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Anti theft keeps kicking in

Shelley17
Shelley17
in Ford Focus Club

Featured Replies

Hi all,

I have an 07 focus, I’ve had it for 5 years and it’s been absolutely fine. The last 6 weeks I’ve been having issues with what I believe to be the anti theft system. The car just doesn’t start when I try to start it. All the dashboard lights come on and then go off. I’ve tried both keys, changed the battery in both, it makes no difference. I have to sit and wait for the system to reset, and then pray it starts so I’m not stranded somewhere. It’s ridiculously intermittent. Has anyone had this happen to them? Or any ideas as to what it could be? I believe it’s either an immobiliser issue or the ignition barrel. Thanks in advance. 

  • Quote


    Find someone with FORscan to read any codes. Disconnect the battery negative terminal for 30 mins let the whole sysytem discharge. If you thump the top of the cluster and it works you have the renown cluster failure and it will need resoldering. HTH

  • Quote

    Sounds like the common dash cluster fault.  The solder in the cluster cracks over time.  The immobiliser is wired through the cluster.  The fix is to remove the cluster and send it away to be re-soldered.  But in the meantime, if you give the top of the dash a slap when it happens, that's often enough to reconnect the soldering to get the car started.

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    • Like 4
    • Thanks 1
    46 minutes ago, Shelley17 said:

    Has anyone had this happen to them? Or any ideas as to what it could be?

    Yes, and yes! As already mentioned, it's highly likely that the cluster needs to come out (just held in by 2 x T20 screws), and sent off to be resoldered. Ford in older cars like ours used 'lead free' solder to save some dolphins, worked fine for a while but over time, it deteriorates to the point of being electrically non conductive, leading to all sorts of electrical gremlins.

    There is a whole industry built up repairing these clusters and you just need to search Ebay under, 'Ford Focus cluster repair'. You'll usually get the cluster back in 24 hours, and budget about £60 - £80.

    This is how to remove the cluster for sending off, and the car will be immobile for the duration.

     

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    As above👍

    Do not buy a new cluster, get it fixed, do not buy a second hand cluster, get it fixed👍

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