My 2011 Automatic Focus shuts down occasionally (once every 2 months) random warnings on the the dashboard then finally, transmission overheating (had only driven 1 mile yesterday when it happened) I have no power but idles for 20 seconds (which luckily gives me time to find a safe stopping point) before everything shuts down and gets no mechanical response when attempting to restart, just clicking sounds.

It has had full diagnostics done which is not conclusive. One garage found no issue, a breakdown mechanic (who used to sell the diagnostic machine) said it could be the alternator. (I have pictures of the diagnostics if required) Yesterday the breakdown mechanic said it cannot be as my battery was showing 14v. The car restarts with a jump after sitting for an hour and will run fine until it decides to randomly konk out again.

Any help would be hugely appreciated. I am a carer for my mum and the car cut out yesterday on my way to take her for vital fortnightly treatment at the hospital.

Only other possibility offered has been a faulty earth somewhere.

 

33 minutes ago, Dean Lawson said:

Only other possibility offered has been a faulty earth somewhere.

A poor earth is very probably the cause of the issue. A poor connection between the battery negative and the engine can give the faults you describe.

Do you have a multimeter (and know how to use it). Measure the resistance between the battery negative terminal and a good solid metal part of the engine, the metal case of the alternator is a good point to use.

The resistance should be less than 1 ohm.