Haynes Autofix

[south_bound]

Last time I looked I couldn't find a Haynes Manual for the Mk 4 Focus.  Now I see that Haynes have replaced the traditional manual for a kind of online system for recently released cars eg. https://haynes.com/en-gb/ford/focus/2018-20-diesel-452517 covers my car, which seems to include sections on understanding fault codes and support for diagnostics.  Has anyone used one of these and are they useful?  I does seem now that you can't do much without reading the fault code and then trial and error to find the actual fault, ideally starting with the lowest cost components.  The Ford handbook is pretty crap for anything more than opening the bonnet and checking the oil, so I am thinking of getting something like this to supplement the information I already have from Ford.  Anyone able to recommended any other source of technical information available to non professionals?

[unofix]

At the very least you need to have a laptop with FORScan software and a good ELM327 modified lead to connect to the OBDII port. With out these you will get knowhere on a modern Ford.

FORScan:  https://forscan.org/download.html.

ELM327 lead:  https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.com/USB_Modified_with_switch_ELM327/p4541936_17045457.aspx

[south_bound]

1 hour ago, unofix said:

At the very least you need to have a laptop with FORScan software and a good ELM327 modified lead to connect to the OBDII port. With out these you will get knowhere on a modern Ford.

FORScan:  https://forscan.org/download.html.

ELM327 lead:  https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.com/USB_Modified_with_switch_ELM327/p4541936_17045457.aspx

 

Agreed, but then you need to know what to do when you get those codes - further investigation, access to sensors, changing mechanical parts...  None of that is easy if you are not familiar with working on the car and that is what I used the Haynes Manual for in the past.  Now they just do the Autofix guide so wondering how it stacks up. 

[TomsFocus]

Can't remember the last time I used a Haynes manual for fault diagnosis or repair tbh.  Online guides, forums and Youtube videos generally cover everything, and in much better detail.  The Haynes suggestion for replacing the DPF on the Mk2 required half of the car to be taken apart (radiator out etc!), didn't take a genius to work out how that could be overcome and simplified (clearly, as I managed it!  ).

[Tizer]

Fault codes usually just give you a clue as to where to start looking for a fault. The best thing that you could do is to get set up with FORScan on a phone with a wireless adaptor and do Live Monitoring of as many relevant parameters as you have time for and keep a record of the results so that you can compare them to the readings you get when something goes wrong.

You can do the same with a Laptop if you don't mind going about your business with a Laptop on the front seat and a cable over your legs.

[unofix]

In the good old days (Escort Mk1 and Mk2) Haynes workshop manuals used to have a good wiring schematic in the back which I used a lot.

Oh how I would love to have the full wiring schematic of my Focus Mk4, but I've a better chance of getting a pair of £50 printing plates from the Bank of England !!

[south_bound]

OK thanks all.  The consensus seems to be that a code reader and online resources (first stop for me would be this forum :)) would do the same or better job.