Code P07A3, Transmission Issues?

TMREGER2022

MEMBER
2017 FORD FOCUS
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
234,000 MILES

I just purchased the car listed above with the P07A3 code. It’s a 2.0L Auto with the DPS6 transmission. For whatever reason, the car will shift into first, but when shifting to second will kick into neutral and show “Transmission Overheating. Stop Safely and wait 5 minutes” on the display. I also hear a rattling noise whenever I approach the vehicle and when I go to start it. It has a delayed start, not wanting to engage for several seconds. Reverse gear works fine, so I believe my issue is with the clutch itself. I did check the actuators for the forks, and they spring back fine. Thank you for any and all help!

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 AT 7:03 AM

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Error Code P07A3 is defined as Transmission Friction Element A Stuck On. So, what happens is the dual clutch set up has failed and more specifically is the secondary clutch fork actuator or the clutch itself, I would try to replace the secondary clutch fork actuators first to see if that helps and if not, the transmission will need to be removed and the clutch unit replaced. Here is how to replace the actuator which can be done without removing the transmission. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Thursday, April 20th, 2023 AT 8:42 AM

TMREGER2022

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11 POSTS

Replacing the actuator worked! Thank you so much for all the help! I'll let you know the progress in the upcoming weeks of how it's doing. So far, so good! Thanks again and take care!

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Friday, April 28th, 2023 AT 7:28 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 11:21 AM

TMREGER2022

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11 POSTS

Unfortunately, after some driving, the code has come back on, and the transmission is shifting erratically. Looks like I’m going to have to drop the transmission after all. Would you all have diagrams for that? I know it’s going to be quite the task.

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Saturday, May 6th, 2023 AT 4:13 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Okay, it sounds like the clutch itself is bad, here are the instructions on how to remove the transmission. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Sunday, May 7th, 2023 AT 11:16 AM

TMREGER2022

MEMBER
11 POSTS

Alrighty, sorry about the delay in response, but we dropped the transmission and discovered that the clutch had already been replaced! However, it looked like the housing was never cleaned and sadly, clutch fork A seized up. I have since purchased a new one, installed it, reset the clutch and have installed it back on the vehicle. I still have yet to connect everything, but should be able to do that Monday and finally get this thing on the road!

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Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 8:07 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Yep, that is a common problem, the clutch fork must be serviced to operate correctly, it looks like you are on your way to getting the problem fixed. Thank you for the images and getting back to us.

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Monday, July 24th, 2023 AT 10:16 AM