Hi Folks,

I have a 2007 1.6 Focus. About 6 months ago it began running rough and the engine warning light would flash. The problem was intermittent. A mechanic changed the coil pack and the problem was solved.

Recently it's done it again but this time it's much worse. Out of the blue it lost a lot of power and the warning light flashed. As I drive it misfires and the light flashes. If I back off on the gas the engine becomes smooth again but the light comes on constantly. As soon as I try to accelerate hard the light flashes and it misfires, A garage checked the error code and said it was 'random misfire'. They suggested I changed the plugs and leads. I've done that and it's a lot better but still runs badly when I accelerate.

I have tried to reset the ACU by disconnecting the battery negative ( for 30 minutes) but when I reconnect it the engine light is still on!

So I have 2 questions....

1. Any idea what may be wrong with the car?

2. Why can't I reset the ACU?

Thanks for your help folks.

sounds like a faulty sensor, MAF or similar. it sounds like the ECU is getting the wrong messages and trying to compensate.

Thanks for the advice - is that something I can check myself?

it is, but I cant remember exactly where it is. Is your car the 2 or 2.5 range?

Sorry I don't know what you mean when you ask if it's 2 or 2.5? I assume you don't mean engine size? (its 1,6). I've looked everywhere and I can't see a MAF - there is a round plate on the pipe leading from the air filter to the engine and in some photos I've seen the MAF sits at that point but on my car it's just blanked off. Maybe it's not fitted to my model?

Could be a partially blocked injector, but I would have thought the fault code should give a bit more accuracy as to the location.

Sorry, what I was asking is MK2 or MK2.5?

have you tried the trip computer trick? check if there are any DTC codes that will help us advise you!

Well it turned out to be the couild pack yet again! Had it replaced and it's fine now.

This car seems to be no end of trouble - now the clutch has gone!!!!

The clutch does not bite until the pedal is almost all the way to the top and it slips while driving - I assume that means I need a new clutch :(

yep dont end up like me where the clutch destroyed itself with a car full of kids

It has some odd symptons. The clutch slips but it's also hard to get it into gear (the gears grind as if the clutch is not fully depressed). I was going to try bleeding it but I cant find the slave cylinder - anyone know where it is? Cheers.

Its a shared cylinder with the brake fluid, so doubt bleeding will do you any good....

And the actual slave clyinder is inside the gearbox.

So it does sound like I need a new clutch?

The issue you have where the gears are grinding even when you depress the clutch would be the pressure plate. You need to get that changed. However as a short bypass you can turn the engine off select 1st gear and start the car with the clutch depressed. You should be able to move off up to gear 3. To get into reverse do the same thing. But do get the pressure plate changed ASAP. Have the clutch check as well you might as well have both done together.

Ok thanks - I'll get in into a garage as soon as poss.