Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem

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Tue 12 Nov 2013 10:05
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - Cloudane

Hi all

I have the infamous speedometer problem on my 2002 1.6 Ford Focus. Speedo drops to 0, engine gets a little "jumpy" etc.

Here's the thing - I bought a brand new speed sensor exactly this time last year and got it replaced (yes it was definitely replaced, I deal with a very honest and trustworthy guy, funnily enough called John. He even gave me the old one back). A year later, same problem.

It only seems to happen in the winter, and usually on wet days, so I'm wondering if the lead coming off it is at fault or something.

Sometimes the odometer goes to ------, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes the yellow skid light comes on, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes the engine management light comes on, sometimes it doesn't. And very occasionally the other needles on the dash will do strange things as well.

Could it be yet another faulty sensor (I don't really fancy getting it changed every year??) or maybe it's more likely to be something else if I've already changed it?

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Tue 12 Nov 2013 10:29
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - Cloudane

Something else (can't find an edit post button), not sure if it's related:

Occasionally when starting the car there will be 5 "ding" sounds. I have no idea what causes this, it seems to be random and doesn't coincide with the speedo fault.

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Tue 12 Nov 2013 12:33
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - Kev111

Looks like you've got yourself the dreaded dash pod failure (instrument cluster), your describing some of the failings of this unit. A faulty sensor fitted by your good man John will not cause the ----- symbol on the dash readout, these things are a pain and expensive new, needless to say after working in the trade for over forty years Ford is completely uninterested as a company in looking after it's customers who purchase it's products. The best thing before it fails altogether is get in touch with one of the few company's that repair your unit and give you a guarantee after the repair.

Regards Kev

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Tue 12 Nov 2013 13:44
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - Cloudane

Ho hum, doesn't sound good. Well it would appear I can get a second hand instrument cluster off fleabay for about £30 and it looks quite easy to change. What concerns me is the mileage meter won't match and looks like it needs special equipment to reset. Now if I could just find what an Arduino or RPi would need to do to masquerade as said special equipment... :)

On a deeper search of the forums it seems the battery is a possibility too?? Sounds a bit of an odd one and I've only seen it mentioned here, plus 'frauds has a lead acid listed as compatible but suppose it's something to think about. It can be very slightly hesitant (2-3 turns) to start at this time of year. Allegedly lead acid batts aren't suitable and it'd need to be calcium (or I guess silver?)

Trying to find out what type my current one is. It's marked EMF 543 025 039 W and is 43Ah and physically quite small.
Edit: Found an excel file that lists it as Ford Silver Calcium. Blows the lead acid theory...

Edited by Cloudane on 12/11/2013 at 13:52

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Wed 13 Nov 2013 16:21
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - Cloudane

I've found the "hidden" dashboard test mode and it seems ok, what I'll do is always start it in the mode where it displays the digital MPH. If ever the readout keeps reading while the needle falls, I guess I can assume it's the dash. If not I'll have to keep thinking.

So far this method has "worked" - it's following Murphy's Law in that I want it to go wrong so I can find out whether the digital reading goes away, so naturally it's been fine ever since.

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Mon 2 Dec 2013 15:09
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - Cloudane

After I sad that, sure enough, for weeks it behaved! Then I got bored of setting the test mode and within a day or two the speedo failed again.

Anyway EVENTUALLY I managed to catch it during a fault and do the test mode and the digital readout also said 0.0000. So I guess it is the sensor again, and not a dash fault.

Pain in the backside, hope I don't have to change it every year. Might take it in to a Ford specialist in case there's anything else as a possible cause.

Edited by Cloudane on 02/12/2013 at 15:10

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Wed 5 Nov 2014 22:16
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - jonk1
I have the same problems too, but when my speedo drops to zero my radio also goes quieter did yours do this as well??
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Thu 5 Dec 2013 17:07
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - springyboy

If you have the corrosion problem on the pcb in the dash cluster then I suspect the symptoms will be erratic . I suffered from this and cured it by cleaning the pcb.

1. Unscrew the 3 screws that hold dash trim in place. Pull out boot lid connection on right ny pushing catch. Pull down and out from trim the plastic bit above steering wheel. Remove trim completely.
2. unscrew 4 screws that hold in instrument console. At the back is an electronic connector. Pull the black holding plactic bit on the connector to the left and the electronic connector pulls out. Remove console completely.
3. Take console inside and remove 5 screws that hold white cover over circuit board, remove and clean. The corrosion will be easy to see, Pull out circuit board. clean it gently, and wipe with WD40 and leave to dry.

4. Remember to put the needles back in the correct positions else you'll have false mph, revs showing.

If you pm me I'll send you pics of when I did mine. Sounds scary but it's not too difficult

Regards and good luck

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Tue 4 Nov 2014 02:01
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - kdunlop

So, I've been researching as I have a similar problem. I have fuel guage reading, but nothing else. I have about 5-6 random lights on. Also, I can't get a reading form my OBDII port. I've had three places try. I ordered a used cluster on ebay, but had the same issues. Did any of you have these issues to? I've unplugged battery to reset too, to no avail. Just looking for some relief. Thanks!

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Tue 4 Nov 2014 06:56
Ford Focus - Focus Speedo Problem - mfarrow

The battery can give problems as suggested and mentioned on here in the past. If you have one you can swap with I'd do that first if not then just buy a new one.

It needs to be the silver type as specified by Ford to work properly with their charging system. Otherwise you could have bought a duff cluster off eBay perhaps.

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