2005 x-type. I've had it for 12 years and a few times I would get the gear box fault message when driving in really heavy rain, etc -- but it would always just fix itself after turning the car off or unhooking the battery. This new problem I'm needing help with. Started the car and while still sitting idle, I noticed small amount of smoke coming from under the dash near where steering column or brake pedal is, and then the gear box fault message popped up. It was definitely electrical as the smell gave it away.

I turned the car off, let it sit for a while, started it back up....no smoke this time but gear box fault message was on and if I put it in gear it actually was in "fault" (one gear). Turns out Fuse #11 (auto transmission control module) was blown. I replaced Fuse #11, started the car again.......and again a small amount of smoke and the fuse just blew again.

Anyone ever seen this before. This happened right after I had driven in a torrential downpour.

 

I forgot to mention, it is Fuse #11 in the engine compartment, not the fusebox in the passenger compartment near where the smoke is coming from. Thanks

 

TCM maybe?

Post by a member = It seems this only tend to happen when the car get wet.... car wash.... raining..... check the sunroof drains on the driver side. There is a tube that comes off there and allows water to drain down the "A" pillar trim and onto the TCM (located behind the drivers kick panel.

 

Thanks for the info. That sounds like what it may be. Smoke/electrical burn smell is coming from where you say the TCM is located behind the passenger compartment fuse box. So you think the TCM is wet inside and that is the root cause? Makes sense since that fuse will blow as soon as I turn the ignition on. Thanks again, I will try that.