Strange Ford Fiesta problem
Strange Ford Fiesta problem
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Discussion

RAMX29

Original Poster:

6 posts

134 months

Friday 9th January 2015
quotequote all
My Car,

2000 Ford Fiesta Finesse 1.3 Endura

So the other day my car wouldnt start and the gauges were going Crazy. Ticking noise coming from the fuse box and the starter motor didnt engage. So i assumed it was the battery so I replaced it.

Everything is working fine but the car would sometimes randomly cut out.

First the power steering would fail and then the engine would just stop but all my lights would stay on and window wipers would continue as they normally would.

The only sign i get is the battery light flickers.

I assumed it was the alternator. So i done a test on the battery.

When engine is off - 12.5V

When engine is idle - 14V

When EVERYTHING is turned on (lights, wipers, fog lights etc)- 13.4V

So by this it wouldnt be wrong to say that the alternator was working properely.

Also, I got stuck in a car park because the engine wouldnt engage. The starter motor was going like hell but it wouldnt start. Inspection of the spark plugs showed that they had black dust on them and they were dry with no inclination of fuel going into the engine.

Waited for 5 minutes and then the car started faultlessely and got me home with only cutting out like previously stated twice. After the two cut out that were about 10 seconds between eachother, there were no more cut outs and the car ran smoothly and responsively.

The only thing I can think of is that the engine coolent temperature sensor has failed.

Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated as this issue has been bugging me and I just want my reliable little ford back.

S0 What

3,358 posts

195 months

Friday 9th January 2015
quotequote all
I would be changing the ign switch or at least checking it with a meter whilst the problem is there, also IF the car has an ign relay (dont think it does) change that but TBH with the starter continuing to run i'd start with the switch.

RAMX29

Original Poster:

6 posts

134 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice.

The car has now stopped cutting out and started running normal again. Like nothing has happened. I just dont want this to start again

Ill try your advice and get back to you.