Focus clock fail!

Steven Browne

Hello there everyone hope all is well. I have a 04 focus and the clocks in the dash ( i.e. the speedo fuel gauge etc) have gone absolutely crazy. All the warning lights are on flashing and a beep every ten seconds or so, ( almost like a singing xmas tree). Nothing is working when this happens no fuel gauge milage speed temperate anything.

It has happened to me before about a year to year and a half ago got it seen to and all was well. At the time I got it done the mechanic ( who work in my local ford garage) told me that it was a common fault with my particular model ( mark 1 99-04). He said he cleaned all connections and it seemed to sort it. He also told me that it might never be a problem again or it could happen as I was driving home from his place, and if it did the only solution was to get a new set of clocks. Which are around €500 or so which I can get the milage put back onto it i.e. what is currently on my own in working clocks (which I can just about remember before they decided to take there xmas holidays).

I am wondering if anyone on here has had this happen to there car or is it just my luck ( I am the definition of Murphys law). Any help/advice/solution would be greatly appreciated as I can't really afford to replace the clocks at the moment. The NCT is not due until July so not a major rush on solution needed as I have a little bit of time to try sort.

Once again thanks in advance. Any and all input is appreciated.

Special Circumstances

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057100437

Loose plugs on fusebox / gem module?
Passenger footwell, under glovebox.

Just a guess. There are good fordd experts on here who should be able to point you in the right direction!

TheBody

This happened with my focus. My mechanic simply disconnected the battery leads for a few minutes and then re-connected them. I guess it's like plugging it out and back in again. Simple as that!!

He didn't even charge me for it!:)

Worth trying it to see if it works for you.

Stoolbend

Special Circumstances wrote: »

http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057100437

Loose plugs on fusebox / gem module?
Passenger footwell, under glovebox.

Just a guess. There are good fordd experts on here who should be able to point you in the right direction!

This would be for the newer shape focus. 05 on model.

Stoolbend

You could get a second hand unit. Focus are pretty common so you may even get one with close enough the same mileage.

mullingar

Get in touch with kc systems in cork, if it's fixable, they'll fix it.

martinr5232

It is a common problem on the focus but they can be repaired George Dalton gave someone the name of a place that repairs them if you do a search on here you will find if or George might be along.

Steven Browne

I'll give that a try tomorrow and see how it goes have nothing to lose thanks

Steven Browne

martinr5232 wrote:

It is a common problem on the focus but they can be repaired George Dalton gave someone the name of a place that repairs them if you do a search on here you will find if or George might be along.

Thanks I'll have a search through and see if I can find it. You don't happen to remember the name of the post??

JohnBoy26

Special Circumstances wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057100437

Loose plugs on fusebox / gem module?
Passenger footwell, under glovebox.

Just a guess. There are good fordd experts on here who should be able to point you in the right direction!

Water can get in there too and corrode the inside of the box. It would more than likely cause other issues as well if it was the box. It's more than likely the instrument cluster though. They can be refurbished and for a fraction of what a new cluster costs afaik

Whyohwhy?

If it's the original radio make sure you have/know the code before you disconnect the battery.

JohnBoy26

Stoolbend wrote: »

This would be for the newer shape focus. 05 on model.

The mk1 has a fuse box down the passengers side too.

martinr5232

JohnBoy26 wrote:

Water can get in there too and corrode the inside of the box. It would more than likely cause other issues as well if it was the box. It's more than likely the instrument cluster though. They can be refurbished and for a fraction of what a new cluster costs afaik

That is in the newer shape focus as in 05 on.

martinr5232

JohnBoy26 wrote:

The mk1 has a fuse box down the passengers side too.

It does but what you are thinking of is water ingress into the gem module which doesnt effect the mk 2 focus

JohnBoy26

martinr5232 wrote: »

It does but what you are thinking of is water ingress into the gem module which doesnt effect the mk 2 focus

Ya it's the gem module I'm talking about. Being a 2004 the op's car is a mk1 I presume?

JohnBoy26

martinr5232 wrote: »

That is in the newer shape focus as in 05 on.

What is? Water ingress? It effects the mk1 too.

Steven Browne

JohnBoy26 wrote:

Ya it's the gem module I'm talking about. Being a 2004 the op's car is a mk1 I presume?

Yup it is a mk1 model

martinr5232

JohnBoy26 wrote:

What is? Water ingress? It effects the mk1 too.

Never seen it being common and it wouldnt cause the symptoms the op is talking about.

JohnBoy26

martinr5232 wrote: »

Never seen it being common and it wouldnt cause the symptoms the op is talking about.

It does happen. Maybe it's not very common. It happened mine though and I know of three others it happened to. When I went to get another box at the breakers about half of the ones I seen had some degree of water damage. It supposedly enters through the pollen filter housing. I sealed mine and had no issues afterwards.

I don't think it's the box either but It can cause the issues the op is talking about but it would also usually effect other things too. I think the instrument cluster is more than likely the cause in this case.

Steven Browne

JohnBoy26 wrote:

I don't think it's the box either but It can cause the issues the op is talking about but it would also usually effect other things too. I think the instrument cluster is more than likely the cause in this case.

I think your right about the problem being the instrument cluster. I got in contact with George Dalton and he recommended to use kc systems in cork. Or to try clean the circuit board first.

Steven Browne

Thank you to everyone for replying I have a few options to try now over the Christmas I'll keep you posted on how I get on, if I sort it or if I'll have to change the clocks/panel. I'll know more before the year is out. Once again thanks for the advice.

Steven Browne

Hello everyone hope you had a good Christmas. This is an update on my problem.

I took out the clocks/panel and cleaned all the contact point with a toothbrush and some contact spray. It seems to have done the trick (so far anyway). The only problem I have left is the fuel gauge is not working. I have filled the car with petrol but the gauge is not reading it at all, when I turn on the car the fuel light stays on and the "hand" stays on the empty mark. I don't know if this is a result of what I have done or if a sensor has failed or what has happened. But all in all I have the speed back and the temperature gauge back so at least I can fill up every few hundred miles or so.

I also checked the fuse box and the relays while I was at it and all seems to be dry and functional. I did spray with more contact cleaner spray just to be sure.

Thanks for the suggestions/problem solving ye gave seems to have righted most of my problems.

If any advice/suggestions about the fuel gauge would like to hear them as it might be something simple.