Zf Dramas - Advice Needed

[Nazgul]

I am having some major dramas with my ZF in my FG F6.

In short the downshift into second (and sometimes other gears) starts with an almighty clunk / bang.

When I say starts with I mean it occurs when changing out of 3rd rather than into second if that makes sense. Ie before the flare and before the revs come back up.

This usually happens when rolling under light brakes to a stop such as in traffic or to a set of lights etc.

It feels like you have ran into something on the road and scares the bejesus out of passengers.

The problems started when the car was tuned in December and somehow the ECU was completely deleted and the shop (Who has been very helpful but as yet unable to solve the issue) had to get someone in to fix it before they could start it or tune it.

Originally I was advised not to tune the box but when I picked it up the box had a tune in it. Upon reverting the tune back to standard box tune the box went crazy slipping and clunking and free revving.

I now suspect the ZF computer was deleted along with the ECU.

So far the box has been rebuilt with upgraded everything but it is actually worse than before.

The shop has been helpful and apologetic but we are now nine months down the track and the thing is still not right.

The latest diagnosis is that the ZF PCM needs to be replaced which apparently costs some ridiculous amount.

Does anyone have any advice on where to go from here?

James

[Rab]

HP or XCal tune on it at the moment?

Did they tune the ZF?

Maybe when they wiped the ZF they loaded a base tune that was incorrect for yours?

If it was me I'd be heading to a shop that's got some experience in ZF tuning and letting them have a play/look - may just be a case of needing the TCM loaded that matches your specs.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'd suggest taking the car to ford and have them flash the correct software part number into the TCM.

Then hope and pray the software issue hasn't cause any damage.

[discostig]

Yeah if it was me, straight to Ford to restore the factory original tune for the specific box. Not sure if they need to wait for the ZF dude to come past the area or not though but sounds like this is what needs to happen to get you back to basics. Then maybe get the tuner to back it up and edit it in to a custom tune after that.

[Rab]

Probably what the tuner should have done as soon as they deleted the ECU/TCM.

Are Ford able to correct just the TCM to stock, or will it restore the complete tune as well? (meaning a trailer ride back to the tuner)

[Ralph Wiggum]

Unsure what Ford's requirement re flashing PCM/TCM seperatly

OP would be able to explain the situation, take the car to ford Flash stock PCM tune into Car, unmarry Xcal get TCM (and Possibly PCM) update carried out and then reflash custom tune to PCM (If required)