Hi, I've searched the forum and found a few members who had similar problems albeit with other models but it seems no one replied to them so I'm not sure if my search parameters restricted replies or no one knows the causes or possible causes.

Nevertheless, my Focus 1.6LX 2005 MKI is starting to do this more often and I bet it sod's law that it will do it during the MOT that's due in a month's time! I'm assuming it's a failure?

Most of the time it behaves itself but it now seems that during most journeys the speedometer just drops to zero for a while before it perks up again. I usually become aware of it first when I can feel some performance issue from the engine such as a slight judder, I then look down at the speedometer and see it's at zero. Also and sometimes while this is happening, the digital milometer display is replaced with just dashes.

It's also sod's law when this happens when I'm on a stretch of road that has an average speed check and I'm in front of everyone!

Has anyone else had this issue or know what the issue is? Could it be a digital speed sensor and if so is that easily replaced by a DIYer?

Thanks very much and hope you can help.

Hi David,

Yes it's the vehicle speed sensor on the way out in the gearbox.

Very common on MK1s, but mainly on early one's, but it is quite old now.

Make sure you use penetrating oil on the pin for a few days before trying to remove as they can seize in.

Thank you very much for that advice, most helpful.

I haven't searched websites like YouTube yet but do you know of any tutorials on how to do this and is it something that should be straight forward without the need for any specialist tools?

I'm going to have a look to find out just how much these sensors cost.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

It's really simple, providing the pin isn't seized. Located just above where N/S driveshaft leaves gearbox (towards bulkhead), it's literally just held in with a pin.

Disconnect connector

Pull pin with pliers, buy a new pin just in case it's seized, you could drill out old one and fit new one. 

Remove sensor

Refit 

Once again, thanks very much, this is very helpful.

I've also manged to find another post about this as well.

I see what you mean about using penetrating oil and leaving it for a few days!

It's simple but access and removal looks like it could be a real nightmare and risky judging by other comments and video tutorials on YouTube.

Because I live in the land of soddin' typical I bet it won't be easy for me. I wonder how much a garage will charge for the labour?

Good news and with much relief, I can see the part isn't expensive. The only problem is that I'm confused about with which one to get, I can never get my head around these descriptions because they never fit mine. Furthermore, every time I search using the reg plate it states it's an MK2. Mine has the old style dashboard so not sure if there are any MK2s out there that have them, also the body styling looks like a MK1 too.

Sorry to be a pain and such a noob but do you know (or anybody) how I am supposed to match the descriptions together?

As stated, my model is a 1.6LX 2005 and here is the list of choices. I think many share the same parts anyway but noticed others are three times the price even though they're  1.6 so not sure what's going on there.

I'm guessing mine's the top one FORD 1.6 16V 100 PS | FOCUS (DAW, DBW) FYDB but just don't know especially because I don't know what the abbreviations stand for.

Thank you again.

Does the front of your car look like this? If so it's a facelifted Mk1 (normally referred to as a Mk1.5).

We had a similar problem to you and had the instrument cluster replaced under warranty and I think the VSS too but this didn't fix the problem. It was eventually traced to a chafed loom from the VSS which had been rubbing on the gear linkage. Worth a look before you shell out any cash.

Thanks.

After having a really good search I finally found this example which exactly matches mine in terms of body styling and interior. That's a diesel though and also mine's silver. Even the type of wheels match which is a rarity and as it's the only one I've found that ticks all the boxes.

Trouble is, its year is described as 2003 from the 1998-2004 range. My reg plate is 2005. This is what has confused me and the websites that can search by reg plate. Maybe mine is actually a 2004 model that somehow got shoved onto the next year?

 

Although the ad says it's a Mk1 that's a Mk1.5 like our old one. The clincher is the indicators inside the headlamp units. On the Mk1 they're in the bumper.

You're probably right that yours was old stock.

Re the mot. They do not check the speedo works for mot as they don’t road test a car for mot. They just have to check the speedo is there and visible and the light works in it. Also if mileage is blank they put unreadable or something like that.  The complete mot manual is on the govt website so we can all see what the rules are. Sometimes the mot testers get it wrong, eg. He didn’t know he could not fail my brothers 2007 fiesta diesel for having engine management light on. As car is pre-2008 Diesel engine management light is not part of the test.

Ah okay, so basically it seems I should regard mine as a MK1 when looking for spare parts because MK1.5 doesn't seem to be recognised officially.

Is the difference between MK1 and MK1.5 simply a slight facelift?

I think I've now narrowed my model down to a 1.6 16v (74/100) (1998-2004) when choosing the sensor. In the Ford manual, my engine is classed as a 1.6 l Zetec-SE 16V.

It's certainly not simple and I should not search for parts by reg plate from now on.

Thanks very much.
 

Thanks for that Isetta, now I know I shouldn't have to stress myself trying to get it fixed before the MOT, I can put it on the back burner  if I run out of time to fix it before then.

I'll see if I can download that MOT check list from the government website. Could be useful!

It’s a bit more than a checklist, it’s more of a book, but it is in sections with an index so quite easy to home in on the bits you want. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles.  In the speedo part it says if they do a road test for decelerometer test then they should check speedo. That won’t apply to you , that relates to cars with permanent 4 wheel drive eg Audi TT which can’t be brake tested on the brake roller. My brother had an Audi TT 4wd which needed such a test each year. The brake test is laughable. The decelerometer is a box which measures how far a ball bearing in it rolls forward against a spring when you brake. The mot garage was in a congested busy town area so it would involve going along a very narrow backstreet at about 20 mph and braking hard. No testing for brake balance.