Engine light on 2001 Ford Focus

anndub

Engine check light came on last Sunday. Reset it by removing fuse. Car seems to be running as normal all week but light has just come on again.

Anyone know where I can get the fault code checked for free? Dont want to be ripped off.

Drummerboy08

Nobody will do anything for free for you, sure why would they?

It could be the high tension leads in the engine bay - sometimes they knock off each other which causes the engine light to come on. It's a common enough problem with the Focus.

Hal1

The CHT sensor has a cable between the spark plugs. If that makes contact with the HT leads it can cause power fluctuations (arcing) and may be causing the eml light to come on. Keep them separate.

shawnee

Had an 02 focus diesel, engine light came on intermittently. Checked oil and coolant and all okay. Spoke with mechanic during service and he said it was a common problem and as long as it was running okay and not overheating and fluids were okay, Don't worry

Nonoperational

shawnee wrote: »

Had an 02 focus diesel, engine light came on intermittently. Checked oil and coolant and all okay. Spoke with mechanic during service and he said it was a common problem and as long as it was running okay and not overheating and fluids were okay, Don't worry

Meh... you'd still like to know why it's coming on.

anndub

Both times this has happened the spedometer has also stopped working (showing 0mph when I'm travelling at 60mph) and the millage display has disappeared. Volume on radio also reduced. Im wondering if it could be a problem with the electrics??

Going to arrange a service first off anyway, work from there

Hal1

anndub wrote: »

Both times this has happened the spedometer has also stopped working (showing 0mph when I'm travelling at 60mph) and the millage display has disappeared. Volume on radio also reduced. Im wondering if it could be a problem with the electrics??

Going to arrange a service first off anyway, work from there

There is a speed sensor on the front of the gearbox which is known to cause this fault.

Drummerboy08

Hal1 wrote: »

There is a speed sensor on the front of the gearbox which is known to cause this fault.

Na, this is the leads in the engine bay hitting each other, its happened to mine a few times before. Just secure the leads with cable ties and problem solved.

guil

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Na, this is the leads in the engine bay hitting each other, its happened to mine a few times before. Just secure the leads with cable ties and problem solved.

secure them to what though

Drummerboy08

guil wrote: »

secure them to what though

Anything, just as long as they cant touch each other.

They're secured in a clip from the factory but after a while it becomes very easy for the cables to slip out, knocking off one and other. I just put them back into the clips and wrapped the cable tie around the lead and clip. They havent moved since.

lifer_sean

anndub wrote: »

Both times this has happened the spedometer has also stopped working (showing 0mph when I'm travelling at 60mph) and the millage display has disappeared. Volume on radio also reduced. Im wondering if it could be a problem with the electrics??

Going to arrange a service first off anyway, work from there

Have seen problems with erratic behaviour of the instruments on this model Focus, coupled with engine management light on. Common problem is corrosion on the circuit board in the instrument cluster. Dismantle and brush full surface with a soft brush (I used tooth brush) and problem is fixed. Cleaning with industrial alcohol / IPA is better if you have access to some.

+1 on the HT leads running beside the temp sensor wiring, per previous poster. Use cable ties to keep HT leads away from std wiring.

anndub

So my engine isn't going to explode on the M50 any morning soon? That's a relief.

This is probably a stupid question but where do I find the instrument cluster if I am to clean it?

Hal1

anndub wrote: »

So my engine isn't going to explode on the M50 any morning soon? That's a relief.

This is probably a stupid question but where do I find the instrument cluster if I am to clean it?

How to guide here be careful when lifting it out.