CVT Overheating?

lssmith · 06-05-2009, 09:56 AM

On a short drive after a 400 mile long one the day before, my 2006 showed a wrench warning light on the dash and entered into "limp home mode". The motor wouldn't go over 2500 rpm. I pulled over, shut the car off, restarted no light and the car worked fine. The next day amid another 400 mile drive the wrench warning light would flash while ascending hills, then go out on flat roads and downhill. I pulled code PO218 (overheating transmission) when I got home which has since cleared itself. There are no instructions in the owners manual for checking the fluid level, has anyone done this? There does not appear to be any leakage. I had the fluid changed at 30,000 miles, it now is at 50,000 miles. Any advice would be appreciated.

nrschaaf · 06-05-2009, 10:54 AM

Unfortunatly all I can tell you is that you can't check the fluid, your tranny is sealed. No idea why they do that I just know I've seen it alot over the last few years.
Does the car feel like its being restricted in any way, like your towing a trailer?
If something was restricting the cars movement that would cause the transmision to work harder hense running hotter.

lssmith · 06-05-2009, 05:25 PM

The car seemed to be operating fine. We did however have one of those big car top carriers from Sears on it. I left it in cruise control for most of the 400 miles at 75mph so I really wasn't stressing it with hard excelleration for obvious reasons.

I am just hoping someone else may see this post and have had a similar experience. I am trying to gather as much info as I can before going to my local dealer. The last time I went there they flat out tried to defraud me with a bogus $1000 dollar repair to the A/C, which I found out when I got a second opinion on the concern.

theoldwizard · 06-05-2009, 10:45 PM

I sincerely hope you did not do any internal damage to that transmission. It is an "orphan". Only produces for a few years and now out of production. Repairs on that particular transmission will likely be costly as few mechanics understand its internals and spare parts are soon going to be in short supply.

I hope you have the dealer change the ATF as it requires a very special fluid, designed only for that transmission and likely only available at FLM dealers.

revkev90 · 08-20-2009, 09:49 AM

You described what I am currently experiencing with my 06 Freestyle. The fix is a throttle body that is currently on backorder and will not be available until possibly October. We are in a rental car and the dealer is encouraging me to trade. I was informed that the manufacturer who produces these units may be out of business and Ford is trying to find another source.