P288FShift Fork B Actuator Control Circuit Driver Current/Temperature Too High
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Can trigger limp mode
- How the car detects it
- P288F tells that the driver for the shift fork B actuator has crossed its current or temperature limit, after which the TCM curbs or stops the actuator to save the electronics. Public manufacturer criteria for P288F are not available. Ford's DPS6 summary gives the setting: drum B, turned by its own three-phase motor, moves the forks that engage reverse and the gears 2, 4 and 6, and Ford files driver chip faults on that motor under P2836 instead. An actuator that pushes against a seized drum, a fork worn into its groove or a short in the motor lead drives current up, and hot fluid or a hot engine bay adds thermal stress. CARB 13 CCR 1968.2 provides the general basis. In practice the vehicle may refuse reverse or fall back to odd gears only, which makes parking and manoeuvring awkward.
- What you may notice
- Reverse not available, even gears skipped
- Warning lamp and limp mode
- Likely causes
- LikelyShort in the fork B actuator motor or its lead
- PossibleSeized drum B or fork worn into its groove
- RareExcessive fluid or ambient temperature
- RareDriver stage in the TCM failing
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Workshop only · Usually a job for a workshop.Typical cost: €150 – €2,500
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.