Hiya 

Newbie here, thanks for having me onboard ! I have just bought my 1.8 Zetec and it seems to have a random starting problem. 

When you turn it to accessories and all the lights go on, the fuel pump stops buzzing and you turn the key, there's the noise of the starter motor about to connect, so like a loud click and then nothing. Often it'll start first time, no problem, sometimes it'll take 3 or 4 goes to make it start. When it starts it's clear that the battery is fine, the starter is energetic and starts the engine no problem, it's just like sometimes theres no connection. 

Now this would be weird enough, but yesterday, usual thing, 3 or 4 starts, then it started and was running perfect, but NO POWER STEERING !!! Turned it off and on again and power steering all back and perfect. 

 

Anyone got any ideas ???? Thanks Sean 

The first thing I would check is the tightness of the battery lead connections then the earth connection from the battery to the chassis. This may be loose and/or suffering from corrosion.

As above.

Also measure the battery voltage with a multimeter at the terminals. EPAS is very sensitive to low voltage.

 

hey! i have this exact same issue, randomly wont start and says engine fault, a bunch of lights come on, then sometimes it drives fine, sometimes no power steering, sometimes it just says that but there is actually power steering, sometimes it completely disappears, but then reappears two or three starts later. What did you do in the end?