Hi

I'm having the following problems with the  cluster dials ect, malfuntion engine,speed limter, yellow engine symbol, rev counter needle going heywire

alarms going off loads of strange things happening.

Somtimes the car will not start , give it a few mins and all ok. when it starts it runs well but the more i use the car the more warnings I get 

Phoned the RAC they think its a sensor that's causing the problem, any idears please?

More likely the common cluster issue on mk2 cars due to the solder failing in cluster instrument board connections. 
 

Search for cluster issues should bring up more info - there’s a user on here who can do the repairs easily enough

many thanks for reply troy45maned to get it booked into a garage tomorrow

I will give an update asap

26 minutes ago, dancc3 said:

many thanks for reply troy45maned to get it booked into a garage tomorrow

I will give an update asap

Would be shocked if the garage could do anything with your Instrument Cluster, it's a very specialised repair, though not that expensive, £80 - £100. Keep us posted on what your garage concludes...

 

Just be aware reflowing defective solder joints may last a little while but the leadfree solder used originally fails with age.

the solder should be removed and replaced with conventional solder for a lasting repair.

On 4/16/2024 at 7:15 PM, dancc3 said:

Hi

I'm having the following problems with the  cluster dials ect, malfuntion engine,speed limter, yellow engine symbol, rev counter needle going heywire

alarms going off loads of strange things happening.

Somtimes the car will not start , give it a few mins and all ok. when it starts it runs well but the more i use the car the more warnings I get 

Phoned the RAC they think its a sensor that's causing the problem, any idears please?

Search Ebay for "Focus/C-Max Instrument cluster repair", remove cluster and send it off.

Don't attempt to fit a replacement cluster, it's more hassle than it's worth.

Don't waste your money taking it to a garage, just send the cluster off and it will be OK

Ive just had this problem. I took the cluster out (youtube videos helped) and checked all the contacts I didnt resolder just sprayed some electrical contact cleaner on it and replaced.If you bang the top of the cluster on the dashboard does it right itself? this is a common problem on these vehicles. 

6 minutes ago, Royston 100 said:

Ive just had this problem. I took the cluster out (youtube videos helped) and checked all the contacts I didnt resolder just sprayed some electrical contact cleaner on it and replaced.If you bang the top of the cluster on the dashboard does it right itself? this is a common problem on these vehicles. 

Sadly, you clearly do not understand the issue. It doesn't 'right' itself. The solder that was used was lead free (to save the planet), which lasts for some years but then deteriorates and causes numerous electrical issues. Checking the solder by eye is useless as you'll need strong magnification to see the micro cracks. The ONLY cure is to remove the errant solder and replace with proper leaded solder. The 'banging' may get you home, but it's certainly not a fix!

37 minutes ago, Royston 100 said:

I took the cluster out (youtube videos helped) and checked all the contacts I didnt resolder just sprayed some electrical contact cleaner on it and replaced.

Sadly, if you had the same problem that I and most of the others on this forum have had, spaying with electrical cleaner won't have fixed it. Because you have disturbed the bad connections, you have had the same effect as banging the top of the dash. In other words, I doubt that you have fixed anything.

It was a temporary fix if It happens agin ill hve it resoldered I didnt want to mess it up.Ill see how long it last.

3 hours ago, Royston 100 said:

if It happens again

when it happens again . . . .

yes when it happens again 🙂

 

Hi update on cluster 

taken to a garage they called in someone that repairs them a few hours later it was fixed £140, seems to be running as it should

 

Many thanks for all the input

 

 

2 hours ago, dancc3 said:

Hi update on cluster 

taken to a garage they called in someone that repairs them a few hours later it was fixed £140, seems to be running as it should

 

Many thanks for all the input

 

 

£140 is way above average (£60 - £90), but still, good you got sorted...

I guess that probably included 1/2 hour labour to remove and refit the cluster👍