Hi all

Our FF 1.6 Ghia 2002 keeps cutting out whilst driving. Typical instance - driving along in 4th, about 40mph, engine completely dies with no warning - interior lights come on, exterior lights lost. No power at all, so coasting along in complete darkness. Try to restart car on the move and it suddenly revs up again. This has happened at least 5 times in last two weeks.

Had similar problem two years ago whilst driving on M25 - all lights on dash came on, sudden alarm and had to pull over with what seemed to be a complete engine failure - 5 mins rest and car restarted only to do the same again about two miles down the road. We had the fuel pump replaced then, and car ran okay until the last couple of weeks. So the fuel pump has been replaced again. Garage is at a loss to tell us what the problem is as all diagnostic tests say nothing is wrong and all electric working fine.

We've had a known fault with the speedo where it suddenly drops out and seems to be connected to a slight fall in revs.

I know nothing about cars and their engines, but could it be a problem with battery? sparkplugs ? auto choke, fuel/air mix ?

Would appreciate any help at all as we don't know where to go next with this. Many thanks.

First off I'd it fiesta or focus (I can't see on the mobile) second do you have any other symptoms, struggle starting or just nothing, does the instrument cluster have any lights?

It's a ford focus and yes, sometimes has trouble starting. The instrument cluster lights up fine during normal driving, but can't be sure about whether they went off when engine died, think they probably did.....

Have you had battery & alternator tested?

Common fault for speedo dropping to zero & stalling is the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) located on the gearbox.

Could all be related, but no fault codes mean its going to be difficult diagnosing the fault.

Thanks Ade, will ask garage to check those things.

Is there any other advice out there ?

cars that just cut out can often at this time of year, be of the result of a damaged fuel filter. but given the evidence you have seen so far, I would be surprised though if you dont lose out to the instrument cluster

Can I just ask - why would the instrument cluster make the car stall when driving ?

The instrument cluster has links to the ECU, the loose connections cause communication failures and as a result causes the car to drop out.

thanks for that - am now armed for the garage again!

Yeah the focus (even mk2 and 2.5 have inherited the issue) but the solder joints dey and become fragile, sometimes removing the cluster and drowning in contact cleaner can fix it, but otherwise the joints need resoldering... They can be repaired for around 100 or less otherwise you need to buy new for a lot more....