mikeyp

Dear all, just got a call from the ford garage, a couple of you were right...It was the inhibitor switch on the auto gearbox ! doh. ;) Part on order and I should get it back tomorrow. ;) I'll of course keep you updated. :) Mike

Hi all, thought you might like an update, got a call from the local garage today saying that after 2 hours of trying to find the fault, they couldn't fix it and could I go and pick up the car !! :wub: How I could do that I don't know, given that it won't start !! Got there and there she was purring away in the forcourt, they'd got her going by bypassing the starter circuit and dropping a feed from the battery to the starter motor, off she went. They then told me that there was nothing more they could do and that I would need to get it to a ford dealer, Which I have done and I am now in the lap of the gods. They didn't charge me for the 2hours of fault finding ( or not as the case was) So it starts if you feed the starter motor straight from the battery. Any ideas ? Mike PS, Checked the trip timer when I went to pick up the car and it looks like it had been sitting there in forecourt running for 1hr 40 mins ! MPG on the trip computer 0.2....nice ! V6 2.8 Ghia x

Hi all, Well here we go then, + Update I finally gave in and called the AA so that they could tow/ trailer the car to the local garage for further investigation, I had tried the following: Went to change relay 30- although there was no relay 30 on my car Checked all the other relays, for cracks, dry solder etc Checked all the fuses, one by one, Checked the battery connections, alternator etc, I the meantime, the car was still behaving as such : turn the key, plenty of relay clicks, led stayed on for 3 seconds but no turning over. Checked all the wiring again, bought a new battery and changed that. When the AA guy turned up he looked it over and basically found that there wasno juice going through to the starter motor- He fed direct power to the starter and Voila ! it bursts in to life. He then goes and tells me not to switch it off but get it ove to the neaest garage for further investigation. This was at about 2.30 this afternoon. After 3 hours of it running in the drive !! we finally managed to work out how we were going to drop the car off to the garage, 5 miles away, with only a scooter and 3 kids. You can imagine it was like the chicken, grain and fox across the river, scenario. Finally got it there and a lift back, and there the story ends, until I get some feedback from the garage in the morning. So I think it's the relay for the starter motor ! Any ideas ? Exhausted and stressed of norfolk. Mike 1998 V6 Ghia x

but doesnt the LED light in the door flash a code if it is immobilisation? which is doesn't, just behaves normally, ie comes on when you turn the key, for about 2 seconds then goes out, no other flashes or errors after that. Just called a local gargage out on recommendation, says they'll pop out and have a look in a bit. I hope they can sort it out for us, I spent 3 days trying to sort it out. If anyone needs any advice on accessing the 3rd level of fuse box and relays, I can talk you through it, whilst standing on one leg blindfolded, I done it that many times. But hey, at least I didn't go out and buy a battery ....doh !! yes I did ;) I must say that this forum has been brilliant, Might even get myself a signature: Mikey ;) " Cars make you poor, some poorer than others " :blink:

Thanks, Don't think it's the PCm issue as the car wonlt even turn over, turn the key and the relays click but no starter motor. Just out in a brand new battery, ready is right at the top, so the battery is ok, Sounds like this relay 30 issue, but cannot find it on the board, at all ! Rang a local ford dealer, asked to seak to the workshop, guy sounded as though I'd asked his mum out for a date !! :lol: Still trying to lacte the fuse in the engine bay that MO4 mentioned, it's my last chance before submitting to defeat. We've just moved up here so not really up on who's who in the garage services world. We're in north Norfolk and garages are few and far between. Listen voice in my head still keeps saying...relay 30...relay 30..... but I gather that the V6 is a beast with a law unto itself... 1 more hour and then it's a call to the first and nearest garage to come out and have a look, I guess. I'll keep you posted. Mikey

Thanks for the advice Mum, Actually drew a list up of checklist ( me being anal etc) where aboujts are the fuses in the engine bay ? couldn't see them and they are the only thing left to check, On my way to the nearest motor factors to see if a new battery might sort it, you never know ! I'll check back in a bit to see if there's any more advice. Gone past the screaming stage and in that " I do not control this2 stage, It's going to be fun trying to find a shop that sells these things, all you can get round here are tractor batteries !!! A the rural life :lol:

Thanks Mum, did all that, charged the battery, checked the fuses, one by one,...still no joy. ABS light now comes on though, but I don't think they are connected. Really getting quite P**sed off now, live out in the sticks so the nearest fraud garage is 15 miles away, which ill involve a tow/trailer (automatic) to their place and no transport until they can sort it out.... Somewhere out there is the answer.... would a failed cell in a battery cause this ? although a jump start would pressumably circumevnt this ? any ideas? M

Thought it worth an update, I'd read that a few peple had jump started the car and it seemed to sort this problem out.... Not with me. Just frozen my family jewels off trying to get a jump from a neighbour ( :D ) to no avail. So in summary: There's no relay 30, physically, never mind the manual, to change. The led light indicates no problem, turn the key, it stays on then goes out after a second Tried the rocking forward and back, not easy on a gravel drive :lol: Just about to get a 4lb club hammer from the garage... so if anyone has any suggestions on how to get a 1998 V6 2.8 Ghia x started, I'd be grateful :D In the meantime, I guess it's a call to the fraud dealer to see how much they need to make up their monthly targets...

Well, looks like I'm on the bus then. :D Took the fuse boxes and relay assembly as directed, great post by the way.. only to find there is NO relay 30 ! just a space where it should be. :D Now I'm totally miffed. Checked the manual supplement and it refers to No: 14 as the immobiliser relay, that all seems fine. No LED errors, just turn the key and various clicks from the relays but no life, !!! Anyone else got any ideas ? PS Relay 30 for sale, one careful owner, never used, boxed with receipt, sensible offers... :lol:

;) OH.....here's hoping ! Screwdrivers at the ready...failing that...... Where's the nearest bus stop ??? :)

Thanks to all who poted the info. I'm not even sure it's the solution to the problem, which is a totally non starting 2.8 V6. Turn the keyt and the red led on the door stays lit for 2-3 seconds then goes out. :) The research I did on this forum points to relay 30 and the immobiliser issue, so I thought it was worth a shot. The keys work, the spare key does the same so I assumed it could'nt be the code, all roads lead to relay 30, which is feeling more and more like room 101 ! Thanks again everyone. !! ;) I'll keep you posted M

Hope someone can help....soon, I've got the relay 30 blues and a dashboard in bits at home, I'm at work and thought I'd get a relacement at my local ford dealer. Except, that without the part number ????? I have to be over 80 and accompanied by both parents.. Can anyone help me beat this good for nothing jobsworth of a parts clerk ? Please...a part number is all I need. Thanks guys M

Weird thing is.. it works when the lights are switched on ! :) Same as the controls on the head unit, ie when lights are on volume buttons work, lights off no response.. So no music during daylight hours :) ??? Mike

Sorry Nimrod, been arguing all week. :) year is 1998, Ghia X

Cheers Nimrod, Is it pretty straightforward, removing the stalk ? :lol: As for the clairvoyant..it was more like a referee we could have done with ! :o Thanks

After my good lady, realising at 10pm on wednesday night that she'd left the sunroof open ! (Yes the night of the torrential rain! :lol: ) the radio controls on the steering column have packed up. Could the fact that it got wet put it beyond repair and if so, does anyome know if you can replace these parts ? Any info would be greatly received. Mike PS We are now talking....JUST.. :o