Electrical Gremlin, Instrument Cluster?

[focussed dave]

Hi All,

I am having some intermittent issues with my 2006 focus estate 1.6 TDCI, that I can't seem to get to the bottom of. I've already paid a mechanic and he couldn't diagnose it, so I was hoping that someone else on here has had the same issue and managed to pinpoint and resolve it.

When driving (or even when stationary) I get a load of lights on the dash, and the centre display shows ----. I lose any response from the throttle, this seems to last anything from a brief 'blip' (almost like someone flicked the engine off and back on) or sometimes it's a few minutes before the lights go off and I can use the car again.

I've had an auto electrician look at it and he got the following codes back

U0115 - lost communication with the instrument panel cluster control module

P1935 - brake switch/sensor fail

P193B - throttle peddle signal

P1936 - clutch switch / sensor signal

P0341 - camshaft position sensor A circuit range / performance (bank 1 or single sensor)

P1622 immobiliser ID does not match.

The auto electrian didn't seem keen on investigating further, so I took it into a local garage (not ford, but has a good reputation locally) and he's put a few hours diagnostics into it, trying to force the car into replicating it my messing with various connections but he couldn't narrow it down.

Looking around on the Internet, I can see that the instrument panel on the focus has caused many issues, but I can't find any that exactly match what I am experiencing.

I am running out of ideas and I'm hesitant towards paying another mechanic to make absolutely no progress! I've attached a photo of the dash taken when it drops out.

Has anyone had any similar experience?

Thanks

Dave

[simcor]

I would be checking the C90 connector in your engine fusebox as that can cause loss of communications. All your faults are down to a loss of communication between the PCM and HEC. The other possible problem is a faulty HEC a the clusters are known to become defective over time. They in my opinion are the two most likely culprits.

[focussed dave]

Cheers Simon, that gives me something else to look into. :)

[Stoney871]

Check all connectors are firmly seated on the footwell fusebox.

Sometimes a careless foot in the footwell can cause connectors to get knocked.

[focussed dave]

Thanks for the suggestion Clive. Can safely say that those have been checked a few times!

Both the mechanic that I've paid and the green flag recovery guy both went straight for that. Wish it was that simple!

[Stoney871]

Fair do's.

Earthing points ok?

[focussed dave]

Apparently so (So I'm told!)

[Stoney871]

At least 2 of your faults are linked to the cluster.

Have you thought of sending it away for diagnostics by specialists?

This company is highly recommended-

http://www.clusterrepairsuk.co.uk/repair/make/ford?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=ford%20focus%20dash%20repair&utm_content=Ford&utm_campaign=CRManufacturerKeywords

[focussed dave]

I have considered getting the cluster looked at. There's a place local to me that have been recommended (http://www.camcoautomotive.com) although I'm not sure they are specialist, or more of a good auto electrician.

I think getting the cluster checked is probably the way forward, but I'm loathed to pay out more than I already have if it's not the cluster causing the issue.

[Stoney871]

Very true, it can become very expensive trying to pin down an electrical fault.

[focussed dave]

I'm starting to notice, already almost £200 down and still none the wiser!

Going to have to look at the instrument cluster I think. I will come back and update if/when I get to the bottom of it.

Thanks both for your suggestions.

Dave

[Stoney871]

Do keep us updated.

[GazNicki]

When I had turbo issues with my Mondeo that a highly rated independent couldn't pin down, I bit the bullet and sent the motor into fords. Not only could they diagnose better than the Indy, but they also did it in half an hour and only charged me half and hours labour. An Indy usually charges by the unit, so a 15min job is charged as an hour.

Needless to say, I had my Indy bang to rights with a print out from Fords and everything was sorted super quick.

I know your issue is different, but I would consider getting Fords to have a look at it as an option.

Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC

[focussed dave]

Afternoon all,

Quick update on this.

I removed the instrument cluster and sent it off for a rebuild. It came back mid week and I refitted it. Upto now it seems to be working perfectly.

I've used the car for a few days and upto now it's not skipped a beat. Before the cluster was rebuilt I could lost guarentee that the car would drop out, even on short journeys.

Hopefully it was the instrument cluster that was causing the issue, early signs certainly seem to indicate that.

Thanks for all your advice.