Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start.

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Sat 2 Mar 2019 18:11
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - dac1

Hi,

I have a Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol. I've had it 8 years and it's done 90k miles.

I have the oil changed every year (every 10k miles) but never bothered with the other serviceable items (air filter, spark plugs, etc..). The oil was last changed March '18.

Two weeks after that oil change I started my car to return home after a long day out. Upon starting the engine (area) made a loud rattling noise so after about three seconds I turned the engine off. When starting the engine again it started fine and the long journey home was fine. About a month after that (April '18), again starting my car for the journey home after a day out my car wouldn't start and the Powertrain light was on (red cog with exclamation mark). I turned the ignition off and left it for 10 minutes. When starting the car 10 minutes later the car started and the journey home was fine.
For the next 8 months (Apr-Nov'18) the two separate issues (well to me they're separate) happened roughly once each per month and not occurring at the same time, the same, or even on the same week. Then from Dec'18-Jan'19 the Powertrain light starting occurring about once per fortnight, whilst the rattling still occurred no more than once per month.

This past fortnight the rattling hasn't occurred, so that particular issue isn't becoming more frequent but the Powertrain light is happening almost daily. Fast forward to today, I started the car up fine this morning and drove it for ten minutes, no problems whatsoever. I pulled up at home, switched the ignition off, gave it 20 seconds and attempted to start it again. Guess what?... Powertrain light came on, the car wouldn't start and, for the first time, the mileage disappeared and were replaced by dashes.

I have read up on these issues via the net and the symptoms seem common place with Ford cars but the cause is varied. Most have noticed a loss in power but I have no noticed any loss of power or any lesser performance.
I should also say that the majority of times the Powertrain light appears the car still starts and drives normally. I would say that about 1 in 5 Powertrain light occurrences the car wouldn't start. I will also say that when the car doesn't start the car tries to start but there just seems to be no spark (ignition) so I would say the battery is fine but maybe the spark plugs... And one final thing, on the days the Powertrain light is on I find my immobiliser light flashing repeatedly in a fast pattern and then goes to normal after about 5 minutes, the Powertrain always stays on for the full journey until I switch the engine off. The next morning it is usually fine.

Please can someone shed some light on what's occurring with my car? I'm aware that it may need some diagnostics test but, after reading many forums, I'm reluctant to part with £100 just to be told they can't diagnose it, or worse, propose a costly repair that doesn't fix the problem (as some have experienced).

This is what I'm doing in order to attempt to rule out some things myself.
1) The car battery is currently on charge to see if giving it a full charge will cure the problem.
2) Whilst the battery is out of the car, and will be for a few days, the PCM (and other chips) will hopefully reset themselves. I've read this can fix it due to faulty sensors.
3) I will be placing four new spark plugs in the car when the battery goes back in. I've read this is a possible fix - actually my car does seem to take a little longer to fire up and it isn't cold either.
4) I have an oil/filter change booked for next weekend (in case somehow the oil change in Mar'18 was the catalyst for all this - as the symptoms occurred less than one month after that oil change).
5) Pull out and plug in the two plugs under the engine's fuse box. I've read that the wiring could be playing havoc with the sensors.

Failing this, then maybe the starter motor but I can't do that myself and it maybe costly and to no avail.
I have my MOT in a months time and concerned it will be failed due to the Powertrain light showing, that's if it does show on the day of the test. I will get it fixed as it becoming more frequent but I can't afford for my car to fail its MOT.

I know it's a lot to read but I wanted to give you a good understanding of the events.

Your thoughts and suggestions will be very much appreciated?!?!

Thanks in advance.

Edited by dac1 on 02/03/2019 at 18:13

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Sat 2 Mar 2019 18:28
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - elekie&a/c doctor
The intermittent non start condition is caused by a fault in the instrument cluster. Common fault on this age of Focus. When the fault occurs, give the top of the dashboard a sharp thump .This usually restores functions. Plenty of companies repair these for around £150 ish . Ford main dealer will want nearer £1k.
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Sun 3 Mar 2019 13:10
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - dac1

Thanks for the reply.
Having searched the net on your suggestion it sure does look like that could be the culprit - thanks!

I understand that Ford were doing a fixed rate £99 repair on these after Watchdog got involved but don't any longer. I've also seen many a video of repairing it yourself by re-soldering the 36 pins on the back of the instrument cluster. It doesn't seem too difficult so I'll attempt it myself.

There is another symptom that is so minor but, based on your suggestion, could be a factor. Very often when I start the car the speedometer, rev-counter, temp, and fuel gauges 'wobble' (for a want of a better term) just for a few seconds when the car is switched on. It's like they are trying to get into the position to indicate the car's temp, idle revs, etc... but seem to stick (wobble) for a couple of seconds before moving to their positions.
Plus, a few times, only a handful, the clock (clock radio) time sticks. In that I mean, I'll turn on the car and the time is 10:00am, I'll drive for 45 minutes but the clock still says 10:00am. I have to turn on the radio for the clock to catch up with itself and show the right time.

With this added info, does it sound even more like a instrument cluster fault?
Thanks.

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Sun 3 Mar 2019 19:01
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - elekie&a/c doctor

The dash repair for £99 from Ford was for the previous model Focus ,up to 2005. I think the main problem you have is with the dash pod solder joints. You need a good fine tip soldering iron and a steady hand to do this job. just be warned that if you damage the pcb ,you could end up with a dead car. You cant fit a s/hand pod as it is "married " to the car. The second fault with a wobble on the needles and the clock resetting ,could be a problem with the battery being in a low state of charge.

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Sun 3 Mar 2019 19:26
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - dac1
Can you link a diagram of the dash pod solder joints so I can sure what you are referring to? Is it the 32 small solder points (in 2 lines of 16)?

Oh so the wobble could be a different problem. Do you feel the Powertrain intermittent light appearing/start up fault could be related to the battery too? Maybe I should replace battery before I remove the instrument cluster?
Also what is the PCB - just to be sure?
Thanks.
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Sun 3 Mar 2019 21:56
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - galileo
Can you link a diagram of the dash pod solder joints so I can sure what you are referring to? Is it the 32 small solder points (in 2 lines of 16)? Oh so the wobble could be a different problem. Do you feel the Powertrain intermittent light appearing/start up fault could be related to the battery too? Maybe I should replace battery before I remove the instrument cluster? Also what is the PCB - just to be sure? Thanks.

PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board, i.e. the flat bit with all the bits soldered to it.

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Sun 3 Mar 2019 22:17
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - elekie&a/c doctor

I would replace the battery first. I would get the dash repaired by specialist ;www.clusterrepairsuk.co.uk/repair/make/ford

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Wed 6 Mar 2019 12:43
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - dac1

Thank you.
Okay, so this is the plan of action.
1) Install four new spark plugs. What should be the gap of the spark plug? Will I need to set it before I install or leave it as they come? Is a credit card thickness good enough for the gap?
I've purchased the below as the store manager told me they will fit, however the online chat are saying they won't. If you can confirm if they will fit my car or not that would be most helpful?
https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Ford_Focus_1.6_2005/p/car-parts/regular-service/car-service-parts/spark-plugs/?408772090&1&1c217bd2cf18393684970eb6ae8940f43593d1fc&000301

2) Replace the engine air filter with a new one.

3) My car battery has been removed from my car for a whole week come the time I look to install it again. I will charge it overnight (15 hours) before the day I install it. This should give it full charge so to see it if it helps. If I do need a new battery is the make 'LION' any good and they are alot cheaper than the likes of Bosch?

4) Later in the day after I've done 1-3, I will take my car to a chain tyre shop and have my oil/filter replaced with the use of engne flush just for good measure.

5) Whilst I have the oil done I will ask them to check my battery's health. Considering the night before it will have been on charge for 15 hours it should show as healthy. If it shows under 12.6v or under 13.x when running then I can take it that the battery needs replacing. Are they able to check my alternator too?

As for the dashboard's PCB, well I will take it out and have a look. If I feel I can do it then I will have a go otherwise I send it off for repair. I've also purchased one of these cheap OBD2 readers. I'll pair it with Torque and see what that highlights (if anything). All this will come after steps 1-5.

Thanks.

Edited by dac1 on 06/03/2019 at 13:13

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Wed 6 Mar 2019 16:21
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - sammy1

I think you are wasting your time and money on these service items which will make NO difference to the fundamental reason the car will not start!

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Wed 6 Mar 2019 16:25
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - dac1

What do you suggest I do?

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Wed 6 Mar 2019 16:28
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - elekie&a/c doctor
#1 replace battery . #2 get dash repaired. It can’t get any easier.
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Wed 6 Mar 2019 17:01
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - dac1

elekie&a/c doctor - I will do. It's just sammy1 has suggested I shoudn't bother with the serviceable items and I'm wondering what is his/her take on it?

I'm just interested to see if the tyre place indicates the battery is dying when they measure/check it especially after it will have been on charge for 15 hours the previous night. If they turn around and say the battery is fine I'll be puzzled, I'm hoping they will fault it.

I will sort the PCB. Again, just wondering if the serviceable items will resolve the issue. If not I will resort to fixing the PCB.

So all in all I will get to the battery and PCB if the others don't fix my problem(s).

Also, as the engine air filter and spark plugs haven't been changed in 7 years (60k miles) and the oil in a year (10k miles), wouldn't you advise I get these replaced anyway?

Thanks.

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Wed 6 Mar 2019 18:24
Ford Focus 2006 (Mk2) LX 1.6 Petrol - Rattling, Powertrain light and won't start. - sammy1

You need to get the car running in a satisfactory way and THEN service it. IF you cannot get it running you will have wasted your money on the service items So the dash problem remains your first priority as suggested by other people

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