Hi,

I have a Focus 1.8TDCi Ghia 2003 which has just started breaking down.

The symptoms are; driving along normally with no issues then suddenly with no warning the engine stops, as if the ignition has been switched off. The car coasts to a stop and the glow plug light is flashing.

Trying to restart immediately has no effect, such that the engine doesn't even turn over - its like the engine is missing.

After waiting by the roadside for a few minutes with the ignition off the car restarts as normal and drives away as if nothing ever happened. This has occurred 3 times in last 2 days over about 50 miles of driving.

I have hooked the car up to an OBD connector and phone app which tells that there are no recorded fault codes.

Would very grateful for some advice on where to start.

Many thanks

when was the car last serviced and the fuel and air filter last replaced?

Last serviced in November. Since posting I've had a diagnostic report done which gave error codes: P0251 and P1211.

The mechanic told me that that the fuel pressure sensor is faulty (£250 for sensor). But more likely that the fuel pump is on its way out and producing particles in the fuel and damaging the sensor. Fuel pump braking down could also explain recent difficulty in starting, although some mornings it starts after a few turns.

Fuel pump replacement quote £700 for refurbished or £1200 from Ford plus labour £300. I could just replace the sensor but risk having same problems in a month or two which he says he's seen on other ford diesels. To be sure of fixing everything he recommends sensor and pump at a cost of approx £1500. Ouch..... on a 2003 Focus with 100thou on the clock. Would appreciate all opinions and advice. Many thanks

was going to state injectors... "Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" Malfunction (Cam/Rotor/Injector)"po251

P1211 is the code that brings on limp mode after P0251 has been detected for a set amount of time.

look around your injectors to see if you can see anything out of the ordinary... but id start with the fuel filter change asap, then work from there

Hi I have been reading through trying to get an answer to the same problem, focus 1.8 tdci 115, the only difference is that I fitted an electronic tuning box from a reputable company. The only thing I noticed was that the car was using a hell of a lot more fuel! Then it started cutting out and the glow plug light flashing.

I only had the box on for a few days, which I have removed and sent back for a refund, but the car is now still cutting out! I have taken the cam sensor out and cleaned it with egr cleaner. Also car has had recent oil change, all fluids and filters!

I'm just wondering has this tuning box messed something up, and is there any point of hooking the car up to a diagnostic as there no warning lights on, only when it cuts out, I pull in, ignition off and on and hey presto, going again!!!!

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction