How to perform Powershift 6DCT250 (DPS6) adaptive learning

[FORScan]

Powershift 6DCT250 (PS250, DPS6) adaptive learning should be used after a transmission repair or reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Executing the procedure may be also recommended in other cases as mentioned by workshop manual. Besides, some users execute this function to fix some transmission issues (like jerks when shifting gears etc). However, effectiveness for this purpose is not confirmed (feedback is quite inconsistent).

Caution: the procedure is not safe and aborting it may cause problems with transmission operations. So it is strongly recommended to read the article carefully and follow the instruction below. It is also necessary to carefully read and follow instructions displayed by FORScan during the procedure. If the procedure is aborted for some reason, it is necessary to restart it and reach a normal completion.

FORScan does send complex CAN bus commands to the TCM during the procedure. Some adapters may not be able to process it properly. FORScan does check the ability of the adapter. If the check fails, FORScan will refuse to run the procedure. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended to execute items 4.1-4.3 of the instruction below. These operations are safe, so if they fail, it will not cause transmission problems. In the meantime, successful execution will mean the equipment is capable.

The service procedure can be interrupted on any of the steps from #1 to #4. But if you start the step #5, it must be finished. In case of item #5 failure, it is necessary to start again from the item #5 (not necessary to reproduce steps ##1-4).

1. Download and install latest FORScan version from the official site.

2. Install Extended license as described here:

http://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=836

3. Run FORScan, connect to the vehicle, go to the Service section and run the "TCM Adaptive Learning" function.

4. New menu wlll open, it will show 4 options: Perform Transmission Range sensor Adaptive Learning, Verify Transmission Range sensor Adaptive Learning, Perform Shift Drum Adaptive Learning and Perform Clutch Adaptive Learning. First 3 operations are relatively simple and must be used to check the adapter's ability to perform the function. Last one is the most complex.

Steps below should be executed successively. Please go to the item #6 if any of the items failed.

4.1. Perform the Transmission Range sensor Adaptive Learning
4.2. Verify Transmission Range sensor Adaptive Learning
4.3. Perform Shift Drum Adaptive Learning

5. If all the above items were successful, the Clutch Adaptive Learning can be started. Please strongly follow FORScan instructions.
5.1. It is necessary to turn off all the electric load, air conditioner, climate control and so on.
5.2. Somewhere in the middle of the procedure FORScan will ask to press the accelerator pedal to the floor. This operation has to be peformed as the following:
- the engine should be started, warmed up and work at idle
- the transmission lever must be in P (Parking) position
- depress the brake pedal and hold
- press the accelerator pedal to the floor and wait until the engine speed reaches its maximum (about 3800 RPM, but may be different on different engines) and stabilize. If RPM are not stable, please release the accelerator peda, then press again and wait for a stabilization. If RPM are not stable, the procedure may fail with a green clutch flag error
- continue to hold the accelaration pedal pressed to the floor and press OK button in FORScan
- still continue to hold the accelaration pedal pressed to the floor till the moment FORScan will ask to return engine RPM back to idle

This is a critical point of the procedure. If it is not performed properly, the procedure may fail.

5.3. Another point is the end of procedure - it may fail with the error message "Engine Torque Disturbed". This is normal and happens even on the dealership equipment. In case of such failure, FORScan should repeat the last part of the procedure in automated mode (up to 3 times). If it failed anyway, it is necessary to reproduce the procedure. This error may be caused by any engine load. Turning the load off (for example, DRL) may resolve the issue (although sometimes it works opposite, so turning on some loads helped to finalize the procedure successfully)

Update 2018-08-17, experience of user climber (Focus Mk3):
I tried to perform the procedure a lot of times with no luck - all attempts failed with the "Engine Torque Disturbed" error". I tried to enable or disable electrical load to stabilize the engine. At the end I was able to bypass the problem using this trick: disconnect the power steering jack and short 2 contacts in the female part of the connector with an appropriate piece of wire. Do not plug the connector back.

Update 2020-01-01:
Vehicles with 2.0 GDI engine (North America market) have no hydraulic power steering so the trick with disconnecting its jack will not work. One professional mechanic claims that Reset All Adapations service function will help in this case

Update 2020-08-16:
In vehicles with LPG equipment installed, the LPG controller has to be disabled during this procedure. The reason is that LPG controller uses OBDII protocol to read data from PCM. These requests may disturb work of FORScan. Experience shows it may be not enough to just disable it by the button, but fuse has to be removed.

6. In case of problems, please contact FORScan support and provide the problem report and FORScan logs

[bviktr]

Hi,
This function is working with 6DCT450 or only 6DCT250 is available?
Thx, V.

[FORScan]

Only 6DCT250

[ironwolf]

I've been using Forscan along with another machine with an IDS. Once I am able to try an adaptive relearn with the Forscan I will play around with it. I work on a lot of Focus and Fiesta's with shutter concerns and TCM issues. One thing I do stress is make sure your battery is up to power and passes a load test. A bad battery will cause many problems during the tests and may be the root cause of the concern.

[charlie g]

I've been using Forscan along with another machine with an IDS. Once I am able to try an adaptive relearn with the Forscan I will play around with it. I work on a lot of Focus and Fiesta's with shutter concerns and TCM issues. One thing I do stress is make sure your battery is up to power and passes a load test. A bad battery will cause many problems during the tests and may be the root cause of the concern.

as a dealership auto tech, I would highly advise any one doing any reflashing to make sure that you have a low amp battery charger hooked up to the battery and laptop or what ever plugged in to make sure you don't suffer from any loose due to the batteries going low while in progress

[MarvKern]

Hi everyone...i am a new user of Forscan. I have few queries that once I am able to try an adaptive relearn with the Forscan I will play around with it. I work on a lot of Focus and Fiesta's with shutter concerns and TCM issues. One thing I do stress is make sure your battery is up to power and passes a load test. A bad battery will cause many problems during the tests and may be the root cause of the concern.

[Smokey0611]

k iron wolf knows .his stuff Autotech port??? takes my car there a lot.

[lesiu999]

Hi,
Are you planning make adaptive learning for 6DCT450 also ??

[qzem]

I would also like to know if there is plan to enable reset adaptive learning for 6DCT450 MPS6. I am chaning the oil and filter in my gearbox today, and I was looking forward to do this, but just found out I can't...

[stimpy88]

Is this feature ever going to come out for the 6DCT450 version?

I can't say just how critical this feature is needed with these gearboxes.