2015 Focus will not start - multiple Malfunction messages

[glennkelly]

Hi, I wonder if anyone knows what is causing my Focus Titanium X 2.0 Auto not to start.

The car has been left standing for 6 weeks as I have been away, and when I tried to start the car, it wouldn't turn over, but gave the following errors ( see attached images) 
Headlamp Malfunction - service Required
Steering Assist malfunction - service Required
BLIS Malfunction - service Required
Cross Traffic malfunction - Service Required
Emergency Assistance malfunction

 

I had the AA come out and he disconnected the battery and ran a test - but the car wouldn't start. After a further 10 minutes it did start but was in limp home mode - no power.
He ran a scan on the computer and found the following fault code/s:
System : Engine control 1 - ZZV / Diesel EDC/CR DCM3.5 V4P060400 - Engine control unit. Error Message : Malfunction.

I managed to drive to the dealer and they had the car overnight and cleared all the error codes and charged the battery, and all seemed fine. I collected the car and thought all was OK....Until the following morning. The same fault happened. However this time after 10 minutes the car then started, so I got it down to the dealer again and they currently have it.

Has anyone seen this before? I have searched the web but cannot find anything.

My first thought was battery as the car was standing for 6 weeks and the temperature has dropped, but Im not sure. Or consul it be a borked ECU?

 

Any ideas?
Thanks!

[suddste]

It sounds like a communications network fault. Maybe you could check wiring harnesses etc. I had a similar issue where I disconnected the EGR and it caused other faults such as steering assistance and ABS. Not related to EGR at all

What is your engine, this happened on a 1.5TDCi.

I hope this helps. 

[Stoney871]

I'd say 100% battery problem.
Some batteries will draw down to the point where charging won't help.
A new battery and a check for parasitic power drains are most likely the answers.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[james_60]

I 2nd the battery Theory.

Jamie

[glennkelly]

Thanks for the replies guys. I too am hoping its battery  - I will update once I hear back from the dealer. I checked my warranty on the car - it expires in January so just in the nick of time!

[glennkelly]

4 hours ago, suddste said:

It sounds like a communications network fault. Maybe you could check wiring harnesses etc. I had a similar issue where I disconnected the EGR and it caused other faults such as steering assistance and ABS. Not related to EGR at all

What is your engine, this happened on a 1.5TDCi.

I hope this helps. 

Hi, 

I have the 2.0TDCI

[glennkelly]

Car update:

Dealer rang to say that they have run a PCM UPDATE ON CONTROL UNIT (software)
ABS Module update. (?? whatever that is)
Dealer is keeping car for another 2 days to be sure all ok before handing back to me, so fingers crossed!

[iantt]

ive had simular faults on brand new focuses, and that was down to poor connection at the large connector to the left of the body control module.

[glennkelly]

2 minutes ago, iantt said:

ive had simular faults on brand new focuses, and that was down to poor connection at the large connector to the left of the body control module.

Same errors and no starting or "similar" but not exactly the same?

[iantt]

same errors but did start ok. but as yours has been stood it could be damp getting in to a connector somewhere. and dont laugh at this one but could even be a washer pump fault.

[glennkelly]

Update:

Was told today that the fault has been identified as an Issue caused by a Airbag Restraints Module.

A short circuit apparently throws the ECU into a fit and prevents the car from starting and throws up other errors. Part on order so should get resolved Thursday or Friday. See what it is in this You Tube Video. I'll update again when I hear from the garage.

n 

[FatHead1979]

Fingers crossed mate, keep us posted.

[glennkelly]

So the car had a replacement Restraint Module. Picked the car up yesterday afternoon. All was well. Left the car an hour, and started fine. Left teh car for another 4 hours by which time it was -1 dogs outside and car didn't start. Same issue.

Same again this morning.It eventually started after 10 minutes, so its back at the garage.

It seems that when the temperature is warm(isa) it behaves. When cold it misbehaves.

[andypsp]

get ford to put you a new battery on and it will solve all the problems. when i 1st had my car was just over 2yrs old wouldn`t start the 2nd day of haveing it.ford had it in for 2days did all software updates etc, but found that bad cells in the batt were causeing the probs. at the time ford batts were only coverd with 1yr but now they are 3yrs same as the rest of the car parts. 

[glennkelly]

2 hours ago, andypsp said:

get ford to put you a new battery on and it will solve all the problems. when i 1st had my car was just over 2yrs old wouldn`t start the 2nd day of haveing it.ford had it in for 2days did all software updates etc, but found that bad cells in the batt were causeing the probs. at the time ford batts were only coverd with 1yr but now they are 3yrs same as the rest of the car parts. 

Thanks andypsp - I will push for the battery. I really do hope its something as simple as that. Else I am worried how I stand with my warranty, seeing as its a car from Ford Direct purchased in January 2016 and which the manufacturer warranty ends in March. If they cant identify the fault - I need to find out what my rights are.

[glennkelly]

On 10/12/2017 at 8:27 AM, andypsp said:

get ford to put you a new battery on and it will solve all the problems. when i 1st had my car was just over 2yrs old wouldn`t start the 2nd day of haveing it.ford had it in for 2days did all software updates etc, but found that bad cells in the batt were causeing the probs. at the time ford batts were only coverd with 1yr but now they are 3yrs same as the rest of the car parts. 

Thanks andypsp - I will push for the battery. I really do hope its something as simple as that. Else I am worried how I stand with my warranty, seeing as its a car from Ford Direct purchased in January 2016 and which the manufacturer warranty ends in March. If they cant identify the fault - I need to find out what my rights are.

[glennkelly]

UPDATE:

I spoke to not only the dealership that sold me the car today but also to the tech who is working on the car at my local Ford Dealer.

The tech named Gary who is working on my car and he said 100% its not the battery. If it was the issue would happen every time. He said its one of 30 modules on the “Canbus” which is faulty and he is having problems finding which one. So much so that he is talking to Ford's Technical people as he can replicate the issue when cold, and he said that the issue is really strange. 
Ive given them until Friday to resolve the issue.
The dealer I purchased from phoned me today following an email and thus far have been good. They said in fairness to them I need to get the car to them for their tech to look at then take it from there should I need to reject the car.

My understanding is that I am within my rights to give a Ford Dealership ample time to resolve the fault, If the fault cannot be resolved, then I am entitled to a refund of the vehicle less wear and tear, or a like for like replacement vehicle.
 

I just want my own car back! Should I be hopeful I will get it resolved?

 

[glennkelly]

Many of the below videos relate to the US Ford Focus, but they are very Very similar and relate to a faulty TCM Module. I wonder if this would be the case with my UK Focus?

 

TCM Module (Transmission Control Module) : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma99lOynM1g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9i71GOdeJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6BaR6lVp5k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFc8x2aa0Kc

 

 

[glennkelly]

On 10/12/2017 at 8:27 AM, andypsp said:

get ford to put you a new battery on and it will solve all the problems. when i 1st had my car was just over 2yrs old wouldn`t start the 2nd day of haveing it.ford had it in for 2days did all software updates etc, but found that bad cells in the batt were causeing the probs. at the time ford batts were only coverd with 1yr but now they are 3yrs same as the rest of the car parts. 

I asked for a new battery today and they said that the starting fault would happen every time if it were a duff battery - however I found this on web:

A few years ago the original battery on my Focus was dying AND the alternator was getting a little tired, I started to progressively get the "steering assist malfunction" message more often, especially when the car has been stood for longer than 12 hours or it was particularly cold (both situation would have caused my battery charge to be lower).  A new battery fixed the issue and I've not seen the error message again in the 2 years since the battery was replaced.

I have more than one error message - and getting more and more frustrated and confused!

[FatHead1979]

27 minutes ago, glennkelly said:

I asked for a new battery today and they said that the starting fault would happen every time if it were a duff battery - however I found this on web:

A few years ago the original battery on my Focus was dying AND the alternator was getting a little tired, I started to progressively get the "steering assist malfunction" message more often, especially when the car has been stood for longer than 12 hours or it was particularly cold (both situation would have caused my battery charge to be lower).  A new battery fixed the issue and I've not seen the error message again in the 2 years since the battery was replaced.

I have more than one error message - and getting more and more frustrated and confused!

That was me! lol

Joking aside, if they don't think it's the battery that's at fault, what do they think the root cause is?

[iantt]

have they checked the washer pump? i wasnt joking when i mentioned it in an earlier post.

[glennkelly]

2 hours ago, iantt said:

have they checked the washer pump? i wasnt joking when i mentioned it in an earlier post.

No - I will mention it, though I don't understand how a washer pump that I know works would cause the problem. Im not disputing you - just cant get my head around it. I appreciate teh suggestion too. I will ask

 

3 hours ago, 1979Damian said:

That was me! lol

Joking aside, if they don't think it's the battery that's at fault, what do they think the root cause is?

They simply don't know. All they said its one of 30 modules!!

[glennkelly]

At dealer. A relay module was changed yesterday and it’s -5° and going to do a cold start test on it. 

So they changed the relay and found Missing earth from BCMi. They have sent the data to Ford technical. The chief mechanics had the same fault or similar last week on another vehicle. So they are talking to Ford and he said he seems hopeful that this is the fault and need to get them Ford To pay for a new one under warranty. The car he changed it on was out of warranty but cost £500 to fix. It’s 100% not battery. So I just have to wait. He said he will update me later today.

[andypsp]

1 hour ago, glennkelly said:

At dealer. A relay module was changed yesterday and it’s -5° and going to do a cold start test on it. 

So they changed the relay and found Missing earth from BCMi. They have sent the data to Ford technical. The chief mechanics had the same fault or similar last week on another vehicle. So they are talking to Ford and he said he seems hopeful that this is the fault and need to get them Ford To pay for a new one under warranty. The car he changed it on was out of warranty but cost £500 to fix. It’s 100% not battery. So I just have to wait. He said he will update me later today.

good news in your update, but seems a bit strange that after all the problems that you have never had before go wrong with the car, a missing earth should all of a sudden give you lots of trouble. fingers crossed it will be all fine once you get it back. and you can keep motoring happily ever after 

[iantt]

doesnt sound right to me. but good luck if it fixes it.