Focus electrical fault

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 12:55
Focus electrical fault - ajc
My Focus has recently developed some kind of electrical fault, which I first noticed as flickering headlights, but it seems to affect all the internal lights and radio as well. The problem is intermittent, so I presume it's some kind of loose/dodgy connection. It went in for a service the other day, and I asked them to take a look, but they couldn't replicate the problem so they just checked the headlight earthing points, and nothing has changed. I noticed this morning that the courtesy light was flickering before I turned the headlights on. Also, a couple of times this morning, all my dials maxed out before going to zero, then returning to normal. Can anyone please shed some light on what's going on?
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 19:37
Focus electrical fault - timp
The main common link between all the things you have stated as being problematic is the battery. Interior lighting is on the ignition fuse (F8), the others are all on the main supply fuse (F7). Both these fuses are located in the engine fusebox. Both these fuses are connected directly to the battery positive terminal via the fuse box, so it could be a problem with the fuse box, the connection to the battery or the battery itself.

I have had the problem with all the dials reading maximum, returning to zero and then to normal a few times last winter - when it was cold, damp, used once a week and the battery was low. Once the battery was well charged and the weather turned warmer and drier things improved. The dials do this to re-calibrate themselves when a power failure has occurred. I'd check the fuses are securely fitted and are in good condition and then look at the battery and its contacts.

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Wed 17 Dec 2003 20:47
Focus electrical fault - DL
Yep, battery terminals would be my first port of call followed by the main body earthing points.

Then I'd look into the alternator......£££
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn/problems.msnw?Page=1 - Pictures say a thousand words.....
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 21:37
Focus electrical fault - Oscar the omega
AJC, when was your focus registered and whats the VIN no.
I might be able to help...
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Thu 18 Dec 2003 09:59
Focus electrical fault - ajc
Thanks guys, I had a feeling it might be something like that. I'll have to wait until the weekend to get some daylight to check it out. Oscar - I'll have to get back to you with that info.
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