zordak
Reader
7/6/23 3:28 p.m.
I have a 2015 ford focus 2.0l. Went to drive it the other day and no reverse and check engine light is on. Pulled codes and it was P090C. This is clutch actuator B low voltage. Google search on this is a little confusing. There are 2 of them and some confusion on which is which. Also whether or not a relearn procedure is needed. Thanks.
There are two of them because it is a twin clutch transmission.
Relearn is definitely required. What I usually do is inspect the wiring for breaks, swap actuators A and B (one is under the bellhousing, one over, I forget which is which), clear codes, perform the relearn, release the car, it comes back in a few weeks with the same code, so it needs a TCM, which is NLA the last I heard.
That is to say, while the actuators can fail, I have never had it not be a TCM.
zordak
Reader
7/9/23 8:32 a.m.
Ok thanks for the doom and gloom. I still owe 7000 on this and can't afford to throw that away. What is the relearn procedure and how is it triggered? Which is which as far as A and B actuators? Please help.
I don't sugarcoat things, if something might suck let's put that possibility on the table.
I honestly don't remember which is A and which is B. I am pretty sure that the relearn requires a scan tool, and I know for certain that you have to follow the procedure to the letter. If it says start engine then apply brake, if you start the engine with your foot on the brake it will fail, for instance.
With the ones I have seen that were a TCM, it was pretty intermittent, and could be "fixed" by clearing the codes in the TCM, which would buy a few weeks.
zordak
Reader
7/9/23 9:40 p.m.
Tried clearing codes did not help. I will start with swapping actuators and trying a relearn I found on the internet(I know could be bogus). If the relearn works I should see the error move to A if it is the actuator. I also read the rods actuator turns could get stuck. I'll check them.
zordak
Reader
7/11/23 9:51 a.m.
Found a free-ish system that will(according to the web site) do the TCM relearn for the trans. I ordered 2 of the actuators to just replace both and also the cable for the software.($60.00). Hopefully this will cure the problems and get me back on the road.
zordak
Reader
7/17/23 10:07 a.m.
O.K. Scary update. I went to move the car over to the workshop stall in the garage(3 car garage 1 stall with a level floor) and after shifting to neutral and pushing it back, just for kicks mind you, I shifted it in to reverse. Yes it worked. dug out The old code reader I had been using and cleared the codes. It stayed cleared. took it for a test drive on my usual loop, and no problems. So have parts I probably do not need, have a new OBD2 cable and software for fords that might come in handy (supposed to be other software for other cars available but malwarebytes says it's nasty.) and what is a ticking time bomb. I figure it is 1 of 3 things. #1 clutch actuator motor with an intermittent short. #2 TCM to clutch actuator cable with the same problem. #3 a bad TCM. Yes they are NLA from ford but the aftermarket has stepped up and has refurbs. Going to drive it until it hiccups again and try doing some testing. Or maybe just throw all the parts at it.
zordak
Reader
7/31/23 10:14 a.m.
Drove for 2 weeks and no problems. Had to pick up the Trans Am from the body shop, and had the wife drive the focus for some errands and home. she finished up the last one and on the way home it threw the code and the B actuator stopped working. She managed to limp it home. Now I have a good theory on what is going on. Both days were over 90deg F, both times we had been running around town running the AC. I believe the TCM gets heat soaked and fails. So yes as soon as I can find a replacement TCM I will replace all the parts and relearn the TCM.
zordak
HalfDork
10/14/23 7:30 p.m.
Ok last update. Replaced both actuators and the TCM and did a clutch relearn on it. Everything seems to be working properly. Hopefully next summer when it is hot it will not stop working.
JoeTR6
SuperDork
10/15/23 8:49 a.m.
It's good to hear you got this working. Our daughter sold her 2014 Focus last spring, and it was still soldiering on at 150k miles. Hopefully yours will too.