Hi All,

This is my first post on the forum. I am hoping someone with more knowledge than myself (shouldn't take much!!) can help me with a problem I am experiencing.

Sorry for the long first post, I just wish to provide as much detail as possible so someone can assist me.

I have a 2008 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi and the other day it failed to start. I drove for approx 5 miles and it started fine with no problems, called in to a shop (circa 20 minutes) then drove about 3 quarters of a mile again without any problems, got out my car for about 5 minutes (without the engine on), then when I went to start my car its as though the battery was totally flat, the lights wouldn't stay on and it wouldn't tick over. After connecting jump leads to another car for about 30 minutes ,I managed to get it started.

Since then I have done numerous journeys all over 3 miles long and it has started fine every time. However today I went to the shop less than a mile done some shopping, then drove to the petrol station forecourt and when I tried to start my car it really struggled again. Its as though it can't handle the short journeys.

Since Friday I have had to start my car about 12 times and 3 of those times I have had a 'Power Steering Malfunction' warning light come on, but the steering has remained unaffected.

Is anybody able to shed any light on what the problem maybe?

A few months ago it was struggling to start and the garage stated that the fuel housing unit needed replacing as one of the values was letting air or fuel (can't remember which) travel back on it self. That has been replaced about 8 weeks ago, it has had a service and an MOT in the last 3 months.

ANY help is greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Jon

when it failed to start, did you hear a click? or was it turning over but not firing, or turning over very slowly?

first thing is i would get the battery and alternator load tested, this can be done at any garage for free.

when was the fuel filter last changed? was it done during the service?

Hi James,

It was turning over very slowly, then slowed even more till it stopped totally.

Ok I will get the battery and alternator load tested ASAP. I did think it may be the battery, but i find it strange how it sort of died instantly and since then my car has been running ok(ish), however I know NOTHING about cars so that may be normal.

Yes the fuel filter was changed on my last service.

I thought the DPF may be clogged up as i do a lot of city driving, however I was informed (I don't know how reliably) that my car doesn't have a DPF.

Thank You

Jon

If it's a 2.0 TDCI it will have a DPF. Battery and/or alternator issues can cause no end of seemingly bizarre issues from electronic systems failing to start even though the car does (power assisted steering), seemingly random behaviour that comes & goes through to the car doing a full dial sweep every time the ignition is turned on. These are all issues I had when by alternator & then the battery started to die. (There are lots of other symptoms it can cause) hopefully it will be something cheap!

definately the battery then, thats the only thing that will cause it to turn over slowly.

Hi , did you get the problem sorted ? 
I am having the same issue atm. Had a new battery the car was fine for 2 weeks and now the same problem is back. 
any help would be welcomed 😊
 

Start a new thread of your own. This has been dead for 9 years.