Annoying Electrical Problems

[phil332]

Hi,

 

Can anybody help me with the following problem. About 2 months ago the speedo started to intermitantly stop working, the refuel warning light and bleep now come on and off and the petrol gauge drops to show empty even though there's plenty of petrol in the tank. After about 10/20 seconds the petrol gauge returns to it's correct reading, but the speedo stays on zero. The speedo starts working again if the headlights are switched on and returns to zero again if switched off.(no Volvo jokes please) Also, the engine has cut out 3/4 times and the engine warning light comes on. The engine always starts first time when this happens and the warning light goes out after a few journeys. Last of all, the sound from the cd player is poor and up and down again this stops if the headlights are switched on. All these problems are all intermitant.

 

My car was looked at by Ford, but they could not find the problem and nothing showed up on their computer.

 

Anybody suffering with similar problems outhere or any ideas on how to rectify.(02,petrol, 2.3 ghia, manual)

cheers,

Phil

[seatkid]

Definitely another poltergeist manifestation? :o

 

That another Ford dealer was of no use is no surprise.. :blink:

 

A module communications network problem methinks.

 

(2002 Ford TIS is really helpful on this topic )

 

Module communications diagnosis and testing:

 

Information not available at this time

 

Wiring/electrical problem - the clue is that turning the headlights on cures the problem(s) - come on you guys, any guesses?

[Buncers]

Bet it's an earth problem.

 

I too have a poltergeist electrical problem. This time wipers, blowers and rear windscreen, intermittent not working until engine running for about 2 mins.

 

When I track down the earth, get access to it, clean and renew - hope it will stop.

 

Or will probably go away when dry whether comes (sometime in July)

[phil332]

Thanks for the replies seatkid and buncers, :blink:

 

 

seatkid, Is a module communications problem fixable and what is a TIS ( I'm not taking it, honest.)

 

 

Buncers, funny you should mention the rain as these problems started after a long motorway journey in constant heavy rain. Any idea where the earth wire/connection is/are for the equipment affected. My father in law thinks its moisture on the fuses or relays. I've checked and they look dry.

 

cheers

[NikpV]

Ford have a problem with the instrumentation pod, about 6 months ago the problem was so bad they stopped replacving them because the replacements also had problems (documented on this site by some) the fuel gauge problem was quie common. We are still waiting for a new instrumentation pod (will be our second) under warranty

 

Search on 'fuel gauge' for details, this may be a manifestation of the same problem.

 

Nik

[Buncers]

I think I have found the earth point for my problem.

 

Behind the front headlight, in engine bay, passenger side. Not easy to get to, probably the battery needs to come out for a proper fix. Looked for where the brown (earth) wire went.

 

Anyway - had so many problems with it lately, I bought some WD40 yesterday and gave it a good seeing to with the little straw thing attached to the can, so directed right at the earth point.

 

It appears to be working, no problems this morning, even though loads of rain overnight and today and inches of standing water on the road. Fingers crossed.

[ALARM MAN]

TIS

Is Technical Service Information

 

I can supply this for