if the oil changes aren't done when they should be as you probabbly see from looking on here.

[SirDavidAlhambra]

The S Max gearboxes don't seem to be very reliable

[Mirez]

There are two powershift boxes from what I gather, the lower power one is the one that gives the majority of problems. The bigger one isn't so much of an issue if the oil is changed regularly but Ford have ditched the powershift boxes and when a manufacturer does that, its normally for a reason!