hi

ive just bought a 56 plate focus titanium

Just got this problem

* Handbrake light on (handbrake is not on)

* Outside temperature on dash not showing

* Warning temperature shows it is below 0c

* Cannot open or lock doors with fob - but can open boot with fob

manual says handbrake light on means short of brake fluid by why would I get problems with doors and temperature at exactly the same time?

Thanks

It sounds like an electrical issue. it could be water ingress, or a loose connection somewhere. The sensor for the outside temperature is I think in the passenger wing mirror, if the connection is lost, this will be the reason for the temperature not displaying. The Brake light could indicate brake fluid is low, the brake pads are in need of replacement, or it could be that a switch is stuck.If you repeatedly pull and drop the handbrake, does this turn the light off?

The fact you cant lock or unlock the doors with the fob suggests further its a wiring issue.

Start by disconnecting the battery, then go to the passenger footwell, drop the fuseboard remove all connectors and then resecure all of them. This may be as simple as a loose relay that this should fix.

I'll have a look tomorrow thanks, forgot to mention when this happens the indicators stop working too

Check the bottom of the fuse box as there is 2 little switches that stick down towards the floor. I happened to catch my foot on one before and it turned few sensors off, including outside temp sensor, bonnet sensor, all of the heating controls plus front and rear screens.

Cheers I'll have a look

Also I know this is a long shot but is it a frost symbol on the dash. At a quick glance it could be the handbrake but it maybe the frost symbol. This was the symbol we got when the temp sensor wasn't working.

Thanks Luke it's definately the brake light, the worrying thing is I've just got the manual out and the book opens automatically at the fuse page

Perhaps the previous owner was a frequent abuser of the fusebox!