Breakdown...again!

[tiggerblue10]

My Ford Fiesta broke down last night and the AA chap said that it was a flat battery. After I told him that this seems to happen once a year during the winter he ran a diagnostic and it appear my car has faulty codes which are not communicating with each other.

Not sure whether to take it to a Ford garage or just a regular repair garage. Any advice on which is best?

Cheers

[tonyav]

tigger, look for independent Ford specialists, you stand a far better chance of getting your software updates done.

[tiggerblue10]

The ABS light stayed lit for a few seconds and when I went to park I couldn't get it into 1st after reverse. I let it roll back into a parking position, hit the brakes and turned ignition off. Couldn't start it after that Hymie.

[tiggerblue10]

Will do Tony

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Really helpful :o)

[Hymie]

When you say that you could not start it – did the engine turn over with the ignition key in the fully clockwise position?

[tiggerblue10]

Yes it did but it made repeated fluttering noises Hymie. And the brake pedal stayed pressed towards the floor.

[Hymie]

How could it be a flat battery if the engine was being cranked?

Perhaps you flattened the battery by repeatedly trying to start the car – and it was flat by the time the AA man arrived – but that was not the reason it would not start initially.

The problem could be the CPU (the car’s computer system), or it might be something as simple a damp effecting the vehicle electrics. Although the car will not be using a high tension spark distribution system; damp starting problems are much reduced from years gone by.

Nevertheless it would be worth giving all electrical wiring under the bonnet a spray with WD40 (or similar) – but make sure you keep the spray well away from any timing belts that might be exposed.

The next time this happens, rather than continually cranking the engine, flattening the battery, switch the ignition off for a couple of minutes to give the CPU time to reset its brain.

I would also have the spark plug gaps checked, which could cause this issue if incorrect.

[tiggerblue10]

Probably as it was flat and needed a jump start.

As mentioned, this has happened a number of times over the years and always in winter when its quite cold.

Last time it happened right on the traffic lights!! Was awful until some nice chaps got out their cars and helped me parked up out the way.

[Hymie]

Buy one of these and leave it plugged into the cigar lighter socket.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-CAR-VAN-12v-24v-BATTERY-VOLT-VOLTAGE-METER-MONITOR-GAUGE-CIGAR-LIGHTER-PL-SM/292305124007?epid=677338993&hash=item440ebe3aa7:g:--MAAOSwDNdVozAi

With the engine running it should read close to 14V (not 12V).

It will help identify if you have a battery charging issue.

[stocksman]

If, as you say it is always when cold weather comes round I would look first at the battery. Did the AA man start the car for you with a 'jump battery'? How old is the battery? Even the top named batteries have a limited life. A lot of manufacturers advise 3 years as a reasonable life.

[Hymie]

Interestingly you mention that the ABS light came on and the brake pedal remained depressed.
If otherwise the car braking system now works fine – then this might very well indicate that there is some intermittent fault with the CPU, causing the issues.

Unfortunately a garage investigation/fix for such a fault will not be cheap – which could include replacement of the CPU.

Given the age of the car – I would consider getting rid of it, if such inconvenient breakdowns are unacceptable to you.

[tonyav]

Unfortunately a garage investigation/fix for such a fault will not be cheap – which could include replacement of the CPU.

If that should turn out to be the fault then that will cost more than what a thirteen year old fiesta is worth.

[Hopkirk]

I am no expert, but I think the ABS light staying on for a while is irrelevant. As long as it goes out after a while, the system has self checked and confirmed it is OK.

The brake pedal staying down is odd and worrying, but not likely to be linked to the starting problem.

I reiterate my view that you should just put a battery charger on regularly, if it is possible.

Difficult as it may be, start thinking about replacing the car rather than spending on this one

[scheuy12]

I used to drive an 02 Fiesta, the engine management light was always on, it was a faulty sensor! Is it an old battery? Also Ford's are liable to rust so could it be a contact issue - I always used to spray under the bonnet with GT85 & my other half even started my car by spraying all the contacts but in the end I got another car cos the rust was too much :(

[tonyav]

I suspect that this car has a few problems.
The brake pedal and not being able to select first gear after being in reverse points to a faulty master / slave cylinder to me.

[tiggerblue10]

Battery is less than 2 years old.

Apart from this problem which happens once a year the car seems to run fine and I have thought about replacing it. Will get quotes and see where I go from there.

Thanks all

[tonyav]

Best of luck, tigger.

[tiggerblue10]

Cheers Tony

[TWR]

Just a thought, when you try to start the car do you do this with the lights, heater , radio, demister on?

[tiggerblue10]

o TWR, I switch everything off before I turn the ignition off so nothing is on when I start the car.