Deano16 Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Hi all, Just wondered if anyone can help, yesterday I was driving along and all of a sudden everything on dash doard shut down and the light for airbag and abs came on!! no speedo no rev counter, no fuel nothing, the car had no power when press accelerator it was spluttering along at about 50mph!! then i came to some traffic lights and had to stop, and engine cut out completely!! tried to start it turning key but nothing just a clicking noise!! So i pushed the car to a downslope bit of road and bumped it, everything seemed ok everything was working perfectly again finished my journey and went home About 4 hours later when Iwas on my way to work i got half way there and it did it again, so pulled over straight away on a downhill bit car cut out again, gave it couple of mins and bumped it again, all ok then about 3 miles later it did it happen, exactly the same, so did same procedure again,all ok but it did it about 1 mile down road again!! so I did everthing again then got about a mile from work and it did it again so I just tried my hardest to keep the revs up so it didn't cut again and i made it to work spluttering very slowly!! I have no idea what it could be apart from the alternator! Sorry for the long winded explanation but thought best to descibe my problem best I could to try and get help It's a 1.8 zetec petrol 2001 reg Any ideas please anyone Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Sounds like you have the dreaded instrument cluster failure unfortunately. Although I havent known it to take the engine out at the same time so you may have several issues. Your instrument cluster will most likely need replacing or refurbishing. The issue with the car cutting out could be as simple as a fuel filter needs changing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano16 Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 Thanks for your reply, but would that drain all the power!! as when it happens everything in the car is dead, lights everything!! then when bump it all is ok well first time a few hours but then after that could be a mile to 3 miles!! I know when it's happen as the airbag light and abs lights flicks on then off, then all power shuts off with only those 2 lights on and engine just about running!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 hmmm sounds more and more suspicious to be honest. It could be as simple as a battery test. You probably want to go to a few places and get a "free" battery test (I recently went to two or three seperate kwik fits for their opinions!) they will also do an alternator check as well. It sounds like its a faulty battery to me, as it sounds like the cold is biting it and stopping it giving power. Normally though the car runs on the alternator power, not the battery but the battery misbehaving throws spikes into the mix and throws everything out of sync. Start off with getting the battery checked and see what the results are.If the battery and alternator are good (by many opinions) then the instrument cluster could be the next problem to look at! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btmaldon Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 I would firstly check the battery connections and that you have a silver calcium battery rather than a lead acid battery. The latter cannot handle the Ford Smart Charge system. As the car is no longer a youngster I would also check the earth straps are in good condition and have a good grounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano16 Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 thanks everyone I've just called 1 mate up whos owns his own gargae, and explained and he said it sounds a lot like a earthing problem!! but can't say for sure So i'm going to take it him and i'll keep you updated as to the problem!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Looking forward to a good (cheap) outcome :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano16 Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 yeah me too def the cheap part!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano16 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hi all, Just an update for you all, my feelings were correct and it was the alternator that has gone!! It's just not charging the battery at all, not 100% sure if battery needs replacing as well until get the new alternator on it!! Thanks everyone for there help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 A new battery will probably be a good thing, this time of year and with a dead battery the cold will warp it and affect the cells so I think you will probably benefit from it. How much are you getting the alternator done for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano16 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hi £30 for alternator from scrap yard as I can't afford new 1 and me and my mate are putting it in car!! So should be all good to go tomorrow Sent from my ThL W5 using Ford OC mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hoping so Dean! look forward to good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_focus Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Is it a diesel or a petrol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano16 Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 1.8 petrol Sent from my ThL W5 using Ford OC mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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