Focus grief

[Bren]

My sister has an 03 plare focus tdci. It has the issue with the instrument cluster being faulty - lots of idiot lights on, car locks and unlocks etc.

 

It now cuts out - no stuttering, it just dies but restarts immediately.

 

The garage that generally work on it are unwilling to get involved.

 

I thought it may have been fuel related but it doesn't stutter - it just cuts out. Garage seem certain fault is electrical.

 

Car has had a fair chunk spent on it recently- it would be a shame to weigh it in if the fault can be fixed.

 

 

Any ideas?

[Slartibartfast]

Damaged wiring cluster somewhere?

[steveo3002]

worth trying another cluster ?    well known they fail , although not sure if it causes cutting out

 

maybe speed sensor related ?  theyre cheap enough to try 

[Slartibartfast]

Corroded grounding point(s)?

[sierraman]

Second some sort of earthing fault. Not sure the speed sensor fault is on the TDCI?

[scaryoldcortina]

Two unrelated faults? Clocks is an easy swap, for cutting out randomly I always suspect the crank sensor first.

[sierraman]

Or camshaft sensor?

[SiC]

Cam or crank sensor or fuel pump unable to keep up with demand.

 

Clocks probably a different problem.

 

Check earth's too.

[Tamworthbay]

Wouldn't the crank and camshaft sensors chuck up a fault code? I would guess the garage would at least code read for her and give a better idea of the issue or at least narrow it down a little.

[scaryoldcortina]

Dud sensors don't always throw up a code, most often they just make the engine stop randomly.

[sierraman]

If I'm right the injectors take their timing from the cam sensor.

[scaryoldcortina]

Yeah, I wasn't saying it couldn't be the cam sensor, it could well be. I scope stuff before ordering parts and crank sensor faults outnumber cam sensor ones by about 4 to 1, so I start with the crank sensor and work from there.

 

If you don't have a scope to hand, at least the parts aren't expensive.

[Bren]

Is the crank sensor a straight swap?

[SiC]

Some engines will run (but badly) with cam sensor disconnected as long as crank sensor is working. Not sure if the Focus can... SOC?

 

It's how I diagnosed the Scenic I had and ended up selling to Kiltox. It wouldn't stay running. Disconnected the cam sensor and it continued to run along very happily. New sensor returned it back to working service.

[Bren]

My sister has had to stop driving the car because it keeps stopping - vehicles are nearly going into the back of her.

She states that sometimes when she tries to restart it nothing happens - engine does'nt even turn over.

 

Would there be one thing responsible for this? Tax is up at end of month and the bridge is looking likely.

[mrbenn]

Have you had a gander around the earth points?

 

Is the battery healthy?

 

Does it stop at similar times, I.e. Engine temperature, ambient temperature, only when it's raining etc

[saucedoctor]

Per Autodata:

 

Problemo:

 

• Engine cuts out intermittently
• Speedo erratic or not doing owt

Cause:

 

• Poor earth connection in engine bay
• Incorrect signal from VSS

 

Also:

 

Fault: non start,fuse F9 (20 amp blown)

 

Cause :

 

Wiring harness chafing against EGR

[Bren]

I am being told third hand. Sister is clueless, my dad and brother have had a bit of a look. I will try and have a look but the cold is playing hell with my asthma.

 

We suspect car has a history of electrical problems - locks are worn despite having a remote and the fascia looks like it has been out at some point.

[The Moog]

Vss is right pain in arse. Happened on the red one. Took 4 hours for a garage to change it as Seized in there.

[steveo3002]

was worried about my speed sensor...took like 10 mins no bother at all

[Bren]

Would vss cause problems on a diesel model?

 

Apparently my uncle had an 03 petrol model with the same issues - he traded it in.

 

I never realised how prone to electrical issues mk 1 focus are - 52 and 03 being the worst.

 

Worth considering if you are buying one.

[steveo3002]

dunno on the derv ...bits are cheap enough

 

start lashing it with plus gas if you plan to change it 

[Bren]

All the symptoms point to the wiring connections that carry the heavy current.

[saucedoctor]

Would vss cause problems on a diesel model?

 

 

Apparently so, assuming I looked up the right car. 2003 1.8 TDCi 100?

[steveo3002]

if you decide to tackle the speed sensor heres what id do

 

soak the hell out of it with plusgas for a few days

 

get under the car , the pin is hollow , see if you can find a slim nail or screw that fits inside it to stop it crushing , bust off the plastic clip bit on the old sensor to give you more access

 

then make sure you try and get it right first time by using good quality vice grips , not worn out poundland ones , grip the pliers on leaving a slight gap then use a large screwdriver or prybar to lever between the gearbox and pliers to force the pin out , then the sensor just pulls out

 

worst thing you can do is chew the pin up with shitty tools  

[sierraman]

Here's what I'd do. Get a garage to do it. If he fucks it up it his problem. Also he'll have a ramp so can access it properly.

 

Are you sure it's not the cam sensor. That can provide similar symptoms. Only about £15