Engine malfunction reduced acceleration

[Jen18]

Hi, was hoping someone can shed some light. For a few weeks now while I've been driving the engine malfunction message has been coming on the dashboard followed by reduced acceleration message. The traction control light is also lit up. If I turn the engine off and on the problem goes away. It hasn't been happening everyday just on and off but all this week it has done it several times a day and the engine light now comes on too but not the traction control. Again if I switch the engine off and on the problem goes away but the engine light stayed on yesterday. I tried it this morning and nothing. Everything had disappeared again. Had it in the garage today who told me when he plugged it into the computer some error codes came up relating to the alternator Nd said my first port of call would be changing that. I haven't been having any battery issues, car runs fine and starts fine so I'm confused. I know very little about cars and feel like maybe they juatvtrying to rip me off or am I wrong? Oh 1 lastvthing if the problem wasn't o  the dash when they plugged it In then am I right in thinking it won't flag up? Hoping somebody can help 

[Luke4efc]

Without knowing what the code is, or anymore information into the fault other than "engine malfunction" (which pretty much most engine problems) then we can only assume the mechanic is correct.

Do you have a multimeter to check voltages? If not you either need to get one, or trust the mechanic, or take it elsewhere for a second opinion.

28 minutes ago, Jen18 said:

lastvthing if the problem wasn't o  the dash when they plugged it In then am I right in thinking it won't flag up?

No it stores the code so will still show up.

[Jen18]

Thanks for replying and shedding some light. Im going to trust the mechanic and see what happens 

[RL123]

Hi, Focuses of that era have been known to develop dry solder joints in the instrument cluster . Codes starting with “u” usually recorded. When it occurs , a slap above the ip on the dash board can temporarily shock it back to life if this is the fault.

codes should be read with a scanner which read both hs and ms canbusses.

good luck

[Casper Cat]

Hi as it happens we have had the same problem, where the engine was basically running in limp mode. We had a break down guy out to look at it via our insurance, he plugged in his diagnostic computer and it said that it was the ECU Module which was faulty.

Up shot was we had it towed to our local Ford dealer where it was checked over again, they came up with the simple fact that it required a software update which they have done under warranty, car now run's normally. So it maybe just that yours requires a software update? our car is only 2 years old so was a bit worrying that it would need it so soon or rather at all!!. 

[Mickm]

On 1/27/2022 at 6:33 PM, Jen18 said:

Hi, was hoping someone can shed some light. For a few weeks now while I've been driving the engine malfunction message has been coming on the dashboard followed by reduced acceleration message. The traction control light is also lit up. If I turn the engine off and on the problem goes away. It hasn't been happening everyday just on and off but all this week it has done it several times a day and the engine light now comes on too but not the traction control. Again if I switch the engine off and on the problem goes away but the engine light stayed on yesterday. I tried it this morning and nothing. Everything had disappeared again. Had it in the garage today who told me when he plugged it into the computer some error codes came up relating to the alternator Nd said my first port of call would be changing that. I haven't been having any battery issues, car runs fine and starts fine so I'm confused. I know very little about cars and feel like maybe they juatvtrying to rip me off or am I wrong? Oh 1 lastvthing if the problem wasn't o  the dash when they plugged it In then am I right in thinking it won't flag up? Hoping somebody can help 

Hi  i have a similar problem, the Engine Malfunction light comes on and i lose a small amount of power, after a while all power goes and i cannot accelerate at all. I turn the engine off for ten seconds and it restarts and runs for a while until the whole process starts again.

Ford dealer has told me that the fuel additive tank needs refilling at a cost of £600, that might solve the problem if not it could be the turbo.   Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

[Luke4efc]

2 minutes ago, Mickm said:

Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

First of all, I suggest you start your own topic as your issue may be completely different to the OP's. It gets very confusing trying to sort out multiple problems on one thread.

Secondly, you need the fault codes. An engine management light could mean any of several dozen problems. Its complete guesswork without a code.

[Mickm]

Thanks for the heads up

 

[Welshlander]

I had a similar problem with my Ford Focus Zete 1.6 Econotec (2013). I found out it was caused by a faulty EGR valve. Apparently, if you drive in urban areas a lot and don't take the car on a long run and keep the revs over 3000 then soot builds up in the system  and clogs the valve. I was told it's a common fault on the high mileage Focuses. In the end I had to have the EGR valve fixed (replacing it is around £500)! I then took it to a garage who specialised in engine diagnostics who gave it a diagnostic scan and "Forte DPF Clean and retest" which cost £282 including VAT. Beware!  Itook my car to a Ford dealer first. They did 2 DPF Regens and failed to clear the problem then charged me £100 for doing the DPF Regens!

[Jen18]

On 1/28/2022 at 11:07 AM, RL123 said:

Hi, Focuses of that era have been known to develop dry solder joints in the instrument cluster . Codes starting with “u” usually recorded. When it occurs , a slap above the ip on the dash board can temporarily shock it back to life if this is the fault.

codes should be read with a scanner which read both hs and ms canbusses.

good luck

Thanks so much. U were absolutely right. Whacked the dash when it came on and everything on the display went crazy!  Took it to my local auto electrician. £100 and all fixed