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Focus 1.8Tdci (57 Reg) Slow Throttle Response


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Hello everybody. I'm totally new to this forum as I'v only been a Ford owner since last September. Just today I was driving my 57 Reg. Focus 1.8TDCI in slow moving traffic, and all of a sudden when I tried to pull off after stopping there was very slow throttle response with very little power which forced me to slip the clutch constantly to make it to the side of the road. The engine idled normally but when I tried revving up the engine the revs went up really slow and there was very little power. I switched it off, then after a few secs I started again and drove off normally. I managed to arrive home without any problems until it repeated the same thing as I came to pull off again near my home. Can anyone be so kind to help me with this problem please? Thanks and regards.

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Hi, was she smokey at the back?

No I did not notice any smoke. In fact the engine idled normally, but when I pressed the accelerator pedal the revs would go up very slowly.

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Might be MAF related. Did you get any errors / warning lights, and have you checked the DTC codes as per the thread at the top of the forums?

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No I did not notice any smoke. In fact the engine idled normally, but when I pressed the accelerator pedal the revs would go up very slowly.

I would take Jeebowhite's advise on board, but also get someone to check for smoke whilst you gradually rev and let off. The reason is to check for black smoke which could be an indicator of a clogged EGR valve.

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Might be MAF related. Did you get any errors / warning lights, and have you checked the DTC codes as per the thread at the top of the forums?

Thanks for your reply Jeebowhite. I did not get any errors / warning lights, and yes I did check the DTC codes as read at the top, and there were no DTC counts. In fact I have just returned from a diesel repair specialist where he plugged in the diagnostic code scanner/reader and resulted in nil DTC codes. He also checked the engine and told me it's working perfectly. Then after I left and was driving back home......guess what?.....Yes it did it again!!! I pulled to the side switched the engine off, restarted and drove off normally.

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I would take Jeebowhite's advise on board, but also get someone to check for smoke whilst you gradually rev and let off. The reason is to check for black smoke which could be an indicator of a clogged EGR valve.

Thanks for your reply H3lly. I checked for smoke when it did it again today while returning back home from the garage, but there was none.

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sounds like a sensor fault to me. i would guess the throttle sensor (if fitted) but then again i havnt seen many threads regarding the mk2 just the mk1!

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sounds like a sensor fault to me. i would guess the throttle sensor (if fitted) but then again i havnt seen many threads regarding the mk2 just the mk1!

Hi johnH, thanks for your reply. If it were a faulty throttle sensor wouldn't it send no signal at all? I'm asking this as when I press the throttle pedal down to the full, the engine still revs up, but very very slowly (not relative to pedal movement), so the potentiometer is still sending a signal.

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I had the same problem in december, I had a lack of response, and when it did rev up, the engine cut out, not good on a motorway at 70 mph in the outside lane with 2 lanes of traffic to filter through...

My issue was a damaged Fuel Filter, replaced at a cost of £155 (inc diagnostics) and it resolved the issue. The car gave no DTC codes on my trip computer, nor did it show any warning lights (just the normal ones after the engine stalls!)

Check / replace the fuel filter housing yourself (it doesnt hurt to do it, even if it doesnt resolve the problem!)...

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faulty sensors do some random shizzle to cars, especially if its dieing, but like i say i havent heard/seen anything about the mk2 throttle sensors dieing.

jee raises a good point about the fuel filter, when i had an issue with my car he mentioned it, at first i was sceptical but when i carried out a full service and got down to the fuel filter, it was black and coated and most possibly clogged, changed it and now it runs like a dream...there is a thread regarding this i can dig it out if you wish.

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post-20237-0-42869200-1297286371_thumb.jpost-20237-0-88550500-1297286313_thumb.jpost-20237-0-87835000-1297286413_thumb.jpost-20237-0-14246500-1297286471_thumb.j

faulty sensors do some random shizzle to cars, especially if its dieing, but like i say i havent heard/seen anything about the mk2 throttle sensors dieing.

jee raises a good point about the fuel filter, when i had an issue with my car he mentioned it, at first i was sceptical but when i carried out a full service and got down to the fuel filter, it was black and coated and most possibly clogged, changed it and now it runs like a dream...there is a thread regarding this i can dig it out if you wish.

Hi John, I'd appreciate any possible information, thanks. Just to keep everyone updated, today I went to a Ford service Center and spoke to a technical guy about the problem and he immediately pointed out at the accelerator pedal potentiometer. So off I went to my garage, unbolted the pedal from it's place and opened it up. Everything looked normal, no corrosion, dust or anything, but still gave the printed circuit a good clean with pure alcohol and a light abrasive sponge. I then blew off any possible dust/abrasive dust particles and refitted the pedal back in it's place. I started the car and the pedal worked perfectly, but I still have to give it some testing time. The job took me just under an hour to complete. I also took some pics of the pedal even when it was dismantled of which I will post later on for all those interested or with a similar problem. Will keep you informed and my fingers crossed!

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i hope that works for you mate, as regards to last about more info, i take it you want more info about the fuel filter business (correct me if am wrong) just click in my sig about dodgy fuel filter has all the info in there and some pics aswell lol

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Just to keep you updated, I drove my Focus for more than 20 miles today and it seems to be ok! I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that I'm not speaking too soon! Will add updates from time to time. Thanks!

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Another update...drove my car again today and is still ok. I ran the self diagnostic test just for curiosity and was surprised to find 1 DTC code which read 5750. Can anyone explain what this could be please? Could it be because I have removed and unplugged the accelerator pedal for cleaning maybe?

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i read this on a site "A couple of sites listed this: 5750 Accelerator Position Sensor Out of Range" so i would suppose that removing it would bring this up...wait a few days and see if it goes away...obv it will be logged for later, but wont be on dash

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i read this on a site "A couple of sites listed this: 5750 Accelerator Position Sensor Out of Range" so i would suppose that removing it would bring this up...wait a few days and see if it goes away...obv it will be logged for later, but wont be on dash

Cheers John, thanks!

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Hello there, Im having the exact same problem as you.....firstly i thought it was because id filled up with some normal diesel instead of the usual Shell V-power diesel. But it happened again today. It can go for quite long periods were its fine.....for example it hadnt happened for about 3 weeks then all of a sudden it happened today (has happened about 6 times in just over a month). I find that switching the engine off and re-starting does the trick.....and also if i put it in neutral and just keep my foot down on the accelerator once the revs finally reach around the 3000rpm mark it kind of corrects itself and is then ok.

So is this a potentiometer and/or fuel filter issue? i also get no warning lights or error codes. I dont believe its the EGR valve cos theres no smoke. Also it does not cut out whilst driving like Jeebowhite's did, so does this indicate its prob not a fuel filter issue but something to do with throttle sensor/potentiometer?

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Hello there, Im having the exact same problem as you.....firstly i thought it was because id filled up with some normal diesel instead of the usual Shell V-power diesel. But it happened again today. It can go for quite long periods were its fine.....for example it hadnt happened for about 3 weeks then all of a sudden it happened today (has happened about 6 times in just over a month). I find that switching the engine off and re-starting does the trick.....and also if i put it in neutral and just keep my foot down on the accelerator once the revs finally reach around the 3000rpm mark it kind of corrects itself and is then ok.

So is this a potentiometer and/or fuel filter issue? i also get no warning lights or error codes. I dont believe its the EGR valve cos theres no smoke. Also it does not cut out whilst driving like Jeebowhite's did, so does this indicate its prob not a fuel filter issue but something to do with throttle sensor/potentiometer?

Hi APJ, Well what I can tell you is that so far my car hasn't done it since I dismantled the pedal potentiometer and cleaned it as I have explained in one of my previous posts. Mine didn't give any warning lights or error codes before either, but on the other hand mine didn't correct itself after I revved it up to 4000rpm. What I can suggest is that you have a go by cleaning the pedal potentiometer first and see what happens, it's not a difficult job to do apart from the awkward task of unbolting/bolting the 3 nuts that secure the pedal. Good luck!

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Ok, glad to hear your car is so far ok since you cleaned the pedal potentiometer...i might well try and give it a clean myself altho im not particularly mechanically minded and would probably struggle. Im having the CAM belt changed in a couple of weeks at my local Ford garage, so might just mention it to them and see what they say. Maybe they'd be able to have a look at the pedal potentiometer.

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Ok, glad to hear your car is so far ok since you cleaned the pedal potentiometer...i might well try and give it a clean myself altho im not particularly mechanically minded and would probably struggle. Im having the CAM belt changed in a couple of weeks at my local Ford garage, so might just mention it to them and see what they say. Maybe they'd be able to have a look at the pedal potentiometer.

Very well, but I can assure you that it's not a difficult task to do, and most probably the folks at the Ford garage won't bother to dismantle the pedal pot themselves, they might say that it's not a servicable part and suggest that you replace it with a new one. If so I would suggest you have go before commiting yourself to change the part, there's no harm in trying. Whatever the outcome I'd appreciate if you keep me informed. Thanks!

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Just to keep all those interested in this matter up to date, the problem has not occured again since I've cleaned the throttle potentiometer.

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im still having the same problem with mine.....seems like from reading various posts this type of loss of power is either

1. Sticky ERG valve

2. Dodgy throttle potentiometer sensor

3. Clogged Fuel Filter

4. Dodgy Camshaft Position Sensor

Today i experienced the loss of power in 2nd gear (this is the first time ive experienced it in 2nd gear, ususally happens in 1st as i go to pull away). I just need it to get through one more week..then its in to the local Ford garage for its CAM belt change. I will tell them about the issues ive been having and see what they say

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Where is this throttle potentiometer sensor located? I was going to change my fuel filter and clean the trottle body too. Mine doesn't have the same symptoms but can be a bit sluggish when cold. It's mainly part of my preventative maintenance list of things to do. :)

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does anyone know how much it would cost to get Ford to stick a new fuel filter in for me? wondering if i should get them to do that as their gona be putting a new CAM belt on anyway.

H3lly im not exactly sure where the Throttle Potentionmeter is located but i found this guide which might be helpful

http://myfordfocus.com/how-to/65mm.htm

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