Focus TDCi problemette.

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Paul Giverin - 16 Feb 2007 10:43 GMT

Last night I arrived home after a 35 mile drive home in my Focus 2.0
TDCi. I had a quick bite to eat and went back out again. When I started
the engine, it sounded a bit rough and I noticed it was idling low
(600rpm as opposed to the normal 800rpm). I gave it a dab of throttle
but nothing happened. It was like the throttle cable had snapped. The
throttle could be pressed to the floor and the revs stayed at 600rpm.

I had a look under the bonnet and couldn't even figure out where the
cable went. The car is fairly new to me and I haven't had time to figure
out where everything is. I know that the engine is a PSA unit.

I stopped the engine and re-started it and it was fine. It was fine
again this morning. Anyone have any idea why it wouldn't respond to the
throttle last night?

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

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Tony Brett - 16 Feb 2007 11:04 GMT

> I stopped the engine and re-started it and it was fine. It was fine
> again this morning. Anyone have any idea why it wouldn't respond to the
> throttle last night?

Were you pressing the right pedal :-)

Sounds silly but I did similar on a car I'd never driven before once. I
thought it had a very stiff clutch and was a bugger to get into gear
until I realised by left foot was on the brake. Oops!

Tony

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Mike Quin - 16 Feb 2007 11:05 GMT

> I had a look under the bonnet and couldn't even figure out where the
> cable went.

The Focus diesels are drive-by-wire, using an electronic
rather than mechanical connection between the accelerator
and the injection pump.

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Paul Giverin - 17 Feb 2007 07:39 GMT

>> I had a look under the bonnet and couldn't even figure out where the
>> cable went.
>
>The Focus diesels are drive-by-wire, using an electronic
>rather than mechanical connection between the accelerator
>and the injection pump.

Thanks Mike. I had suspected that an electronic throttle was used
(because I couldn't find a mechanical one) but my experience of Ford
diesels stops with the old Endura lump in the Mk1 & Mk2 Mondeo.

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

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Andy Tucker - 16 Feb 2007 11:48 GMT

> Last night I arrived home after a 35 mile drive home in my Focus 2.0
> TDCi. I had a quick bite to eat and went back out again. When I started
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

Are there any stored DTC codes? Many of them can be read through the
instrument cluster. There's instructions at http://www.focushacks.com/
index.php?modid=37

Andy

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Bob Minchin - 16 Feb 2007 20:42 GMT

It is highly likely that the EGR valve is on the way out. This is a well
known 2.0TDCi problem and should get fixed under warranty. The valves have
been re-designed and there is a PCM software upgrade to go with the new
style valve.

Error codes should be stored in the PCM but these are not visible via the
dash display as others have suggested. If your dealer claims that the codes
are not present then say that if he contacts ford, they should be able to
confirm that there are situations where the valve is faulty and yet there
are no codes stored. The official action under these circumstances is to
remove the old valve and examine it for deposits and clean/change it
accordingly.

Good luck

Bob

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Paul Giverin - 17 Feb 2007 07:34 GMT

>It is highly likely that the EGR valve is on the way out. This is a well
>known 2.0TDCi problem and should get fixed under warranty. The valves have
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
>Bob

Thanks Bob. Could you explain to me how a faulty EGR valve would
disconnect the electronic throttle?

Cheers,

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

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Bob Minchin - 17 Feb 2007 17:06 GMT

Thanks Bob. Could you explain to me how a faulty EGR valve would

> disconnect the electronic throttle?

It does not BUT a failing EGR is well documented to give the symptoms you
describe, ie the engine will tick over but not speed up enough to drive it.
Basically all the exhaust gasses are being fed into the air intake and the
engine is choking on its own waste.
If you have other reason to suspect the throttle directly then persue that
avenue but if not, I suggest you consider the EGR too

I have read that there is a 'limp home mode' that covers a failed electronic
throttle. I think you drive it via the brake pedal. The car is supposed to
accelerate very slowly with your foot off the brake and slow down when you
gently touch the brake and obviously stop properly with standard brake
pressure.
I can't recall where I read this but it could well have been FFOC which is
generally a well informed forum thanks to a few Ford Technicians who give
advice there.

Bob

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