Ford Ka Cutting Out

[zeezaz]

Hi, my wife's Ford Ka has cut out twice recently at low revs, when she is cornering. First time causing the steering lock to engage. Car has been inspected by a Ford dealer and by a local garage who cannot find a fault. Have been told that this cutting out is not unheard of for a Ka, any suggestions. Car is serviced regularly and is 3 years old.

[stanleyman]

The ignition has been turned off somehow, perhaps too many keys on the key ring.

[Sparky1979]

I'm in agreement with Stanleyman.

For the steering lock to engage the ignition barrel has to be turned to the off position.

[zeezaz]

Thanks for this I will try getting rid of the useless dangly thing on the end of her keyring. Curiously I also noticed that with the drivers seat in quite close I could nudge the key with my knee to the off position!

[keraan]

My friend had a fiesta 98 which did the same not to do with keys on your keyring but a common fault with the ignition

[toiras]

I've just had this happen to me and from browsing the web it seems a common problem on older Ka models (mine's a basic 1998). The common suggestion seems to be remove and clean the Idle Air Control Valve with some WD40 and people claim this fixes it. I'm going to try this tonight and keep my fingers crossed.

Here's how to locate it: http://www.dervman.com/endurae.htm

[toiras]

Update - I cleaned out the Idle Air Control Valve and drove 400 miles to Manchester and back without a hitch this weekend, so give it a try.