Ford Powershift

[wurzelanne]

I had a problem with a Volvo and they denied it was a fault even though a recall was issued in America. I went to a Volvo forum and posted for everyone with the problem to e-mail or telephone the main HQ. After a few weeks a recall was issued for the problem. Try it on the Ford forums.

 

[otherclive]

I had a problem with a Volvo and they denied it was a fault even though a recall was issued in America. I went to a Volvo forum and posted for everyone with the problem to e-mail or telephone the main HQ. After a few weeks a recall was issued for the problem. Try it on the Ford forums.

Thanks for the tip. Although some aspects of the Powershift were subject to recall and the ECU has been given 5 years but Ford haven’t advertised as such. So unless anyone took it to a Ford dealer they may not become aware. We are still trying with Ford if only for a goodwill contribution. But given their fragile financial position in Europe I don’t hold out much hope.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Come on Clive

Think about the CRA. It applies to works carried out for repairs if any new parts were fitted and if not for the workmanship, and durability.

 

[otherclive]

Come on Clive

Think about the CRA. It applies to works carried out for repairs if any new parts were fitted and if not for the workmanship, and durability.

Prof
The last work was done by Ford under contract from the supplying dealer. Now when it broke down she contacted the supplying dealer who did not want to know as the car has its Autoprotect warranty bought by my daughter when she purchased the car. So when it was recovered she had it taken straight to the main Ford dealer and authorised them to start work. So in effect circumventing the CRA. But as a single parent doing a part time degree and community mental health assessor her first priority is to get her car repaired and mobile again. It’s okay using CRA for a caravan, cooker, tv etc as there are always work arounds. But when a car is fundamental to your life and you only have the one, decisions have to be made in the light of ones overall priorities. In the meantime not only am I knocking up the miles visiting my elderly father in a care home in Leicestershire, I will be chauffeur to my daughter in her visits Wiltshire’s elderly mental patients as the health trust pool cars are manual, and she drives autos 🙂

 

[ProfJohnL]

One of the overriding principles of the CAR and SoGA before it is that nothing can overturn your rights under the Act. Manufacturers wording should contain a phrase like " Your statutory rights are unaffected"

The point is your contract is with the seller ( not the manufacturer);

If the seller referred the job to the manufacturer, then legally the seller is subcontracting the job to a third Party, but also legally they cannot absolve themselves of liability as they have contracted the work and should have used due diligence in choosing the best supplier to carry out the work.

If the work is substandard the seller is responsible because they should have engaged a subcontractor who would carry out competent repairs. The fact it was the manufacture has no relevance.

The CRA has to be used properly and that does mean it may not be the most convenient process, but it is there to help prevent consumers being taken for rides by sellers.

 

[otherclive]

One of the overriding principles of the CAR and SoGA before it is that nothing can overturn your rights under the Act. Manufacturers wording should contain a phrase like " Your statutory rights are unaffected"

The point is your contract is with the seller ( not the manufacturer);

If the seller referred the job to the manufacturer, then legally the seller is subcontracting the job to a third Party, but also legally they cannot absolve themselves of liability as they have contracted the work and should have used due diligence in choosing the best supplier to carry out the work.

If the work is substandard the seller is responsible because they should have engaged a subcontractor who would carry out competent repairs. The fact it was the manufacture has no relevance.

The CRA has to be used properly and that does mean it may not be the most convenient process, but it is there to help prevent consumers being taken for rides by sellers.

Prof
I thought my post above made it quite clear that I understood the rights under the CRA. But at times priorities have to be assessed over which is the best course of action. In my daughters case it is to get her mobile again and her cars Autoprotect warranty will do that by bearing the majority of the cost of a rebuild by a Ford main service Center. Delays cause major inconvenience to her work, her studies and her family. The CRA is good legislation but at times it’s not convenient to pursue ones rights under it. Class actions as per US and Australia have bought major benefits to owners of failed Powershift units. But in U.K. class actions for vehicles are unknown.

 

[otherclive]

Ford main service centre have dismantled the gearbox and found a collapsed shift actuator. Hence the total loss of drive in forwards or reverse gears. The warranty company Autoprotect have insisted that the Shift and Clutch Actuators must be replaced, and although the twin clutch packs are only just over 12 month old and 5000 miles these too will be replaced along with all seals. Car should be available early next week.

If anyone wants to see how complex these "auto" gearboxes are I have posted a link below. It may come as a revelation to know that there are electric motors within the gearbox that control gear and clutch synchronisation. Call me old fashioned but I would prefer the torque convertor auto any day. Yes I do know that mine Superb is a DSG twin clutch job, but at least its a wet lubricated one.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/168683-ford-powershift-dual-clutch-transmission-dct-technical-overview.html

 

[Guzzilazz]

Really interesting, thanks. I have a nervousness about the use of these gearboxes in high power/high torque applications it doesn't "feel" right because the clutches are so much smaller than a conventional manual clutch. I agree that Torque converter box would be preferable, but then you're back with the economy issues of traditional auto boxes...

My wife is getting towards the stage with knee issues when an auto will be necessary, and I dread the "this is how it works, dear, and this is how you should drive with it"

Perhaps stopping calling them auto boxes would be a good idea?