Ford Focus 2011 - won't start out of the blue

LMK

Hi,
Car is in very good condition services regularly ect.
120000Km's so relatively low usage
Drives perfectly normally
This morning I hear a "whine" after starting - approx 8K to destination
This evening on way home - the following
- "whine" still present
- Radio turns itself off/on - after 2-3 mins of starting the journey
- Lights are weak
- ABS light goes on/off - after another 2-3 minutes of the journey
- Power steering is disabled with a the "i" info warning
- Power steering returns for a few minutes
- Home turn off the engine
- Quick check to see if the fan belt is missing - No
- Car won't start now.

Any ideas before I call garage tomorrow

ba_barabus

Is it clicking when you try to start now?

I'd hazard a guess and say your battery is dead but I'd be more interested in why. Sounds like the alternator is goosed.

LMK

Correct its clicking now..
Battery reads 12.2V..

CJhaughey

LMK wrote: »

Correct its clicking now..
Battery reads 12.2V..

That's roughly half charged for a battery, it should read 12.5 or 12.6 if its OK.

ba_barabus

Get the battery tested but I think it needs replacing. It could just be that. My only worry is that it was dieing while driving so I reckon it wasn't being charged by the alternator.

LMK

I'll get it tested - it could just be that I hope - cheers..

CJhaughey

Hook the meter up to the battery and see what it reads, then get someone else to start the car while you watch the meter, it should read 13.8-14.8 while running, now get them to turn on the lights and blower at full speed and it will drop again but should stabilise at 13.8-14.8 or maybe a little less.
If it drops and doesn't rise again it's likely to be the Alternator thats dying, the whine sounds like a bearing in the Alternator going.
These cold days are a great time to be a battery seller.

ION08

Could also be a relay!

Have you tried to get it jump started?

ratracer

Very similar happened to my 2010 Focus just last week, the alternator was shot. Got it replaced/ reconditioned car is going like a watch again!

Alternator here for 09 focus. Got a new battery last year and it seemed to solve it for 2 days. For now I'm just driving around it in cold weather.

LMK

My mechanic reckons it the alternator... I'll drop it off to him once I get it up and going..

rex-x

LMK wrote: »

My mechanic reckons it the alternator... I'll drop it off to him once I get it up and going..

If its the alternator then you wont be able to drive the car, even after a jumpstart. Will be to be towed unfortunately