Focus electrical problem

James Bond Junior

I have an 03 focus which I've had to replace the dipped bulbs in 3 times since christmas. I have just seen they need replacing again. I'm certain they were both fine yesterday but both are blown today. This set can't be more than 2 weeks old.

On a more than likely related issue the battery light comes on occasionally but disappears if I turn the car off and on again. It happened yesterday afternoon but hadn't happened for maybe a week or more previously.

In addition to this if I turn the headlights on or switch from dims to fulls the whole car will occasionally lose power and the engine cuts out for a split second before coming on again. All the lights on the dash come on and switch off again a second later exactly like when you put the key in and turn the ignition. This happened yesterday but hasn't happened again in a week or two.

Sometimes switching between the full beams and dipped can cause the radio to lose power and then come back on seconds later. It's a retrofit Sony unit so takes a second to "load."

I'm pretty sure these issues must all be related? Any ideas as to what is happening the electrics in my car? I will go see an electrical mechanic when possible but wouldn't mind having an idea before I go. Thanks in advance, JB Jr.

kirving

I've disassembled the rotary switch for the headlights a couple of times on those to clean electrical contacts as the spring contact inside wasn't making good contact, meaning that the dash lights didn't come on. Different problem, but may possibly be related a faulty switch that's shorting. Sounds like it's more to do with the full beams though.

James Bond Junior

Ya there's definitely something like a switch shorting. That said my fuses are fine as the problems are momentary.

Even turning the switch on from no lights to dipped can cause the car to cut out in the same way as turning on fulls from dipped. Same with radio. Would cold weather cause electrical issues or is it likely to be just coincidental?

visual

Check battery connections are clean and tight if needed use some fine sand paper to ensure battery pole and battery terminal have a clean matting surface

James Bond Junior

Will give it a go. Could it be as simple as that?

hellyeah

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Will give it a go. Could it be as simple as that?

I reckon your alternator is on the way out. Had similar problem with a 02 focus a few years ago. Sounds like it with your battery light coming on plus blowing bulbs. Simple test with volt meter at garage.

James Bond Junior

I had a niggling thought that it was an alternator alright.. What were your symptoms?

Noccy_Mondy

I've had, well still have the first two problems you stated, the lights and battery light. The battery light comes on randomly and goes if you turn off the car, I've noticed if I turn on the car from cold at night and turn everything on, heaters, lights, radio etc, it'll come on. got the alternator checked, only a new one, and all connections, volt meter to check, everything was fine, so I just ignore the problem now :pac:

With the lights, usually one of the dips goes often enough. Changed the bulbs the first time. For example the drivers dipped went Sunday night. First time driving in night this evening and the dipped light came back about 40 mins into my journey. Both could stay fine for a few weeks before a connection would go again. Have to check that out.

hellyeah

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I had a niggling thought that it was an alternator alright.. What were your symptoms?

Dash lights coming on when driving then going off. Battery light on/off.
Dials going to max then returning to zero. Id say your alternator is over charging battery, hence spike in voltage which could lead to blown bulbs and erratic electrical problems

James Bond Junior

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I've had, well still have the first two problems you stated, the lights and battery light. The battery light comes on randomly and goes if you turn off the car, I've noticed if I turn on the car from cold at night and turn everything on, heaters, lights, radio etc, it'll come on. got the alternator checked, only a new one, and all connections, volt meter to check, everything was fine, so I just ignore the problem now :pac:

With the lights, usually one of the dips goes often enough. Changed the bulbs the first time. For example the drivers dipped went Sunday night. First time driving in night this evening and the dipped light came back about 40 mins into my journey. Both could stay fine for a few weeks before a connection would go again. Have to check that out.

They are definitely blowing. Elements are blown each time. Going to check out the alternator I think. If I can borrow a voltmeter, what am I looking for?

guil

There's a plug with 3 wires on the front of the alternator, if connections there are bad I've being told it can cause problems.

Last year I had similar problems on a 99 focus, battery light was coming on and lights really dimming if I turned on wipers or the heater. I presumed alternator as well but the battery was bamboozled.

Man of Aran

Make sure to check cable condition and connection integrity of all earth leads ( i.e. Battery Negative) and straps on chassis, body and engine too as part of those basic checks before moving to / replacing expensive components.

visual

James Bond Junior wrote:

Will give it a go. Could it be as simple as that?

yes its likely this is your problem if battery connections are poor the alternator voltage will vary causing bulbs to blow and it upsets cars computer systems like dash. its the first check I would do before reading voltage from alternator

James Bond Junior

Will give it a go tomorrow, fingers crossed that's all it is!

Man of Aran

Man of Aran wrote: »

Make sure to check cable condition and connection integrity of all earth leads ( i.e. Battery Negative) and straps on chassis, body and engine too as part of those basic checks before moving to / replacing expensive components.

In addition to the battery check, terminals and earth straps, go back and retrace all steps taken in wiring in that retrofit audio system .... in particular check where +power and - earth are being sourced and terminated respectively, ...it may have dodgy splices and twisted& taped connections that may have been taken from ignition live or tapped via light circuits, relays etc.
What is the timeline on hifi install and electrical problems showing up?
They should have dedicated connections insofar as possible and not piggyback off other circuits.

James Bond Junior

Bought the car in May and hifi was installed when I got it. As were the original bulbs.

I changed the rear wiper motor and disconnected the battery around the same time that these problems started, I think. Going to check the connections tomorrow and change the current bulbs. Anybody familiar with a mk1.5 focus should know it is a painful job!

9935452

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Bought the car in May and hifi was installed when I got it. As were the original bulbs.

I changed the rear wiper motor and disconnected the battery around the same time that these problems started, I think. Going to check the connections tomorrow and change the current bulbs. Anybody familiar with a mk1.5 focus should know it is a painful job!

Make sure to check the voltage from the alternator with the engine running.
It should be 13.8 to 14.2 volts. Ive seen some alternators give out 18 to 20 volts when they fail. First thing you notice is the bulbs blow. Batterys have known to boil as well.

The other thing is if you are changing the bulbs,
1 make sure they are the right bulbs, i changes 7 bulbs in 2 weeks only to find out it was the wrong bulb.
2 make sure they are a good quality bulb, bosch or the like.
3 Some bulbs dont like the oil from your hands , use a tissue when handling the filament/glass

James Bond Junior

Right an update on this situation. I went to an auto electrician who advised changing the battery. I fitted it this afternoon, fitted new bulbs and went for a spin. Battery light came on as it has been the last 3 days running as soon as I got up to speed on the motorway and when I returned I noticed a bulb was blown.

The electrician checked the voltage on the old battery with the car running and it read 14volts leading him to believe the battery was at fault. He then checked the battery and said it was at about 30% charge and even if it wasn't the battery, a new one mightn't be a bad idea as it would be needed sooner rather than later.

I'm going to get it serviced next week and leave it in the garage as I will be out of the country and hopefully they can find something definite like it being the alternator. Beginning to go mad!

9935452

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Right an update on this situation. I went to an auto electrician who advised changing the battery. I fitted it this afternoon, fitted new bulbs and went for a spin. Battery light came on as it has been the last 3 days running as soon as I got up to speed on the motorway and when I returned I noticed a bulb was blown.

The electrician checked the voltage on the old battery with the car running and it read 14volts leading him to believe the battery was at fault. He then checked the battery and said it was at about 30% charge and even if it wasn't the battery, a new one mightn't be a bad idea as it would be needed sooner rather than later.

I'm going to get it serviced next week and leave it in the garage as I will be out of the country and hopefully they can find something definite like it being the alternator. Beginning to go mad!

14volts with the car running is right. Thats in the range of what an alternator working gives out.
A car left overnight with a good battery gives 12.8volts. start it and it should read 13.6 to 14.6

James Bond Junior

In case anybody is interested. I had the alternator refurbed. It was causing the voltage to spike intermittently. Problem solved.