Hey all, great to find this forum. Thought I would post this to see if anyone has any insights as the dealer technicians are really struggling to replicate it or work out what is wrong. It's now being sent higher up the Ford food chain as I'm at my wits end!

The ST is just over a year old, with only 4000miles on the clock, yet I'm having a constant issue with intermittent starting. You can see from this video/image I get the engine malfunction light and battery light when it happens. The full dash comes on but the engine won't fire and and just hear this whirring noise from the rear.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/35i8bislo08ekqf/IMG_0573.MOV?dl=0

So far it seems to happen after going down any bumpy/country roads, then stopping the car and trying to restart. It feels like some sensor is triggered by accident or a lead comes loose as I don't seem to be able to replicate it on a cold start.

• AA called out 3 times, had to bump start the car each time. Drove straight to the dealers and then it starts fine (typical)
• Happened 3 other times but restarted after 30min

I have no confidence in driving the car any more and it's currently been in the dealers for 10 days 🤬

Mmmm,

Well, it can't be the key detector because it would be saying "Key-free key not in vehicle"

It can't be the ignition switch because it either works or it doesn't and you're getting ignition

Have you got a Ghost immobiliser? That could be playing up.

Failing that, it could be a dodgy clutch switch not sensing the pedal depressed enough to start.

Other than that, God knows, sorry

Have they checked the starter motor electrical connections? Getting a few come loose and causes intermittent non start with no fault codes or warning messages on the dash?

On 9/7/2021 at 7:27 PM, MasterTechTip said:

Have they checked the starter motor electrical connections?

Many years ago, well back in 1983 to be exact my Orion would intemittently not crank. By chance I found if I held the key in the start position and slamed the door it would start !

It turned out to be a loose wire on the starter soleinoid - The car was still under warranty so the garage found the fault and fixed it, but they did laugh when I told them  you have to slam the door to start it 🤣

I'm hoping/assuming they could have checked the starter motor electrical connections, but will check with the technician anyway 👍