Re: Focus 1.8 TDCi '04

Came on this morning for the first time...I will be trying to fix it myself so I'm looking for some guidance.

For diagnistics I was thinking of buying a cheap reader off flea bay, will they do the job although I'm not sure exactly what to look for and are the fault codes publically available?

The DMF has started to rattle so there's a good chance it maybe that although I'd like to be sure before undertaking such a job.

Thanks in advance.

Do a Dash test and see if and errors come up that you can google

Cheap readers will only read 'some' codes, and the dash test doesn't always help either. My reader was £80 and that doesn't pick up all codes. They will pick up basic stuff and give a vague description of the area the problem could be in. But even then you could be chasing your tail. Best to get it to a garage who are more likely to be able to pinpoint the problem.

Thanks...what is the dash test?

Don't know if yours has it being a mk1. Someone else maybe be able to confirm this.

Try it out see if it works

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/1486-focus-dashboard-secret-trick/

No trip-computer on mine I'm afraid.

What should I ask for when going to Ford, a full diagnostics?

A decent garage with testing equipment would be cheaper than ford, BUT, ford is for ford, and sometimes only this will do, so its down to personal choice really, take your chance at a local garage, or go to ford and pay that bit extra.