Hi, I am getting desparate about an intermittent problem that has been occuring over a couple of months and would value any advice.

Ford Focus 2006 1.8 TDCI diesel

Intermittently, the car won't start, error messages will be displayed "Engine Systems Fault", "Steering Assist Failure", finally "Engine Systems Fault". Sometimes (but not always) the fault will clear if I repeatedly turn the ignition key.

This time the car started OK but after driving for a few yards it totally lost power and showed "Engine Systems Fault". The engine was running but pressing the accelerator pedal had no effect on the revs. After switching the engine off it wouldn't restart and showed "Engine Systems Fault"

The AA man retrieved the codes in the EMS and sent a photo of the screen showing the fault codes to my mobile, cleared the faults and started the car. I took the car to the garage I use and I gave them the photo.

But the garage now says the "The codes that you sent me unfortunatly are not good. They are all U codes which have nothing to do with the type of fault you have." and they will have to wait until the fault reappears - which might take days or weeks.

(I find it puzzling and difficult to believe that the codes have nothing to do with the fault.)

The AA man's screen showed:



Top of screen:
Ford Focus II 2004 - System Selection - EMS (Diesel) - Diesel Autodetect - EMS Diesel 1.8TDCI (CAN)

Fault Codes:
P0571 Brake switch - signal impausible - Not present at time of request, Intermittent
P1622 Immobiliser id does not match - Not present at time of request, Intermittent
U0001 High Speed Can Communication Bus
U0073 CAN cummunication BUS - fault
U0121 Lost Communications with Abs Control Module
U0131 Lost Communications with Power Steering Control Module
U0140 Lost Communications with Body Control Module
U0155 Lost Communications with Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module
U2197 Invalid data for vehicle speed. If tachograph enabled - invalid tachograph input.

I would be *very* grateful for any thoughts about it.

Well, the main dealer has now decided it needs a new instrument cluster. Ouch!

Hopefully this will cure the faults.

(It is the third time they have had the car for this problem.)

My missus car said steering assist failure with no throttle response and it would cut out under hard throttle in this case is was a clogged fuel filter now a yearly change without fail !!!!

@JohnB99

I've had the system reports faults with the ABS on my car because I've plugged the reader in when the car has been running, and yet nothing was wrong with the ABS.

I also had the car start once and warn me that the power steering wasn't working. And it didn't - seriously heavy trying to back her out of the drive. Switched it off, switched it back on and off we went. And I don't seem to remember there being any faults thrown.

Before you shell out for an instrument cluster, I would suggest getting an ELM cable- handy things to have. you can get a cable off e-bay and ForScan off the interweb.

When you have the cable, clear all error codes and drive as normal. If a fault does occur, get the codes yourself and note what they are. When you have a pattern built up, you could post here again - could prove a lot less costly than a new cluster.

Best wishes

Sc27

Sounds like guess work u should never replace a module for u faults if u have pollen filter changed recently could be showing up them cause gem module disconnect intermitting problems very hard track down an very time consuming lots garage just throw parts cause time is money I would get second opinion

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