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Ford Focus 2005 TD - intermittent loss of engine power - FloraJane

At any time when driving, all dashboard lights come on and engine loses all power though keeps running, then all goes back to normal after a few seconds or so: then it may or may not do it again. Also intermittently, engine won't start and again all dashboard lights are on: if the car is rocked, it will start, sometimes immediately, sometimes after several rockings. This began about 3 months ago after turbo pressure hose was replaced though garage say there is no link between the problems.

Garage has checked, sprayed and tightened main connections to multi plug in passenger pillar and also one behind dashboard; found a bare wire shorting to engine and replaced all glow plugs.

Am getting desperate as car is unsafe to drive and garage say there's nothing much more they can do so help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ford Focus 2005 TD - intermittent loss of engine power - MikeTorque

Is this a mk1 or mk2 Focus ?

TDDi or TDCi ?

Engine size ?

Does the steering feel heavier than it use to ?

Have they run diagnostics and if so does it show any DTC codes or errors ?

Do the speedo and rev dials go from 0 to max and back again when the panel lights come on ?

Ford Focus 2005 TD - intermittent loss of engine power - FloraJane

At any time when driving, all dashboard lights come on and engine loses all power though keeps running, then all goes back to normal after a few seconds or so: then it may or may not do it again. Also intermittently, engine won't start and again all dashboard lights are on: if the car is rocked, it will start, sometimes immediately, sometimes after several rockings. This began about 3 months ago after turbo pressure hose was replaced though garage say there is no link between the problems.

Garage has checked, sprayed and tightened main connections to multi plug in passenger pillar and also one behind dashboard; found a bare wire shorting to engine and replaced all glow plugs.

Am getting desperate as car is unsafe to drive and garage say there's nothing much more they can do so help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry, don't know if Focus is Mk1 or Mk 2(it's at garage), registered April 05

Engine size 1560cc

Model LX TDci

Steering does not feel any heavier

Diagnostics shows many errors which garage say had multiplug in passenger pillar in common. Ford advised them to spray it and tighten connections, also to multiplug behind dashboard. After this was done, car hesitated when driving but no impact on dashboard lights or engine powe : glow plugs then replaced, car still hesitating but car now back to original problem

Speedo & rev dials do not go over to max then fall but just pick up at whatever speed/revs car is at.

Ford Focus 2005 TD - intermittent loss of engine power - MikeTorque

It sounds like it's a Focus mk2 1.6 TDCi LX 110ps.

Have they reinstalled the engine management software at any time ?
If the software has become corrupted as a result of electrical shorting then anything can happen.

The existing DTC error codes need clearing out before progress further diagnostics testing, if then any other DTC code is produced there is more chance of finding a fault trigger.

Other things that come to mind are a possible dashboard fault, electrical wiring/circuit issue, but you'd need an electrician to run diagnostics over sections of the electronics to ascertain if there is a fault.

Ford Focus 2005 TD - intermittent loss of engine power - FloraJane

It sounds like it's a Focus mk2 1.6 TDCi LX 110ps.

Have they reinstalled the engine management software at any time ?
If the software has become corrupted as a result of electrical shorting then anything can happen.

The existing DTC error codes need clearing out before progress further diagnostics testing, if then any other DTC code is produced there is more chance of finding a fault trigger.

Other things that come to mind are a possible dashboard fault, electrical wiring/circuit issue, but you'd need an electrician to run diagnostics over sections of the electronics to ascertain if there is a fault.

The fault codes were cleared from initial problem; new fault codes indicated glow plugs which were replaced. Pretty certain that engine management software has not been replaced but will check. Ford advised garage to spray multiplug behind dashboard (special spray, I was told). Will also ask if electrician has run diagnostics over electronics.

The delay in my response to you was because of loss of internet due to fault at BT exchange!

Ford Focus 2005 TD - intermittent loss of engine power - MikeTorque

That's ok no worries, post when you are able and have the info available, thanks.