Quick game : diagnose the fault
Discussion
So, the GF just phoned. Her 2003 (duratec) ford ka developed a rattle, which is also making the car shake. The check engine light came on once (but went away). The vibration is related to revs (bad at low revs, worse, then gets better through the range). there is also a 'whirry noise' near the drivers side. It is down on power. Oil level is fine. Note that any of these symptoms might have been there forever (ie may just be the car). This all occurs when the car is stationary
AA will be there in just under an hour to provide the full answer. Person who gets it right wins the 5.30 beard award
My thought is maybe a spark plug/ht lead has gone (making it run on 3 pots)? Its as if the engine is out of balance, but I can't think of anything that'd 'go' that'd cause that?
AA will be there in just under an hour to provide the full answer. Person who gets it right wins the 5.30 beard award
My thought is maybe a spark plug/ht lead has gone (making it run on 3 pots)? Its as if the engine is out of balance, but I can't think of anything that'd 'go' that'd cause that?
Edited by 5lab on Tuesday 7th December 17:31
5lab said:
sorry for the late reply
buggalugs wins the top beard award for the first person with the right answer. Was the coil. Fortunately, they go pop so regularly the AA man had one in his van, and fitted it free (part cost was £75).
All running well again now
H
Or £15 from a motorfactors buggalugs wins the top beard award for the first person with the right answer. Was the coil. Fortunately, they go pop so regularly the AA man had one in his van, and fitted it free (part cost was £75).
All running well again now
H

Got to be the coil pack. I had one go on my old Mondeo and it was exactly as you described.
The RAC fitted me one at the roadside for £55. Think they are about £30-£35 , far less inconvenient than getting recovered to outside a factors or dealers, bus home, and returning in morning to get part and fit it...
The RAC fitted me one at the roadside for £55. Think they are about £30-£35 , far less inconvenient than getting recovered to outside a factors or dealers, bus home, and returning in morning to get part and fit it...
5lab said:
sorry for the late reply
buggalugs wins the top beard award for the first person with the right answer. Was the coil. Fortunately, they go pop so regularly the AA man had one in his van, and fitted it free (part cost was £75).
All running well again now
H
Well maybe £30ish parts with £45 fitting! Even a main dealer ought not to charge that much to fit all 4, let alone 1. buggalugs wins the top beard award for the first person with the right answer. Was the coil. Fortunately, they go pop so regularly the AA man had one in his van, and fitted it free (part cost was £75).
All running well again now
H
A quick addition...
These coil pack failures are quite a known fault on these cars, and Mondeos, Fiestas and Focii.
When the pack goes bad and a high resistance builds up, they quite often take out the ECU firing transistors as well.
She was lucky the ECU survived this time, but be aware that it may fail soon.
Do a search on Google, you'll find lots.
It's not a horrendous or expensive job to repair if it does - around £200 at an ECU specialist.
These coil pack failures are quite a known fault on these cars, and Mondeos, Fiestas and Focii.
When the pack goes bad and a high resistance builds up, they quite often take out the ECU firing transistors as well.
She was lucky the ECU survived this time, but be aware that it may fail soon.
Do a search on Google, you'll find lots.
It's not a horrendous or expensive job to repair if it does - around £200 at an ECU specialist.
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