Limp Mode on the Track

[svttim]

So I feel like I should update everyone on the learning curve here. I received a reply from Ford and I am getting all the information documented in the event there are more folks with the issue.

Ford put our a tech alert #5542 Effective date 27-April-2016

"Some 2015-2016 Mustang GT350 vehicles not equipped with the optional Track Package may experience high transmission fluid temperatures from extended high speed or racetrack operation. The PCM will reduce power and/or RPM in addition to storing P0218 and P1783 DTCs when this occurs. This should be considered a normal operating condition for vehicles not equipped with an external transmission oil cooler. Customers should be reminded to refer to the owner guide for recommendations on sustained high speed or track use and possible warranty implications. This notice does not apply to GT350R or GT350 Track Package equipped vehicles."

As of now, Ford has not offered any remedy for the Tech Package limp issue. My dealer, which is just learning about these cars, has offered to replace the transmission and add the transmission cooler for $6800, and drivetrain warranty will remain in effect. Ford Performance is working on a aftermarket cooler, but this will void the factory warranty since it is will not be OEM. If you experience one of these episodes I ask you to take in your tech pack car to log an event with Ford Service, the government will not mandate a recall unless a percentage of these cars displays the same issue, and or it represents a hazard to drivers. I plan to take mine in every time I trigger one. This is the first summer with the car, so I have a feeling more people will experience the same issue I had as time progresses.

I could be wrong but I have never heard of a Ford Performance part not retaining warranty

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[NipSC4328]

I could be wrong but I have never heard of a Ford Performance part not retaining warranty

They (FPP) sell a blower for the Coyote that when installed by an authorized installer doesn't void the warranty, hard to imagine a cooler would be an issue.

 

[142KMPH]

I could be wrong but I have never heard of a Ford Performance part not retaining warranty

Its do to the pump, they told me that if the pump failed and something happened to the transmission, then they would not fix it, and that was from the Ford Rep, not the dealership.

 

[zombiekiller]

I appreciate the feedback here, as I stated before, I live in the deep south, it gets very hot and humid here, I had a single Limp mode event during highway driving at what I consider normal conditions. As for the Tech alert, I bought my GT350 mid April, the car has only a few hundred miles on it. I don't feel like I was ripped off buying this car, but I do want to be able to drive it without concern. Since most people buy track car to drive on a track, I bought mine to drive around town and to shows. I just wanted to share my experience and hopefully help others that may experience the same and wonder what can be done. as for the $6800 dollars, they want to give me a core charge of $1000, and that was a drive out price. My mother-in-law works at this dealership, they gave me a 15% discount on parts, but labor was not. The key item here is what will Ford warranty, yeah my deal may fix it with aftermarket bolt on coolers, but take it down the street to another dealer to fix it, or try to sell it, you will be suprised at the loss. The only reason I posted this was to let everyone know that the Manufacturer will stand behind the 3/36 warranty if you swap it out for the one with the internal pump. Ford has already changed this for the 2017 models. Look at it this way, if you were concerned about losing some resale value because of this issue, its probably a wash if you just replace the transmission and add coolers. I still plan to beat up on Ford to cover the labor, more than likely it will be after this summer, once the car has a few more of these events.

I live in louisiana, it doesnt get much more deep south than new orleans. Net/net, even replacing the trans with the track pack trans puts the car in a state that is not factory ( i.e. how it left the plant.) in terms of the law, it is considered aftermarket.

I would sit tight and wait to see what FP releases. I hear the first of the kits ( that leverages the track pack trans part number) is due very very soon. I'd also anticipate that it will be less for the whole kit than your dealer is telling you. If you'd like to save some coin, half of the job price is most likely to install the cooling duct, finned portion and lines, which is not that difficult to do. you may want to take on that piece yourself should you decide to pull the trigger ahead of the kit.

As for me being worried about aftermarket vs. not, i wont be making one single permanent modification. not even drilling a mounting hole, so It will be very very easy to go right back to stock, or to simply swap in the trans at a later date, thus removing the electrical pump.

when FP releases their kits, should i choose to go that route, everything that is aftermarket can find a use/home on one of my other cars. ::shrug::

anecdotally, while my trans has gotten a little toasty on the road, i havent hit limp mode yet on public streets. only on the track. my main concern has been longevity of the trans based on increased exposure to heat.

 

[zombiekiller]

Its do to the pump, they told me that if the pump failed and something happened to the transmission, then they would not fix it, and that was from the Ford Rep, not the dealership.

if installed correctly with a quality part, a pump failure would not cause trans failure, unless it blew apart at the seals and you werent paying any attention.

it's far more probable to experience a line failure.

net/net, lets just say that your aftermarket pump failed catestrophically, at worst you'd be on the hook for the transmission, which you're looking to buy anyway, so what would you be out if they denied coverage? $1000?

 

[superman07]

"my main concern has been longevity of the trans based on increased exposure to heat."

This weekend it only got to the mid 80s during my drives. Being pro-active I decided to make the most liberal use of 6th gear possible using 5th sparingly on large hills, and when I needed more gear to pass safely.

to my surprise it did not really matter that much. Temps still reached over 200 degrees in pretty short order. Due to the hills and valleys ambient would be from 81 to 85 degrees for the most part. At the end of the run I hit 5th for a couple minutes hard, really hard, running with a c6. to my surprise the temps only bumped up a few degrees.

I still believe in higher temps the transmission runs too hot. If anyone has an Nguage and can read temps in any gear in 90-95 plus please share info.

 

[arsenalrocks]

tech pack did 2 track days this past weekend

I found even without a cooler if you air cool the tranny between the sessions say using a leaf blower, it will hold up close to 18-20 mins.

the 2nd day it was cooler 69F air temp with blowing wind over 30mph, only limped once on the last half of the last lap

 

[montreal ponies]

tech pack did 2 track days this past weekend

I found even without a cooler if you air cool the tranny between the sessions say using a leaf blower, it will hold up close to 18-20 mins.

the 2nd day it was cooler 69F air temp with blowing wind over 30mph, only limped once on the last half of the last lap

Are you planning on bringing in your car to the dealership to have it lookked at ?

 

[Tank]

I found even without a cooler if you air cool the tranny between the sessions say using a leaf blower, it will hold up close to 18-20 mins

Was that an FP leaf blower- might void warranty otherwise....

WTF FP, how do those pictures play in the press when an owner needs to use a friggen leaf blower on a Shelby GT350

Thanks for sharing your experiences arsenalrocks.

 

[arsenalrocks]

Are you planning on bringing in your car to the dealership to have it lookked at ?

no, but I did call FP to let me know us base+tech owners need their OEM solution ASAP.

 

[arsenalrocks]

let me be a little specific:

-no limp mode first session of the day(low temp in the morning)
-no limp mode first session after lunch(long lunch break)
-no limp mode second day(68F air temp with 30-50mph wind constant, ppl had to fold away their tent that type of wind)

limp mode only happens during the second sessions 16-18mins in, due to not enough time to bring down the temp in between.

the car was a rock star, got a lot of attentions from seasonsed instructors, people in GT3, C7 came and check it out, said they want to buy one. really wish it comes with the cooler tho.

I wouldn't be embarassed to use the leaf blower if i have to, even F1 uses blowers to cool the brakes and engines as soon as it comes into the pits. my second day expereince should help some here wondering if they can take their base/tech to track, the answer is mostly yes if you can find a way to cool the tranny yourself in between sessions.

Was that an FP leaf blower- might void warranty otherwise....

WTF FP, how do those pictures play in the press when an owner needs to use a friggen leaf blower on a Shelby GT350

Thanks for sharing your experiences arsenalrocks.

 

[gearhead999s]

let me be a little specific:

-no limp mode first session of the day(low temp in the morning)
-no limp mode first session after lunch(long lunch break)
-no limp mode second day(68F air temp with 30-50mph wind constant, ppl had to fold away their tent that type of wind)

limp mode only happens during the second sessions 16-18mins in, due to not enough time to bring down the temp in between.

the car was a rock star, got a lot of attentions from seasonsed instructors, people in GT3, C7 came and check it out, said they want to buy one. really wish it comes with the cooler tho.

I wouldn't be embarassed to use the leaf blower if i have to, even F1 uses blowers to cool the brakes and engines as soon as it comes into the pits. my second day expereince should help some here wondering if they can take their base/tech to track, the answer is mostly yes if you can find a way to cool the tranny yourself in between sessions.

What lap times were you running?

 

[arsenalrocks]

not too sure, but I(mostly the car) passed everyone expect a e90 m3

7500rpm mostly in 3-4 gears.

What lap times were you running?

 

[Tank]

let me be a little specific:

Not a dig on you arsenalrocks, just the situation.
Thanks for the additional info

 

[stshoo]

69F? Where was your track day this weekend, Alaska? ;)

tech pack did 2 track days this past weekend

I found even without a cooler if you air cool the tranny between the sessions say using a leaf blower, it will hold up close to 18-20 mins.

the 2nd day it was cooler 69F air temp with blowing wind over 30mph, only limped once on the last half of the last lap

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