Ford Focus what could this problem be ?

[kippax]

We have just got my wife a Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec & when you are changing gear it sounds like you are still holding the accelerator down when your not?.
The problem seems to be that it takes some time for the revs to fall when you take your foot off the accelerator. Anyone have any idea of what could cause this ? (Pedal isn't sticking on mats or anything obvious) It is a w reg 2000 model with high miles (94k)but doesn't seem like a clutch issue to me?
Any advise on possible cause greatly appreciated.

Thanks
H

[dugt]

is it cable throttle?

i had this on my car and the outer cable was knackered so maybe worth looking at it or replacing it just in case

doug

[J111]

Sticky throttle cable, most likely.

[kippax]

J111 said:

Sticky throttle cable, most likely.

Thanks is this a mechanic job or can a numpty do it?

H


PS If a mechanic job is it big money or not?

[Hooli]

try the easy bits first, spray the pivot on the pedal with WD40 & the same for the moving bits at the other end of the cable on the engine.
no experience of those cars but cables are normally just a bit fiddly rather than hard to replace. do keep track of how it goes past everything when you pull the old one out though.

[ChristianZS]

I have this on my 1.6 16v zetec. It was the IACV. Its on the front right hand side of the engine.. Sticky out round thing with a square bit and a connector on the bottom. Its got two bolts either side.

I asked the grease monkey at the bottom of the road who promptly handed me a nearly empty can of carb cleaner and told me to unplug it, unscrew it, squirt some of this in it.. jiggle it around and let it dry out totally(doesnt take too long) and then re-fit it. Touch wood so far it has cured it and this was a while ago. If it is so bad it may need replacing but that should sort it.

[J111]

I think 'numpty' is several degrees more mechanically competent than I am, and I managed it, on a '99 Zetec, with the Haynes manual and a fair bit of swearing. The cable can't have been expensive, as I was absolutely broke at the time and I don't remember it being painfully costly.

Afaik, if the IACV goes, idle's usually all over the place.

[kippax]

ChristianZS said:

I have this on my 1.6 16v zetec. It was the IACV. Its on the front right hand side of the engine.. Sticky out round thing with a square bit and a connector on the bottom. Its got two bolts either side.

I asked the grease monkey at the bottom of the road who promptly handed me a nearly empty can of carb cleaner and told me to unplug it, unscrew it, squirt some of this in it.. jiggle it around and let it dry out totally(doesnt take too long) and then re-fit it. Touch wood so far it has cured it and this was a while ago. If it is so bad it may need replacing but that should sort it.

Any pictures of this "Sticky out round thing with a square bit and a connector on the bottom" greatly appreciated!!

H

[igiveup]

It could be the TPS, it was on mine, All I did was take it off give it a clean with some compressed air then <technical term> wiggled it around abit</technical term> and put it back on.

Not had a problem since, apart form having to change the coil pack and ht leads (not releated.)

Also a 1.8 Zetec 200 model

[kippax]

igiveup said:

It could be the TPS, it was on mine, All I did was take it off give it a clean with some compressed air then <technical term> wiggled it around abit</technical term> and put it back on.

Not had a problem since, apart form having to change the coil pack and ht leads (not releated.)

Also a 1.8 Zetec 200 model

WTF is a TPS ??

H

[ChristianZS]

kippax said:

igiveup said:

It could be the TPS, it was on mine, All I did was take it off give it a clean with some compressed air then <technical term> wiggled it around abit</technical term> and put it back on.

Not had a problem since, apart form having to change the coil pack and ht leads (not releated.)

Also a 1.8 Zetec 200 model

WTF is a TPS ??

H

Throttle Position Sensor?



Sorry its not right good! Its quite dark outside now!

Edited by ChristianZS on Tuesday 18th March 22:30

[igiveup]

Yep the Throttle Position Sensor.

Follow the air intake to the throttle. On the right hand side of the throttle housing is a little black plug bolted to the housing. It has a couple of wires connected to it. Held in by 2 hex screws. Unscrew and give it a good gentle clean. Put a flat head screw drive in the bit that connects to the butterfly spindle and give it a gentle twist from side to side.

Then put it back, be careful as if not lined up properly it could snap when you do up the bolts again.

If this doesn't cure it then it will be probably be the IACV as described above.

[kippax]

ChristianZS said:

kippax said:

igiveup said:

It could be the TPS, it was on mine, All I did was take it off give it a clean with some compressed air then <technical term> wiggled it around abit</technical term> and put it back on.

Not had a problem since, apart form having to change the coil pack and ht leads (not releated.)

Also a 1.8 Zetec 200 model

WTF is a TPS ??

H

Throttle Position Sensor?



Sorry its not right good! Its quite dark outside now!

Edited by ChristianZS on Tuesday 18th March 22:30

I have been trying to locate this sensor using this picture but to no avail! The dipstick seems to me to be in a different position to mine? (Mine is at front of engine bay next to exhaust manifold)
Anyone with a better picture for a numpty?

H

[ChristianZS]

It could well be in a different place as this is on a 2001 Fiesta Zetec-S . Might be worth trying a Focus specific forum. That is on the front right hand side of the engine. Mine is only silver because its been off a few times for a quick clean!

[kippax]

Cleaning the TPS didn't work (looked new already)Looks like i've found the IACV but it seems virtually impossible to get to so it looks like it may have to go to a garage after all!!

H

[ChristianZS]

kippax said:

Cleaning the TPS didn't work (looked new already)Looks like i've found the IACV but it seems virtually impossible to get to so it looks like it may have to go to a garage after all!!

H

get the ratchet in an have a stab where abouts is it?

[kippax]

I have spoken to Ford who want £88 + vat to diagnose what the problem is before sorting it? Anyone know of anywhere cheaper who has the diagnostic equipment etc in Warrington area?

H

[RWA28]

Not read through thoroughly so someone may have said this but this problem (on Vauxhalls) with revs staying high (and sometimes going up and down at idle) was usually down to the throttle control valve, not sure what it's called on a Ford though! It was just a case of giving it a good clean.

[mikeyr]

hmm, blatant thread hijack here but our v reg 1.8 Zetec sometimes idles at over 2k when you stop in traffic but its somewhat intermittent - gets some looks from people who assume you are revving the nuts of it!

then when you pull away its fine again, it this likely to be a similiar issue?

[Dogwatch]

Perhaps you should sign up to the FFOC

Lot less than £80.