Ford Focus Mk2 [ST] Estate Sleeper - Build Thread

[bmthnick1981]

Excellent project

[colinevan]

Really enjoyed reading this. Admire people who have the balls and passion to actually have a go. I have a mint mondeo Zetec s V6 that popped its head gasket last month and its sat off the road and I'd love to do something with it as although not quite sleeper material it's got potential .

Well done and can't wait to see it finished.

[CHR15 G]

Thanks for all the great feedback, it really does mean a lot to me.

[CHR15 G]

A couple of related updates to the project. The Clio has hit 100k miles, 45k in my ownership over the last two and a half years! I really wanted the project to been done before this mileage milestone, but hopefully won't be long.



In other, sadder, news the Focus has died. After 14 years of faithful service to the family it finally succumbed to the rust.

[CHR15 G]

In project related news...

New dash and wiring is in and everything is connected up. It was a fairly straight forward task in the end, once it was in position is was just a case of doing up the bolts and plugging in all the electrical connectors which are all different to aid assembly. Put the key in and turn it to the first position...



Whereas before nothing came on at all. So turn the key to the second position and... nothing changes apart from getting this message:



Basically this means that the two parts of the PATS (immobiliser system) aren't talking to each other. This was unexpected and I'm not sure what to try next...

So I decided to fit the new drivers seat so at least I have somewhere nice to sit whilst pondering my next move (and it's easier to bleed the clutch/brakes whilst waiting for the car to fix itself).

[anonymous-user]

I know when I have issues on ecu changes I just got the immobiliser removed from the ecu to solve the problem, but dont know fords. And it would leave your car immobiliser free which can be a good and bad thing.

[CHR15 G]

The Spruce goose said:

I know when I have issues on ecu changes I just got the immobiliser removed from the ecu to solve the problem, but dont know fords. And it would leave your car immobiliser free which can be a good and bad thing.

I've already removed a top of the range Clifford alarm system, which took about three minutes with a pair of snips...

Unfortunately the Ford immobiliser is embedded in the engine ECU

[KarlMac]

CHR15 G said:

I've already removed a top of the range Clifford alarm system, which took about three minutes with a pair of snips...

Unfortunately the Ford immobiliser is embedded in the engine ECU

Does your budget stretch to using a Syvecs? Would be useful for 400bhp ambitions too

[BOBTEE]

Silly question but... you are using the key from the ST aren't you? Transponder ring in place and plugged in?

[Sf_Manta]

It might need a reset on the OBC to get the modules talking to each other again. Or it might be a case of getting a mobile mechnaic out with their OBC reader / clearer to try and reset it.

[CHR15 G]

BOBTEE said:

Silly question but... you are using the key from the ST aren't you? Transponder ring in place and plugged in?

Valid question, everything between the key and the starter motor has been swaped to ST parts, including the complete steering column.

[anonymous-user]

i know you said ford ecus are hardwired but if yoyu are stumped i used this company in the past, good service.

http://ecutechnologies.co.uk/

[Megaflow]

CHR15 G said:

BOBTEE said:

Silly question but... you are using the key from the ST aren't you? Transponder ring in place and plugged in?

Valid question, everything between the key and the starter motor has been swaped to ST parts, including the complete steering column.

A random thought, you did start the ST before you stripped it? As in you are sure this is a problem or your doing rather than you have been sold a duff car / given the wrong keys / etc.

[CHR15 G]

KarlMac said:

Does your budget stretch to using a Syvecs? Would be useful for 400bhp ambitions too

Yes and no. Right know I want it up and running as simply and cheaply as possible, but eventually I want to build a 400bhp engine with all new internals and a system like the Syvecs.

[CHR15 G]

Sf_Manta said:

It might need a reset on the OBC to get the modules talking to each other again. Or it might be a case of getting a mobile mechnaic out with their OBC reader / clearer to try and reset it.

I had thought this, so tried to plug my OBD2 into it and it wouldn't register, so I doubled checked it on another Ford and was fine.

It's almost like of the car is left/ECU unplugged then it forgets the info...but this would be a really stupid system!

[CHR15 G]

The Spruce goose said:

i know you said ford ecus are hardwired but if yoyu are stumped i used this company in the past, good service.

http://ecutechnologies.co.uk/

That sounds like a very good company to know about, I'll keep them in mind.

[CHR15 G]

Megaflow said:

A random thought, you did start the ST before you stripped it? As in you are sure this is a problem or your doing rather than you have been sold a duff car / given the wrong keys / etc.

Haha, good question! But yes, I did run it quite a few times before I stripped it down! Couldn't resist not running it to hear the T5 and that Milltek! Actually the first time I did try to run it it wouldn't start and the gauges kept cutting out like an old skool immobilisor, so contacted the seller and he told me about to Clifford and how you have to input a code into a hidden box-it then fired up straight away!

The only thing that is different since then is removing the Clifford system, but that was just a few wires on the ignition barrel and into one of the injectors. I cut it out and soldered the wires back up and I'm confident that it's completely removed now.

[Digitalize]

Definitely sounds like there's something wrong if it's not responding to an OBD2 reader. Double check all your connections.

[CHR15 G]

Digitalize said:

Definitely sounds like there's something wrong if it's not responding to an OBD2 reader. Double check all your connections.

I believe (hope) that it's an electrical problem, rather than any electronic problem, as all that's really happened is that it's been apart and put back together...

[Jonesy23]

CHR15 G said:

KillerHERTZ said:

Excellent project!


Whats the deal once you have finished, will you need to re-register it as a new vehicle?

Thank you!

No, I just need to send proof to the DVLA of the new engine size, fuel and tax class and they will update the log book. If I was 'upgrading' to the diesel from the T5 then I think they would want to come and have a look as I would then be paying them less VED, but as I'll be paying them more money then I think they're well up for it!

Insurance with Adrain Flux is very reasonable indeed, I would give them a try for all modified vehicles.

I'd have thought that as you've pulled the complete front assembly from the ST you're actually getting a bit short on ID points, you've got a 'new' engine, transmission, the steering rack has changed, the front axle has changed and the front suspension has changed. So if someone pushed the point you've technically only got the bodyshell giving you points to keep the ID which isn't enough.

Unless of course we remember the stage you didn't take photos of where you moved the ST engine & transmission onto the original subframe with the original steering rack and suspension from the estate.