Focus Fault Diagnosis

In Focus · 19-01-2011, 12:01 AM

Share your wisdom of cars in general, and Foci in particular. Since I started this, I'm going first.

Symptoms: Slight creaking when steering at low gear (such as around in a car park). I can't decide if it's steering or suspension related. No warning lights coming on or noticeable loss of performance, and a noise that wouldn't worry me in particular except that it wasn't there before. It can only be heard when the radio is off.

Suspected cause: Taking a corner at around 50kph (one highway onto another, approx 120o curve rather than a right angle). The car is a CL automatic, if it matters, though perhaps a Zetec would be better equipped to handle tests of that kind. And an XR5, of course.

Any thoughts?

XR5-Boy · 19-01-2011, 02:48 PM

Hmm, sounds suspension related. Could be bushes? How old is the car?

In Focus · 19-01-2011, 04:17 PM

Only 6 months (and 5000km).

Neale · 19-01-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In Focus

It can only be heard when the radio is off.

Fix- Turn Radio on

In Focus · 19-01-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neale

Fix- Turn Radio on

Yep, that works.

It also seems to happen only, or at least more noticeably, on right turns.

In Focus · 21-01-2011, 12:07 AM

Off to the Ford dealer tomorrow, so there's a rep "point" up for grabs for anyone who's diagnosis is the closest to right.

melbzetec · 21-01-2011, 12:24 AM

Right side CV joint??

casabonka · 21-01-2011, 08:51 AM

hmm rep point....
suspension mount on the right?

Neale · 21-01-2011, 08:55 PM

if theres a rep point in it my money is on an engine mount

In Focus · 21-01-2011, 10:27 PM

According to the dealer it was just a new car "settling down". They retensioned and lubricated (probably WD40'd) everything. We'll see whether it lasts...

Most of you aimed something more dramatic, but in the absence of further proof, I'll give Neale the point for the radio gag - that was probably closest to what the dealer did - pretended it was nothing, and hoped it would just go away.

casabonka · 21-01-2011, 11:04 PM

When my boot/spare wheel/ wheel cover/ gremlins, creak in my car, the radio always solves it!

In Focus · 08-09-2012, 11:30 AM

Symptoms: Car feels like it's choking when cold and accellerating (Not WOT).

Any ideas? Bad fuel? I tend to use either BP Ultimate or Shell V-Power, both 98 Octane.

Yellow_Festiva · 08-09-2012, 05:55 PM

Anyone with an LV have issues with their Radio?? I really think I have a dud. Once it froze, could only turn it off by turning off the car. The volume up and down function is erratic half way into a long drive (1 touch jumps a dozen points either way) - changing the wheel stalk didn't fix it, and the AM reception is so bad I often need to turn it off when stopped because I'm in a black spot of sorts and just get pure static.....

Perhaps I should live dangerously and try a CD....

Also, that spring that is behind the throttle that makes a noise when you hit 20 also goes nuts if you are half way through an steep downhill turn driving in a spirited manner... You can feel it as well as hear it.....

If you boot leaks the fix IS NOT the drivers side lights, it's the drivers side hatch hinge FYI.

Franco Cozzo · 08-09-2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Anyone with an LV have issues with their Radio?? I really think I have a dud. Once it froze, could only turn it off by turning off the car. The volume up and down function is erratic half way into a long drive (1 touch jumps a dozen points either way) - changing the wheel stalk didn't fix it, and the AM reception is so bad I often need to turn it off when stopped because I'm in a black spot of sorts and just get pure static.....

Perhaps I should live dangerously and try a CD....

Also, that spring that is behind the throttle that makes a noise when you hit 20 also goes nuts if you are half way through an steep downhill turn driving in a spirited manner... You can feel it as well as hear it.....

If you boot leaks the fix IS NOT the drivers side lights, it's the drivers side hatch hinge FYI.

My spring makes that loud noise too, but never had it go other than turning and hitting 20km/h just after the car is started.

My diesel seems tempremental, throttle is really laggy, takes probably a good 5-10cm push in for it to start revving up, and even then its very slow to respond to what I'm doing with the pedal.

Dustproof · 12-09-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Also, that spring that is behind the throttle that makes a noise when you hit 20 also goes nuts if you are half way through an steep downhill turn driving in a spirited manner... You can feel it as well as hear it.....

That noise you hear at 20Kph is the ABS doing it's thing, I had the same noise going nuts on downhill take off on a right angle. It stopped doing it after a while of me not taking off too quickly, it still does make a quick light noise as the ABS kicks in at any time, this is normal

Noel

fonfe · 14-09-2012, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustproof

That noise you hear at 20Kph is the ABS doing it's thing, I had the same noise going nuts on downhill take off on a right angle. It stopped doing it after a while of me not taking off too quickly, it still does make a quick light noise as the ABS kicks in at any time, this is normal

Noel

Traction control.
ABS will only operate when brake is applied.

Yellow_Festiva · 14-09-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustproof

That noise you hear at 20Kph is the ABS doing it's thing, I had the same noise going nuts on downhill take off on a right angle. It stopped doing it after a while of me not taking off too quickly, it still does make a quick light noise as the ABS kicks in at any time, this is normal

Noel

The noise happens doing 70-80 in sharp inclined bends.

In Focus · 23-09-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In Focus

Symptoms: Car feels like it's choking when cold and accellerating (Not WOT).

Any ideas? Bad fuel? I tend to use either BP Ultimate or Shell V-Power, both 98 Octane.

Anyone?

Franco Cozzo · 23-09-2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In Focus

Anyone?

Check spark plugs and air filter, how long since it was serviced last?

In Focus · 24-09-2012, 12:16 AM

Been about six months. Shouldn't be the filter, I clean that regularly. Its a K & N though, so maybe it's letting too much through...

As for plugs, the current ones have done about 27,000 km in just under 2 1/2 years. I thought they were good for 60,000 km, or is there a time factor?

Dustproof · 24-09-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fonfe

Traction control.
ABS will only operate when brake is applied.

ABS checks itself once it is moving, 20Kph is the speed it does it. A few years ago Commodores did it when you start the engine, if you had your foot on the brake you would feel a buzzing through the brake peddle. Traction control is another software package placed on the ABS system as is the other control systems.

Dustproof · 24-09-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In Focus

Anyone?

Maybe a Vacuum leak somewhere, check hoses for a tight connection and no perforations. It does sound like a blocked fuel filter though, if you got a dose of bad fuel it would be acting up badly. If you thinks the fuel is stale, go get some fuel stabilizer and give that a go. My bet is on the high pressure fuel filter, they block up and limit fuel quantity to the injector. They are not serviceable, you have to swap them out. I am guessing the Focus will have one somewhere near the fuel tank.

Franco Cozzo · 24-09-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In Focus

Been about six months. Shouldn't be the filter, I clean that regularly. Its a K & N though, so maybe it's letting too much through...

As for plugs, the current ones have done about 27,000 km in just under 2 1/2 years. I thought they were good for 60,000 km, or is there a time factor?

Wouldn't be that then, hmm.

Yellow_Festiva · 24-09-2012, 09:30 PM

My poor AM reception was fixed by dealer with new antenna. Much better now.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-10-2012, 09:09 PM

Ok.... Radio reception fixed, I still think I have a faulty head unit in the car.

Who uses the AUX input here?? That 3.5mm input jack in the glovebox??

Can you please do this test. Play some music through it, turn off radio then turn it on again.

Mine drops in volume big time. Just say volume level is set to 15. I'll turn off the radio, then turn it on. Music player is untouched during this time. Volume goes from a 15 level to around the same as a 5 level. Only problem is that the number is still 15. So, the natural thing to do is boost it up to compensate. After 30 seconds / 5 minutes / 10 minutes it then works out that it has dropped and returns the volume to the correct level. Of course, it is now set to somewhere in the mid 20's and you get your head blown off, so you then turn the volume back to the original 15......

The fact that it self corrects at totally random intervals tells me this isn't normal?????

I still have the other volume problem where 1 click on the steering mast jumps up or down between 7-15 notches...... Back to the dealer again for that one.

Would really like to mention at the same time the fact that the AUX is also faulty should no-one else have the issue I have.

Yellow_Festiva · 28-11-2012, 11:12 PM

May as well keep this thread going.

Found a few random pixles being used in the bottom right / left of the dash display.

Then gone a few days later.

They have come and gone a few times now. Anything to be concerned about I wonder?

A few days ago I stalled it... an auto. Prob my fault as I was in a little bit of a rush and went back quickly then put it in drive and put a little more pressure than normal on the go pedal.... Thought that was a little odd, lost count of the auto cars I have driven but never stalled one thats for sure.

In Focus · 29-11-2012, 01:01 AM

Can't help you with the pixels, but you did well with the fuel consumption on an auto. I can't remember going that low except on long runs on flat, traffic-light-free roads.

Or is it a diesel?

Yellow_Festiva · 29-11-2012, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In Focus

Can't help you with the pixels, but you did well with the fuel consumption on an auto. I can't remember going that low except on long runs on flat, traffic-light-free roads.

Or is it a diesel?

Diesel mate! She returns high 4's-low 5's on the freeway

Still got a few radio issues as mentioned earlier in this thread, need to get those looked at before factory warranty runs out. Don't even know if the CD player works, never used it!

Prodrive · 29-11-2012, 11:26 AM

How did you fix the water leak pls

Yellow_Festiva · 29-11-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prodrive

How did you fix the water leak pls

If you have an LV focus and the hatch is leaking the dealer will say it's the RHS light assembly letting it in.

Mine was returned 3 times for the same repair. Fix 1 and 2 they re-sealed the lights, on the 3rd visit they found the water was getting in via the RHS hatch hinge.

All gaps in the join were filled with a glue / filler then painted over.

Seems to have worked.