Ford Focus Hard Time Moving When Starting Off From a Stop

Customer Concern:
It has been going on for some time now, because I fear the worst and I have tried to ignore the problem because I am not financially prepared for a major transmission repair. When I accelerate from a stop, like from a stop light, the car has a hard time moving. Sometimes is feels like it is skipping or slipping. I have to manipulate the gas pedal in order for the car to shift gears. When I am on the freeway it seems like the car is working extra hard or even over revving?

Tri-City Transmission Diagnosis:

Our ASE Certified Technician scanned the vehicle computer & found diagnostic trouble codes (DTC): P0734 / PO734; gear 4 incorrect ratio. The Technician was able to verify the concern on the road test and confirmed that the transmission slides (slips shifts) into second gear and never is able to shift into fourth gear. Computer scanner data stream showed the computer commanding fourth gear with no response from the transmission. The Technician suspected a bad 2-4 servo piston in accordance with Ford technical service bulletin referencing a defective batch of servo pistons.

Tri-City Recommendation and Final Resolution:
Remove transmission pan, remove the valve body, and remove the 2-4 servo piston checking it for shrinkage. If the piston shows that it has shrunk, replace servo piston and service the transmission (this repair does not require major transmission removal). The technician did find a defective servo piston and was able to repair and service the transmission for less than the customer’s monthly car payment – a far cry from the cost of a rebuild or replacement transmission.

Customer Comments on This Repair:
I put off taking my car in for several months because I simply could not afford a major repair in this bad economy. You guys fixed my car for even a little less than you originally quoted me, and I had it back the same day. Thank you!! Joan

Tri-City Transmission of Tempe Comments:
This is routine repair at Tri-City Transmission. Customer usually describes the transmission as slipping or not shifting right. Easily miss-diagnosed by many auto repair and transmission shops as a bad transmission, this is only a minor repair. So minor, that we even consider it to be part of routine maintenance. We have found that by diligently seeking out the cause of the failure without taking the car apart, we can save the customer money and really feel good about what we do. While you are almost certain to fix the problem with an overhaul or replacement of the transmission; we feel this would be like sending a fire truck to extinguish a candle.

This transmission is not only found in the Ford Focus; it is also found in the Mazda 3 & Mazda 6. The Ford version is referred to as a 4F27E and the Mazda version is referred to as a FN4A-EL. As an added note, the Ford Focus version and Mazda 3 / 6 Version are identical with the exception of a back cover with a different transmission cooler line location. The back cover is a weak spot on the Mazda 3 / 6, but not on the Ford Focus; so when we rebuild this particular Mazda 3 or Mazda 6 version, we always use the Ford Focus back cover.