Focus 1.6Lx Auto Keeps Cutting Out On Me

[BigBri165]

Hi guys,

New here but have been a long term reader for the amazing technical help here - now hoping somebody can help me!

I have a Focus 1.6LX from 2000 with a tad over 48000 on the clock since new.

A few weeks ago, I was driving along and I lost the instrument cluster for a second or two - the engine didn't die on me and as I say, a second or two later, the cluster came back to life and on we went.

Two days later, the same thing happened - but this time, I had to switch off and switch on again to get the panel back.

Sure enough, it happened again - but this time, the engine died with it...I called out the AA who duly changed the battery (the one that was in was 7 years old so I didn't complain - until they billed me £100!).

While waiting for the AA, I managed to get the car going - this was possible after the multi function warning light: automatic transmission/cooling system went out.

I ran the car OK for about 80 miles after resetting the ECU but then it happened again - just cut out on me and was able to get going again after that light went out.

I had it on a computer to see if any sensors were out but it came back with no faults - so as a matter of cause, I changed the CHT temp sensor a couple of days ago - and it was working fine - again for about 80 miles - and then just cut out on me.

A couple of other points that may or not help - the temp gauge does not take long at all to get to the centre point...probably no longer than 3 or 4 minutes at the most. Once it's there, it never moves - just stays dead central. Heat comes from the heater in those few minutes as well.

Has anybody come across this before and may be able to point me in the right direction please?

I don't mind paying a bit to keep it on the road but I've a feeling that its something pretty simple. The car is in great nick, has been serviced every couple of thousand miles since new and needs to be kept on the road to be honest.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Bri

[artscot79]

there is 3 possible issues here the first is the cluster is faulty and yes this will cause the car to cut out a new cluster fitted and programmed is the only answer second is the vss the speed sensor connected to thegearbox but its not quite the same symptoms the third is faulty gearbox software ive known it on vauxhalls the only way forward is to tke it to a ford dealer and have it checked out im going for the cluster myself home diagnostics wont find these faults

[BigBri165]

there is 3 possible issues here the first is the cluster is faulty and yes this will cause the car to cut out a new cluster fitted and programmed is the only answer second is the vss the speed sensor connected to thegearbox but its not quite the same symptoms the third is faulty gearbox software ive known it on vauxhalls the only way forward is to tke it to a ford dealer and have it checked out im going for the cluster myself home diagnostics wont find these faults

Thanks for that - could you specify what the " cluster" is please?

Sorry - you meant the instrument cluster - me bad!

Ford quoted me £600+ for a new one...ouch!

[artscot79]

Ford had to sell them and fit them at £99 tell ford to remember watchdog on the tv where the issue was high lighted it wont be £600 theyre taking the mick on that one i assure you have the fault diagnosed and if its the cluster tell them whats above

[BigBri165]

Ford had to sell them and fit them at £99 tell ford to remember watchdog on the tv where the issue was high lighted it wont be £600 theyre taking the mick on that one i assure you have the fault diagnosed and if its the cluster tell them whats above

Many thanks for your help - I forgot to mention one thing that could be important - I'm not sure...when I carried out the Ford "dashboard test", I had an error in the dtc section - 262. A bit of research told me that it wasn't important and was a communication error of some sort.

Well...a little more research and - like loads of other Focus owners it seems - removed the cluster and cleaned the PCB with WD40, left it to dry overnight and having put it in this morning, the dtc has cleared - it now says NONE.

One point to note is that fault kept coming up after the battery had been disconnected - it would never clear. So - has the magic WD40 fix found another successful end?

Time will tell I suppose and hopefully I won't find out waiting in a right filter lane like I did yesterday...