Focus ST170 help
Discussion
I have owned my 52 plate ST170 for 8 months and for most of that time it has had an annoying stutter. This happens mainly between 30-40mph in 3rd or 4th gear. The car dosent run as smooth as id like but when you go through the revs its fine and revs freely.
The stutter isnt like a miss fire. Its more like the engine holds back on and off for a couple of seconds. There are no fault codes but its been plugged into a snap-on diagnostic machine which shows the e-vac isnt working propely but i have already changed this and checked the vacume and other pipes coming from that and all seems fine.
Hope someone can help.
Adam
The stutter isnt like a miss fire. Its more like the engine holds back on and off for a couple of seconds. There are no fault codes but its been plugged into a snap-on diagnostic machine which shows the e-vac isnt working propely but i have already changed this and checked the vacume and other pipes coming from that and all seems fine.
Hope someone can help.
Adam
adsvx220 said:
It has full independent service history. If i took it to my local ford dealer do you know how much they will charge to flash the new software to the pcm.
Cheers
Adam
You need a specialist to sort your software problem. If there is a known issue there should be service updates about in the trade. Cheers
Adam
Unfortunately this sort of expertise is not generally cheap.
I suspect that, in time, many of today's injected cars will be simply uneconomic to maintain. I am afraid the computer based ECU will be the real Achilles heel on these cars and will make ownership and enjoyment expensive if not unaffordable.
The durability of bodywork and the mechanical side or motoring has improved immeasurably with the new paints, galvanising and the new synthetic oils. Rust and engine failure (300,000 miles is quite common) are largely a thing of the past.
Regrettably the complexity and essential effects of the electrical side has increased dramatically but the maintenance of these critical parts remains poor. Definitely the Achilles heel.
adsvx220 said:
It has full independent service history. If i took it to my local ford dealer do you know how much they will charge to flash the new software to the pcm.
Cheers
Adam
£60 normally, however you can find out which firmware version it's running by activating the dashboard diagnostics. From memory do the following: Insert ignition key do not turn, press and hold trip reset button, then turn the ignition on. The gauges should sweep if done correctly and information Will be displayed within the mileage display. Write all this down, post it on here and I will look at it for you.Cheers
Adam
adsvx220 said:
I done the test and the dials did there thing and it came up with 6a6e.
Cheers
Adam
You should have around 10-15 different codes appear. sorry you need to press the trip reset to go through each one have a look at the following: http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=13&h...Cheers
Adam
Edited by lemonslap on Tuesday 1st November 19:58
Oops sorry I have done It again and cycled through the numbers..... There are quite a lot.
Here goes....
6A6E
888.8
bulb
R22
E001
DTC None
000.0
046.0
0000
031.t
F094
L072
064.f
080c
0aac
B12.5
Ab-L
Eb-L
IL-L
Cr-h
A-6c
B-09
C-c1
D-36
0178
1255
2000
3255
4095
5000
6000
7000
P117
P2ff
P3ff
P4ff
That's all the numbers that came up as I cycled through.
Cheers
Adam
Here goes....
6A6E
888.8
bulb
R22
E001
DTC None
000.0
046.0
0000
031.t
F094
L072
064.f
080c
0aac
B12.5
Ab-L
Eb-L
IL-L
Cr-h
A-6c
B-09
C-c1
D-36
0178
1255
2000
3255
4095
5000
6000
7000
P117
P2ff
P3ff
P4ff
That's all the numbers that came up as I cycled through.
Cheers
Adam
Cheers, take it to a dealer and tell them you want a PCM firmware upgrade due to running issues (expect blank looks for the service guy though). don't pay more then a hours labour. All that is needed is for them to plug in the IDS and update the firmware. If they give you problems tell them you are having braking problems from cold (no servo assistance) this was a recall to update the PCM. Post back to update us.
adsvx220 said:
Right I went to my local ford dealer. As expected they didn't have a clue and don't have any record of doing it to any st170.
Cheers for all your help.
Adam
Ford Focus ST170 upto 2002Cheers for all your help.
Adam
Problem: Poor throttle response and engine revs staying high after throttle release during warm up phase.
Solution: The cause is incorrect software settings in the PCM (engine control module). The solution is to have the PCM re-calibrated.
From http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=ford...
There is a for TSB out for the update.
Linked to these problems: http://www.stownersclub.com/index.php?/topic/14-st...
I will try and locate the TSB so you can take it with you next time!!
Edited by lemonslap on Monday 7th November 20:53
My st170 suffered engine stutter at 2200 and 3000 rpm - sounds similar to your problem. I traced it to the throttle cable. Ford changed the cable route on early cars and I suspect they never solved the problem properly and just made a new throttle cable that didn't really fit. I suggest you check that it is tensioned properly. If you get into the footwell you can check for play in the throttle cable. I found there ws a lot of play in the pedal, i.e. the pedal could be pushed back a way before actually moving the cable. I solved the issue by first of all closing the cable adjuster under the bonnet (to the left of the engine) - if you screw the adjuster almost all the way in to start with and then check the play in the pedal. There should be a nut and spring arrangement holding the cable where it passes through the pedal. If, when the pedal us fully up (off) and you pull the cable a little you can feel any space between the spring and the pedal then you need to fill that space and take up the slack. I drilled a piece of plastic with a 3.2 drill (the cable is 3mm diameter)and then with a little hacksaw cut a channel so I could snap it over the cable. Then with the engine running adjust the adjuster under the bonnet to your liking. Be careful if you have taken out the slack the adjuster will be quite sensitive. Unscrewing it will raise the idle speed. Obviously if the idle is too high with it screwed all the way in your packing piece is too long. There is a guy on youtube who demonstrates the pedal/cable thing with cable ties, so you could try that. Here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...
Anyway that cured the stutter and transformed the performance for me. I know it's a old post but I hope this helps someone
Anyway that cured the stutter and transformed the performance for me. I know it's a old post but I hope this helps someone
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