2002 Ford Focus - Electrical Gremlins
Discussion
So I picked up a 2002 Ford Focus to get me through the winter after arriving in the US and it has decided to develop some odd electrical behaviours that I could do with a hand diagnosing.
Story goes that I was pulling out from a junction then all of a sudden the engine cuts and I coast it to the side of the road. Trying to turn the car over gets you a lot of clicking from the starter so it seems like the battery is low. If that was what only happened it wouldn't be a problem as it would point to the charging system somewhere. However after leaving it for 15 minutes and trying to turn it over again just in case the wipers came one and I could not turn them off, interior lights were blinking with the hazard warning lights and the dash was lit up like a christmas tree with the digital screen on the speedo only showing dashes ( ---- ).
After getting it towed to a garage they have take a look today and there are no fault codes in the ECU and it will start up for a time then cut out and do the same thing again after being jumped. The reason that is happening is likely again because the alternator is likely knackered but why would that cause all the other electrical strangeness?
The research I have done points to the cam position sensor as well being a possible problem but again why would that cause the cars electricals be become possessed?
Any further insight into this is welcome before I start paying for stuff to get replaced to see if it helps.
Story goes that I was pulling out from a junction then all of a sudden the engine cuts and I coast it to the side of the road. Trying to turn the car over gets you a lot of clicking from the starter so it seems like the battery is low. If that was what only happened it wouldn't be a problem as it would point to the charging system somewhere. However after leaving it for 15 minutes and trying to turn it over again just in case the wipers came one and I could not turn them off, interior lights were blinking with the hazard warning lights and the dash was lit up like a christmas tree with the digital screen on the speedo only showing dashes ( ---- ).
After getting it towed to a garage they have take a look today and there are no fault codes in the ECU and it will start up for a time then cut out and do the same thing again after being jumped. The reason that is happening is likely again because the alternator is likely knackered but why would that cause all the other electrical strangeness?
The research I have done points to the cam position sensor as well being a possible problem but again why would that cause the cars electricals be become possessed?
Any further insight into this is welcome before I start paying for stuff to get replaced to see if it helps.
dilateous said:
With weird electrical problems (computer glitches not mention poor starting) I'd consider the possibility of loose or poor earth connection ('Earth' meaning electrical straps to engine, bodywork or chassis).
Got it in one. In the end I replaced the battery and found that in the past the dash loom had been butchered and a ground had come lose and started shorting the wiper circuit.All a bit of the faff in the end for something simple.
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