Hi.

I recently drove my car around the block to avoid the battery from going flat as we are under lockdown at the moment.

As i turned the corner and changed gear, my car immediately cut out out and I pulled over.
The car wont start and I have managed to push it back into my driveway.

Since Sunday (19/04/2020) the car as been acting very strange, see symptoms/timeline below:
- Car died whilst driving
- Wouldnt jump start
- The more I tried to start the car, the less the car was doing... attempted to turn but ultimately it just "clicks"
- Slipped into transport mode
- Got it out of transport mode
- Dash display is solid white
- Error message on dash "Engine Service now"
- My dials now flicker, as do my headlights.

All very strange symptoms, is there anyone able to direct me as to what the problem is or how best to find the problem?

Regards
Rory

The battery is almost certainly knackered I'm afraid.

As Tom said, new battery I reckon. When the batteries start to go on fords they throw up all the lights on the dashboard like a Christmas tree for no reason.


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Well... that's a relief.. i would rather the battery than anything else.

Cheers, stay safe

 

Well... that's a relief.. i would rather the battery than anything else.

Cheers, stay safe
 

Euro car parts it if one near by, think mine was about 40-50 quid pal :)


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12 minutes ago, Monks600 said:

Euro car parts it if one near by, think mine was about 40-50 quid pal 🙂


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Only key workers can use Click & Collect at ECP currently.  You can order batteries for home delivery though.  

Check the lead connections on the starter motor/solenoid before you go to the expense of a new battery, they/one might be loose or corroded.

The FoMoCo batteries they put in these things nowadays have a useful life of about a week. Get a decent Yuasa battery, or a Bosch maybe and you won't look back.

Exactly the same symptoms I had when the FoMoCo battery in my Ranger gave up the ghost last year. It was about the same age as your ST is now as well. 

I agree, all the 'faults' would indicate a dodgy battery, however, why would a low battery cause the car to suddenly 'cut out' when the engine had already started, and the vehicle was traveling?

The battery acts as a filter to the alternator. If the battery is truly knackered it might not be fulfilling this job well enough. 

13 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

The battery acts as a filter to the alternator. If the battery is truly knackered it might not be fulfilling this job well enough. 

I felt stupid before, now I feel really dumb! What kind of 'filter' does the battery act on an alternator? 🙁

6 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

I felt stupid before, now I feel really dumb! What kind of 'filter' does the battery act on an alternator? 🙁

http://www.troubleshooters.com/dont_disconnect_battery.htm

I know that’s about disconnecting the battery but it explains what I meant about being a sort of filter. 
 

Fords seem particularly sensitive to bad batteries so it might have just caused the ecu to error and shutdown. 

2 hours ago, StephenFord said:

I agree, all the 'faults' would indicate a dodgy battery, however, why would a low battery cause the car to suddenly 'cut out' when the engine had already started, and the vehicle was traveling?

That’s exactly what happened to my Ranger when the battery kicked the bucket. 
 

At the time I rationalised it thinking that a certain voltage is required to power all the sensors and the ECU. Without the crank sensor functioning the engine does. 

On 4/21/2020 at 6:28 PM, alexp999 said:

http://www.troubleshooters.com/dont_disconnect_battery.htm

I know that’s about disconnecting the battery but it explains what I meant about being a sort of filter. 
 

Fords seem particularly sensitive to bad batteries so it might have just caused the ecu to error and shutdown. 

Sorry to just jump in the convo you seem to know what you’re  on about .. what would you have to do if the ecu has an error and shut down ? My focus won’t start cos the battery has died cos this vivid-19 and since then got a new battery but just says transmission malfunction /engine malfunction and won’t crank 

Just now, Lomax said:

Sorry to just jump in the convo you seem to know what you’re  on about .. what would you have to do if the ecu has an error and shut down ? My focus won’t start cos the battery has died cos this vivid-19 and since then got a new battery but just says transmission malfunction /engine malfunction and won’t crank 

You need to get a code reader on the car.

It might just need a fault clear and will be ok again, then again if the faults come back you know it's got a problem and the codes should point you towards what it is.

I bought one from euros just a cheap one but keeps saying link error tried it in a polo and worked fine 

On 4/21/2020 at 6:28 PM, alexp999 said:

http://www.troubleshooters.com/dont_disconnect_battery.htm

I know that’s about disconnecting the battery but it explains what I meant about being a sort of filter. 
 

Fords seem particularly sensitive to bad batteries so it might have just caused the ecu to error and shutdown. 

Ok thanks how would I get the ecu running again ? 

Right gents...

So i have. anew battery, everything seems to be working fine except for the engine starting...

lights, radio, entertainment display all work but the engine wont start, no turning or clicking...

I've read that it could be the immobiliser circuit (which sounds like a sh*t show of an effort)
Currently unplugging the positive terminal and hoping for a hard reset... 

Any other trouble shooting will be greatly appreciated

How long has it been stood for? Could it just be that the starter has seized or the crank has sat in a funny position where the position sensor can't read properly and the battery going has caused it to just 'forget' where it was to fire maybe?

I would say give it a shove if you can to free things up a bit and see if it gives anything more. Hell I'd even be half tempted to try a light bump start to move more bits if I'd been able to make sure nothing was seized on and be damaged by moving it.