mk1 focus dash cluster dead

[steveo3002]

ive just got back from a couple of weeks away and left the battery disconected on the g/f's mk1 1600 focus , hooked it back up and the dash doesnt work at all now

any ideas , was fine before

[Landlord]

I believe this is a common fault. Mine does it from time to time. Usually I just lose the speedo for a few seconds. Results in rough running and then suddenly all springs back to life. Once, though, the LCD display just showed dashes, not numbers, but again it all suddenly reverted. The problem is very intermittent.

[IanCress]

The speedo dropping to zero is the speed sensor issue. The sensor on the gearbox packs up and doesn't relay any speed info to the ECU. Therefore you lose the speed and mileage readout, and the idle control goes loopy as it thinks the car isn't moving.

When you say the dash is dead, do you just mean the speedo, or do you have no rev counter and no lights showing? If so, it sounds more like a power issue, possibly a fuse?

[steveo3002]

none of the dials work at all ..just the night time illumitaion

it had previously dropped the speedo for a few seconds now and then which yes i believe is the speed sensor going


edit..so if its failed is there any diy fixes , i can find threads claiming spraing wd40 on it cures it but sounds a bit hopefull , i understand new /scrap yard ones need programming at ford? can the car be driven if i sent the cluster away for repair?

Edited by steveo3002 on Wednesday 6th August 16:36