Question for anyone with EDC gearbox issues and/or who have had TCU replacement

[XMeggyX]

Hi guys,

I just want to apologize in advanced, in case this comes across as a little loopy. Before you conclude that I am a f@#$ing idiot, please stick with me and have a look yourself.

I've had issues with my EDC and have been digging around every corner of every forum, Reddit, and Facebook for information about the problem.

I've noticed a trend that seems to be pretty consistent. You can see for yourself by searching this forum, Reddit, or Facebook Renault pages for "check auto gearbox" and then click on a user profile to see what else they have sought help on. I know that it sounds absolutely insane, but it won't take you more than a minute to confirm it for yourself.

Those who post about gearbox issues also have threads or posts in their history related to one or more of the following:
- Coolant leak
- Thermostat problems
- Battery draining
- O2 errors
- Injection errors
- Parking break errors
- ABS/ESP

What do these all have in common? They are protected circuits in the engine bay fuse box.

Many people replace the battery, TCU, or other transmission components with mixed success, and often report that the unit eventually fails again.

Is it possible that gearbox issues have been misdiagnosed as TCU failure?

The fact that the battery sometimes remediates the issue may suggest that it is related to the electrical system - which may have potentially been damaged by coolant leakage near the transmission or wiring, causing voltage issues.

Additionally, the process of replacing the TCU requires the gearbox to be removed. In the process, this would require the mechanic to remove and potentially clean other connectors - which may suggest that the fix lies not in the new TCU, but the fact that things are disconnected and refreshed.

As such, my question to you:

If you have had gearbox issues or a TCU replaced, have you ever experienced any of these other symptoms - and in particular, coolant leakage?

It's also curious that the Ford cars using the same transmission also have coolant issues. Both components have been recalled.

 

[Adey]

Coolant issue I don't think has any relevance (on the clio edc anyway) the common leak occurs no where near the connections or tcu as far as I'm aware. Its a bottom rad hose clip that rots away.

I think alot of issues are down to a dying battery and increasing resistance as the connections get older. The cars multiple ecus being sensitive to voltage then throw up warnings and go into limp mode. On the clios it's well documented that failing batteries cause all sorts of electrical warnings and faults.

 

[XMeggyX]

Coolant issue I don't think has any relevance (on the clio edc anyway) the common leak occurs no where near the connections or tcu as far as I'm aware. Its a bottom rad hose clip that rots away.

I think alot of issues are down to a dying battery and increasing resistance as the connections get older. The cars multiple ecus being sensitive to voltage then throw up warnings and go into limp mode. On the clios it's well documented that failing batteries cause all sorts of electrical warnings and faults.

That is basically what I am trying to get at. I think the coolant is responsible for damage to wiring or components and subsequently causing higher resistance, parasitic draw, voltage irregularities, and reduced battery health - and consequently the malfunction of the stuff listed.

I know it sounds like conspiratorial, tinfoil hat stuff - but this stuff all seems to occur together.

 

[Adey]

Unless you have coolant spraying over your whole engine bay for months/years it isnt the cause.

Poor insulation, climate and quality of the connections from factory will be more of an issue than the coolant loss.

 

[Red21]

Meggy,
A 12 volt battery and earthing check & a potential software update would be my first call, but one thing don't say is what DTC/fault codes are being displayed when a diagnostic scan is done for all computers and what has been done to resolve those codes? and if the vehicle has been "Mapped"
From my experience each fault has to be taken on its own unless the actual factory fault finding sequence refers to another fault code either within the gearbox computer or another system as the main computers all talk to each other, and internet diag can be a big rabbit hole of "It could be this or that"
Ford may use the same family of gearbox with similar components to a Renault but that's where the similarity ends, as installation and final specification of control actuators etc, are down to each manufacture so common issues may not always be the same.
What I am trying to say, if you haven't already, find a repair centre who knows the product and has access to factory notices/ fault finding sequence and be prepared to spend some money to come a conclusion and if you do pick a Renault or another outlet give them all the information of what has been done previously.

 

[Mark_L]

My wife’s Clio edc has had a couple of issues the last month. The gearbox won’t drive, and comes up check gearbox. If she locks and unlocks it is all ok. The other issue is the dash display/screen seems very slow to start where it was a lot quicker to start up.

So be worth checking/replacing the battery. Was considering a software update aswell as I’ve seen someone mention this sorted his problem.

@Adey are you able to do a software update? Or know of someone?

 

[XMeggyX]

My wife’s Clio edc has had a couple of issues the last month. The gearbox won’t drive, and comes up check gearbox. If she locks and unlocks it is all ok. The other issue is the dash display/screen seems very slow to start where it was a lot quicker to start up.

So be worth checking/replacing the battery. Was considering a software update aswell as I’ve seen someone mention this sorted his problem.

@Adey are you able to do a software update? Or know of someone?

Mine is having the same issue but I haven't tried locking/unlocking. Do you do it while sitting in the car?

Did you end up swapping the battery in her car?

 

[Adey]

My wife’s Clio edc has had a couple of issues the last month. The gearbox won’t drive, and comes up check gearbox. If she locks and unlocks it is all ok. The other issue is the dash display/screen seems very slow to start where it was a lot quicker to start up.

So be worth checking/replacing the battery. Was considering a software update aswell as I’ve seen someone mention this sorted his problem.

@Adey are you able to do a software update? Or know of someone?

gearbox software? not something I can currently do. Id defo check the battery as a first port of call

 

[Mark_L]

Mine is having the same issue but I haven't tried locking/unlocking. Do you do it while sitting in the car?

Did you end up swapping the battery in her car?

She gets out and locks/unlocks then off she goes. Not swapped the battery yet. But will be looking into it.

 

[Mark_L]

gearbox software? not something I can currently do. Id defo check the battery as a first port of call

Will do. Just put one on my 3 series as that was getting worse.