Hi I have a 2014 Ford Fiesta studio which is well looked after (fully serviced every year and on 93k miles). I’ve recently had problems with fault messages coming up randomly. It started with ‘tyre sensor not detected’ and then eventually started showing ‘tyre sensor malfunction (service required)’ as well (it alternates between the 2). The malfunction one only shows up randomly and then disappears however the tyre pressure light is constantly showing on the dashboard. 

I had all 4 valves checked on my tyres, 1 was faulty so it was replaced. All was reset and was fine for a few days and now it’s come back. Ive checked my tyre pressures and they are fine. I thought it might be a sensor issue or something but now sometimes when I start the car up it’s slow to crank and comes up with the ‘traction control off’ message. I always check and the traction is on once the car is running but weirdly whenever this happens the engine temperature doesn’t increase the whole time the car is running (no bars at all) but as soon as I turn off and back on providing the above hasn’t happened the gauge works fine. I’ve had issues with the battery going flat every now and then when I leave the car unlocked. I’m assuming it’s because my lights stay on for a while before going off and now I’m starting to think it’s a dying battery that is causing all of this. The battery has never been changed since new which I know isn’t ideal but I’ve never had a problem with it up until last year. I’ve had people look at it but I don’t seem to be getting any answers or I get palmed off as I can’t replicate the issue when I take it to the garage (9 times out of 10 the car starts fine). Any ideas as I’m at a loose end and I’m worried I could be causing more damage to it. Thanks 

The batteries in the tyre pressure monitors only last between 7 and 10 years depending on mileage. On a 2014 model I would expect that all 4 of the TPMS sensors will need to be replaced.

Thanks. So you don’t think it’s an issue with the main car battery? Just the TPMS sensors? Sorry I’m not clued up on all of this. 

It's nothing to do with the main vehicle battery.

Each TPMS sensor installed inside of the wheel (tyre needs to be removed) has a small coin cell built in. The battery is not replaceable and it is necessary to have each sensor replaced. Usually around £30 per wheel or many garages will do all 4 for £80

 

Your vehicle battery has done very well to last this long if it is the original, most batteries these days do well to last a full 4 years.

Ten years old?  Get a new main battery from say https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/ or Tayna, and see if your other problems disappear.  You'll need one soon anyway, and best to do it before you are stranded.  Money well spent, as our grandmothers would say.

A million other electrical 'faults' appear if you have a poor battery or a poor earth, and they melt away when a decent circuit is restored.

1 hour ago, unofix said:

It's nothing to do with the main vehicle battery.

Each TPMS sensor installed inside of the wheel (tyre needs to be removed) has a small coin cell built in. The battery is not replaceable and it is necessary to have each sensor replaced. Usually around £30 per wheel or many garages will do all 4 for £80

 

Your vehicle battery has done very well to last this long if it is the original, most batteries these days do well to last a full 4 years.

Thanks for your help. What do you reckon could be causing the traction off error and the engine temp gauge problem? Sorry for all the questions, I’m due to make a long journey by myself and really would like to get all of this sorted before I set off for peace of mind. 

20 minutes ago, KJ4300 said:

What do you reckon could be causing the traction off error and the engine temp gauge problem? Sorry for all the questions, I’m due to make a long journey by myself and really would like to get all of this sorted before I set off for peace of mind. 

Questions are why forums exist.

Buy a new battery.  If the other faults persist, you have further problems.  But you need a new battery anyway.  Address the issues in the correct logical order.

9 minutes ago, orangecurry said:

Questions are why forums exist.

Buy a new battery.  If the other faults persist, you have further problems.  But you need a new battery anyway.  Address the issues in the correct logical order.

Great thanks for the advice I’ll do that. 

1 hour ago, KJ4300 said:

What do you reckon could be causing the traction off error and the engine temp gauge problem?

Probably two separate issues. The traction control off error can be caused by a few things, one of which is your vehicle battery having a low state of charge. It may well be time to replace it and at least eliminate it from the list. If after changing the car battery the problem continues you will need to use the software FORScan and read the vehicles diagnostic trouble codes (DTC's), but that's for another day, one thing at a time.

The temperature display being a digital led bar, could very well mean it is being affected by voltage problems, but again, one thing at a time. Get a new car battery, and then also get the TPMS sensors replaced and see what happens.

52 minutes ago, unofix said:

Probably two separate issues. The traction control off error can be caused by a few things, one of which is your vehicle battery having a low state of charge. It may well be time to replace it and at least eliminate it from the list. If after changing the car battery the problem continues you will need to use the software FORScan and read the vehicles diagnostic trouble codes (DTC's), but that's for another day, one thing at a time.

The temperature display being a digital led bar, could very well mean it is being affected by voltage problems, but again, one thing at a time. Get a new car battery, and then also get the TPMS sensors replaced and see what happens.

Great thank you for the advice it’s appreciated.