Losing Power

[Grinning Grandad]

Firstly, please accept my apologies if this has been discussed previously. I did google it but kept getting sent to an American web site and I couldn't understand their terminology!

A couple of months ago I purchased a 2006 Fusion Zetec TDCI 1.4 Diesel. My main reason for purchase was I needed good MPG after starting a new job with a considerable commute (mainly motorway miles).

A couple of times I had been driving at about 70mph when these was a sudden loss of power, to about 50mph, and I couldn't go any faster. Each time I managed to make my way to the inside lane but within a few seconds there was a sudden surge and I was back to full speed again.

I recently had reason to drive 350 miles and back, twice within a few days, and I was understandly concerned about the drop in power. As it happened, 4 times on each leg there was a slight 'hiccup' whilst cruising at 70mph where there was a sudden loss of power but only for a millisecond.

I optimistically thought the problem had gone away until today when joining the motorway when at the point of acceleration onto the slip road there was a dramatic loss of power (to about 30mph). I drove onto the hard shoulder but within a few seconds I was suddenly at full power again and I had a trouble free journey home.

I would be interested to hear if this is a common problem or not and if so what the cause may be. I do like the car and love the 61mpg but I don't like the feeling of nervousness every time I drive it.

Thanking you in anticipation.

[jeebowhite]

THis sounds like either an EGR issue, or perhaps a turbo related element.

First question - do you get any error lights?

Second Question - do you have a trip computer?

Third Question - do you have access to a code reader.

If the answer to Q3 is No - click my signature on "Got an error on your car?" read through and I highly recommend you buy yourself a code reader. This will allow you to diagnose a lot of issues on your car and we can assist in fixing them with this information. If you have an android phone, for a fiver you get access to a lot of useful information and its worth every penny.

[Grinning Grandad]

Thank you very much for your reply James.

In answer to the first question No, I didn't notice any error lights.

Question two, Not 100% sure what you mean by this, I have what the handbook calls a 'Tripmeter' which gives MPG, Average Speed, distance to empty etc. Is this the same thing?

As for question 3, I have located the OBD and have taken your advice and purchased a code reader (the usb one from your eBay link), I have also brought the Torque app for my android.

I will try and provide more information when the reader arrives.

Thanks once again

[jeebowhite]

Hi mate yeah that's the trip computer.

Don't forget though that the USB can only be used on the laptop you can't plug it into your phone. The phone will only work with either wifi or more commonly and practiced bluetooth connectors

[jeebowhite]

Mick,

Do you have a link to the device you have bought?

[Grinning Grandad]

Yes, its one I got from your "Got an error on your car" page.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a2758bf50

I got it for the PC connection but as it said it had bluetooth capabilities I thought I would download the Torque app for my phone.

[jeebowhite]

That one is standard USB connection only. So it won't have bluetooth, they do a bluetooth version but it won't get both in the same unit.

Download forscan for your pc and that should do you for diagnostics :-)

[Grinning Grandad]

I thought it was to good to be true at that price! Just downloaded Forscan and the code reader is in the post. Will keep you informed. Thanks again for the advice.

[jeebowhite]

No problem if you need advice on using forscan give me a shout

[Grinning Grandad]

Reader arrived and connected and I downloaded the following information. I'm afraid it doesn't mean that much to me though it looks like it did find one error which may or may not be related to the sudden and temporary loss of power.

The initial screen on connection:

(WARN) [13:46:24.339] Checking WiFi...
(WARN) [13:46:29.346] Checking COM4...
(WARN) [13:46:29.348] Checking COM5...
(WARN) [13:46:29.360] Checking COM6...
(OK) [13:46:29.810] Connection to adapter is established on COM6
(OK) [13:46:29.810] Adapter: ELM327 v1.5
(OK) [13:46:29.937] Connection to vehicle is established
(OK) [13:46:31.088] Vehicle: Ford Fusion Duratorq-Turbo Diesel Common Rail Injection 1.4L 2006 MY, VIN: WF0*********04335
(OK) [13:46:41.460] Found module: PCM - Powertrain Control Module
(WARN) [13:46:41.560] DTCs in PCM: P0562-70
(OK) [13:46:42.447] Found module: OBDII - On Board Diagnostic II
(OK) [13:46:43.939] Found module: IC - Instrument Cluster
(OK) [13:46:44.969] Found module: RCM - Restraint Control Module
(OK) [13:47:08.219] Found module: ABS - Anti-Lock Brake / Traction Control Module

10 minutes later the following line appeared:

(WARN) [13:57:28.507] DTCs in PCM: P0562-60

When I clicked the DTC icon on Forscan it brought up the following:

===PCM DTC P0562-70===
Code: P0562 - System Voltage Low

Status:
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC
- Test not complete

Module: Powertrain Control Module

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

System Voltage Low

This DTC may be caused by :

Loose/poor battery connections at the battery and engine block.

Charging system fault.

Discharged or faulty battery.

Incorrect or low system voltage

Faulty or damaged PCM.

===END PCM DTC P0562-70===

===OBDII DTC None===
Successfull DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: On Board Diagnostic II

===END OBDII DTC None===

===IC DTC None===
Successfull DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Instrument Cluster

===END IC DTC None===

===RCM DTC None===
Successfull DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Restraint Control Module

===END RCM DTC None===

===ABS DTC None===
Successfull DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Anti-Lock Brake / Traction Control Module

===END ABS DTC None===

[AJRTDDI]

U had a new battery or run it flat recently

[AJRTDDI]

If it was my car I'd do ecu reset and unconnected the battery. If that didn't work I'd clean out the Egr and inlet manifold and go for a good blast.

[jeebowhite]

Looks like a battery issue for sure. As mentioned it's handy to know if it's gone flat, the battery likely will need replacing, but start off checking the secure connection on the battery at both terminals and the clamp is right at the bottom of the post.

A decent new battery will cost around 60 quid and given the lack of other error codes it is worth exploring. The battery voltage isn't too low or too high, as such it seems the battery is not putting put enough amps out

[Grinning Grandad]

Thaks for the replies Antony & James, a new battery isn't a bad idea at this time of year anyhow so I will do that and see what happens.

Incidentally it happend again this morning on my way to work and as it was dark it was easier to notice that some lights DID illuminate on my dashboard. I can't recall which ones in particular as it happened so quickly but the orange engine block was certainly one of them.

I will connect my code reader when I get home and see if anything has been recorded.

[jeebowhite]

Go into the test menu and you will see the leds come on or just keep flicking from zero to two. That way you might remember the lights that came up