99 Ford Focus Electrics Problem?

sham69

HI,
First of all I know NOTHING about cars but am seeking some advice for my GF.
We have a 99 Ford Focus which has been no bother apart from the usual wear and tear etc. It just passed the NCT last week with flying colours.
My other half was out on Saturday night at a party, drove to it, had a few drinks and sensibly left the car at the venue. When we went to collect it on Sunday morning it was quite sluggish to drive (barely made it up the hill).
Also the electric windows werent working, the brake lights had blown and the wipers not working either.
I think she also said there was a bit of smoke coming from the engine on Sunday (her uncle feared it might be the head gasket).
Has anyone any ideas on this?
We were hoping to trade up to a newer car this month but this has really knocked us back. Its just very strange that all this happened all of a sudden when the car was driving so well the day before.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Sham.

Buffman

There was an attempted theft on one of our work focus's a few years ago. The symptoms were something similar, they had cut the wiring loom in an attempt to disable the immobiliser.
May not be your problem, given it's a 10 year old focus.

bop1977

i had a simalar problem with a mondeo. it turned out to be a coil pack.

hth.

Fishtits

Many Fords of that era and onwards suffer electrical problems, not sure what your problem is but broken conductors is a very common problem. they seem to chafe against the hard PVC ribbed carriers.

The "smart charge" (dumb charge...) alternator also gives trouble, either voltage regulator in the alternator or dodgy connections at the ECU (behind the kick panel)

In a nutshell, IMHO probably impossible to diagnose over the net. (some Ford Genie will hopefully prove me wrong...)

Pity, the Focus was other wise all but bullet proof.

sham69

Thanks for the replies guys.
I did a bit more research and found that there are 2 fuse boxes, one under the hood and one at the back of the glove compartment.
Might be a case of a relay thats gone.
Will know more today, I am not counting out the likelyhood of tampering as the place it was parked on the night in question is quite rough to say the least and I thought it a bit coincidental.
Cheers all.

sham69

Just a quick update on this.
We left the car in the driveway for the past 2 weeks.
We moved house during the week so had to move the car, when we went out to try to move it everything was working again?
We brought it for a bit of a drive and it was fine.
The next morning we tried it again and it was gone again, drives fine but no wipers, windows etc.
Head is wrecked with this, am thinking of bringing it to ford to do a diagnostics on it and take it from there?
Any suggestions.

Henry Ford III

A good auto electrician might get to the root of this quicker and more affordably.

Anan1

Henry Ford III wrote: »

A good auto electrician might get to the root of this quicker and more affordably.

+1, try Hamiltons just off Camden St. Ph:01 4755157.

ford jedi

focus dont give much electrical trouble specially that year id say you just have gem module trouble nothing too crazy specially if a few electrical items are gone down .just out of curiousity are all the doors opening and closing on thecentral locking?

sham69

no central locking is gone aswell.
Might try the place in camden street, thanks all for the replies.
GF is cracking up being stuck at home with the kids all day, seriously need the car back on the road.

sham69

yeah central locking is still working on all doors?

sham69

sorry for the conflicting replies, I thought the central locking was not working but just rang the missus and she said its fine.
Apologies.

ford jedi

thats ok that narrows down alot of faults sounds more gem related so.should be anything too carzy wrong with it.

sham69

so is the place on camden street the best place to bring it?
Any idea how much they charge or what kind of money we are looking at if that is the problem?
Thanks.

Anan1

sham69 wrote: »

so is the place on camden street the best place to bring it?
Any idea how much they charge or what kind of money we are looking at if that is the problem?
Thanks.

I've used them a good few times, and recommended other people too. I find them good, efficient and reasonably-priced. No idea what it might cost but sure give them a call for a chat, see what you think. I think the boss's name is Alan.

sham69

Just another quick update.
GF's uncle had a look at the car yesterday and discovered that one of the relays gets really really hot and is making a strange clicking noise, even when ignition is off.
He disconnected the battery for a day or 2 to check something.
Will report any progress.
Thanks all.