Ford Focus 2005 Dashboard Problem

[Skirmisheer]

Hi All
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.

After five years of ownership circumstances forced me to buy another car, a Peugeot 307 SW. This means that I'm about to sell my beloved Ford Focus 2005 1.6 Zetec which has been great during the time I've had it.

Yesterday I started cleaning it all up ready to photograph for Autotrader. Today, I tried to start it and the electrics were dead, not even enough power to run the radio. The battery is not that old so should be fine. I charged the battery up and it did then start up. The problem though is that the speedometer needle has moved to about 50mph and the water temp gauge to hot even though the engine had just started. Turning the engine off left the needles in these positions. I even removed the battery terminals and the needles remained in their positions.

This is obviously very annoying as I'm wanting to sell the car but I could be faced with an unexpected bill.

I'd be very grateful therefore if anyone can advise what may be wrong or what action to take.

Thanks in advance.

David

[BigDaveTheMighty]

Is a 2005 a mark two? If it is, it might be worth trying the following.

1. Put the key in the ignition, but don't turn it.
2. Before you turn the key, hold down the trip reset button.
3. Keeping the button held, start the car

The dash should then perform a gauge sweep. This might help to reset the dash.

Subsequent presses of the trip button then cycle through different diagnostics on the odometer. Turn the car off to exit the diagnostic mode.

I don't know whether this'll help as I've not had the same problem, but it's what I'd do if the same happened to mine.

[Skirmisheer]

Thanks for the reply. I did exactly what you say and it has worked.
I have since been told by a Ford technician that a low battery can make to dials do what they did. I've since given the battery a full trickle charge and so far it seems fine. Can't work out why the battery had discharged but maybe I'd left something on and didnt realise.

Car now photographed and ready to list on Autotrader. Shame it has to go as it's a far nicer car to drive than the 307.

[BigDaveTheMighty]

Good stuff. Glad to hear it worked!

[alangla]

BigDaveTheMighty said:

1. Put the key in the ignition, but don't turn it.
2. Before you turn the key, hold down the trip reset button.
3. Keeping the button held, start the car

The dash should then perform a gauge sweep. This might help to reset the dash.

Subsequent presses of the trip button then cycle through different diagnostics on the odometer. Turn the car off to exit the diagnostic mode.

Or go for a drive with the digi-speedo on & marvel at how the cruise control really can maintain speed to 0.1mph, regardless of gradient!