Focus Engine Malfunction!

[PamPet]

Hello all!

I have a 2 year old ford focus zetec. Today it hasn't starting saying 'ENGINE MALFUNCTION and REDUCED ACCELERATION"

It sounds to me (my limited knowledge) like the battery is flat as it turns over albeit slowly.

After several attempts and being left alone for a while it started up but still said "engine malfunction and reduced acceleration"

It then drove fine all day starting first time every time with no faults displaying!

My partner has tested the battery's volts and it says 12.30.

I've just driven to the chinese and i've had to leave the car there as its turning over slowly many times before the engine catches, and then displays the same 2 faults as above!

I have googled but can't find much assistance!

Any one got any ideas??

Pam x

[anonymous-user]

Sorry, no idea what the problem could be but If its 2yrs old won't it still be under manufacturers warranty? Can't you just call Ford & get them to take it away, fix it, & leave you a courtesy car meanwhile?!

[PamPet]

yellowbentines said:

Sorry, no idea what the problem could be but If its 2yrs old won't it still be under manufacturers warranty? Can't you just call Ford & get them to take it away, fix it, & leave you a courtesy car meanwhile?!

They will be having it delivered to them tomorrow, but i was posting incase some one else had any bright ideas!

[darkcat]

Hi Pam
Im going to hope that, given what you have said, its just a sensor malfunction.

is it doing anything odd, like smoke, using water/oil etc?

I do think though that it will need to go to a ford agent, these new engines have huge amounts of sensors ans plasic strapped to them to stop real people fiddling with them.

[PamPet]

darkcat said:

Hi Pam
Im going to hope that, given what you have said, its just a sensor malfunction.

is it doing anything odd, like smoke, using water/oil etc?

I do think though that it will need to go to a ford agent, these new engines have huge amounts of sensors ans plasic strapped to them to stop real people fiddling with them.

Hi,

and no, no smoke or using excess oil or anything.

At the end of december it had its 25k service, and report said everything was good.
(apart from the report saying i have 4.5mm tread on my back tyres when theres only 2..!)

[andy-xr]

Does it make a grinding noise or a buzzing noise while it's trying to turn over?

[PamPet]

andy-xr said:

Does it make a grinding noise or a buzzing noise while it's trying to turn over?

Nope, just really slow, half arsed effort.

The head lights also flash, dimly, in time with the engine trying to turn over?

I haven't noticed them doing this before..

[andy-xr]

Only thing I can think of is to check the multi plugs under the dash in the passenger footwell, see if they're plugged in properly. My g/f inadvertently kicked mine and I lost a few things including indicators and the interior lights came on, then the chimes started as if a door was open...

Short of that you're going to end up at the dealer for a fault code reading. Not sure I'd be wanting to drive it for fear of potential damage knowing there's a fault

[Abuhamster]

Mine does this. Had an AA man test it and he said the battery and was fine the alternator was fine. I charged the battery and hey presto its been fine since.

I put my issues down to gremlins. Never really liked it!

[PamPet]

Thanks guys.

On that note - with ford - even though it is under warranty am i expected to pay for them to try and diagnose the fault in the first place??

P