Ford Focus TDCI starting problem flashing light on dash?

Question

Coming home the over night the Battery light lite up occsionally it would go out.
Driving home the over night when the battery light came on it then started coming on and of as i drove after a while some of the other lights started to come on randomly as ABS etc etc, i pulled over to let a car go by and lost the power steering for a few seconds but then came back, so drove straight home. on driving in to my driveway lost the poser steering again. On parking up and truning the car of, left it a few minutes and tried starting again. However now the car won,t start. However now the RED light centre of dash ( immobiliser light ) keeps flashing rapidly and nothing happens when i try to start the car. Im at a loss to what the problem could be. Son disconnected the battery for 1 hour and put it back on but no change.

any ideas.

Answer 1

The battery warning light came on because the alternator has stopped working, either because it has failed, or the belt is loose or has snapped. When that light came on the battery was all that was powering the car's electrics. When the battery voltage got low enough it started causing the electronics to malfunction. That's why the ABS light started flashing.



I don't know about your car but lots of modern cars use electric power steering pumps so the steering would get heavier as the battery power ebbs away.



By continuing to drive with just the battery powering the electrics you have flattened the battery. Which is also why the immobiliser light is flashing, and the car will not start. You need to charge up the battery and replace the belt if that has failed, or the alternator, in which case I'd fit a new belt at the same time anyway. If the belt has failed you need to look for the reason that happened. Make sure all the pulleys that the belt runs on spin freely and smoothly.

Answer 2

Focus Tdci Starting Problems

Answer 3

Hm. Sounds like the computer modules in the car might not be getting enough voltage. Considering you said you lost power assisted steering, I am going to venture a guess that the accessories belt is slipping and not running the alternator and power steering pump at full speed. This could by a damaged belt or tensioner.

Answer 4

I had this exact problem in my Escape last week.



You need a new alternator.



When the light comes on after the battery, the other systems aren't getting enough power to sufficiently operate them, so the computer throws a code and the light comes on. Primarily the ABS, Air Bag, and "THEFT" lights will come on first. You shouldn't have to have the Ford dealership do anything.

Answer 5

I had start problems with my diesel, also with the flashing light. turned out to be the earth connection from the battery to the cars body. It was oxidised and needed a clean.

Answer 6

Once your immobiliser lite start flashing it means you have a factory security problem.Nobody but Ford can fix it! Take to the dealer.

Answer 7

I cannot understand why you would ask such a question on this site.



From your description of events there is obviously something seriously wrong and if you power steering and ABS fail when you doing 70 down the motoway you find yourself (and others) with even more serious issues.

These indicator lights are there for a reason.



TAKE IT TO A GARAGE....................