tbs152

Hi all

I recently had the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) changed on my 2000 Ford Focus 1.8i Zetec 5dr because the speedo was dropping to zero and I was losing power.

Whilst this replacement has cured the zeroed speedo, the loss of power issue is now constant. Here are the symptoms:

- Chugging/stuttering at cruising speed (~60mph) as if I'm driving into strong winds (constant)

- Noticably poor acceleration with definite loss of power as compared to before the new VSS (constant)

- Drag or lurch when changing between low gears (frequent)

- When in neutral the revs stay high for ~5 secs then slowly return to normal (occasional)

Now this would only happen when the needle was stuck on zero prior to the new VSS, now it is constant. I read somewhere that it could be the EGR valve, but I had a look and don't think I have one! I also unhooked the battery to reset the ECU to no avail.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'd really appreciate the help.

Thanks!

andysfatrs

i would be looking at the MAF sensor

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Does sound like a MAF (mass air flow) issue.

What you need to do is unplug it and see if it improves. The MAF is the matchbox sized box that is attached to the side of the air filter box with 6 or 8 wires attached to it with a multi plug.

Unplug it and take it for a drive and see if it is any better. You may still notice some slight loss in performance as the engine will be in 'limp home mode', and there may be an engine management light on on the dash after you do this.

If it is noticeably better then you have found your problem. All you need to do then is plug it back in then disconnect the battery for half an hour again to reset the engine management light.

Rich

Csm

Also check the vaccum pipe on rear of engine at the inlet manifold (under throttle body) Take pipe from throttle body to airbox off to see it !!

The rubber pipe/hose will have a metal jubilee type clip on it ... it bends to the right and connects to a metal pipe below the coilpack...

They are bad for going soft and splitting .... I just replaced mine on my 1.8 focus last night, car was running shite, rough lack in power, low idle and sometimes stalling etc etc, they also when soft colapse under throttle aswell (mine was both split and colapsed under throttle)

I got mine from ford parts for Ł12 posted (can give you part number if you wish)

If its your maf and you want a second hand one i was going to sell one as its working fine

thebigmacmoomin

Coil pack?

tabetha

Clean the MAF, then make sure the fuel filter is not old and clogged, then check CO.
It is just coincidence about the VSS, although they are linked, I would also clean the idle speed control valve, with it now getting a decent VSS reading the mixture will be different.
All you need to do to reset the ECU and put it in learning mode is to pull the KAM fuse for 5 minutes.
tabetha

gud1874

I have just got my W reg 1.8 diesel focus zetec back from the garage with the same problem as mentioned, except mine started to cut out more at low revs eventually, 4th gear being the worst. Tried changing the battery, fuel filter but could't sort it.
Put it in to my friends garage, who specialise in ford work and he run the diagnostics on it.
Problem was the sensor for the accelerator was not working right, so he replaced it and its now running perfectly well again.
Dont know if this will fix your problem as i have seen a few different solutions, (breather pipes, air intakes etc), but it sounds very similiar.
The sensor cost Ł87 from the gargage but im sure you could find it cheaper online if you are able to fit it yourself or even just to hand into a garage.
Also had an oil leak so my oil filter was changed but dont know if this had any bearing on the problem or the eventual solution.
Hope my rambling helps somewhat.

delterflier

sounds very similer to the problem i have with my 1.8 16v
have changed the plugs,leads and air filter but no change done fuel filter to.
it does seam to be getting progresivly worse by the day.

john

Theseus

yes please if your able

Sorry to revive this thread, newb here and joined as this is the second of three Focus's that ive owned with the problems described above.
My first 1.8 Zetec had the symptoms very bad, where the speedo needle would stop working and the engine would cut out at low speeds.

Just picked up another 1.8 Zetec, a 2000 Collection, and it has similar problems. It is fine at lower speeds but the accelerator pedal feels like it needs effort to get more power from the engine (which is there), at 50-70+ it develops that surging or near cutting out sensation, and sometimes after that you can feel the engine smoothly accelerating by itself, it is hard to maintain a constant speed in this condition.
There doesn't appear to be any other symptoms.

I have cleaned the MAF with electronic parts cleaner, and quickly inspected the hoses behind the engine. I can see a thickish hose above the intake manifold (seen when the throttle inlet pipe is removed) which seems sound, is this the one that causes problems?

I have odered a new Throttle Position Sensor aswel, purely to elliminate it from the equation.

I have had all sorts of nice cars, but I still think that the Focus is the best all round car ever made, just be nice to elliminate this bug, hopefully cheaply!

Appreciate any of your thoughts

JamesPendle

I'm having exactly the same problems with my Mondeo zetec, terrible loss of power and stalling when i slow down for corners / junctions etc.

I have fitted new coil pack, leads, plugs, throttle position sensor, and cleaned out the ICV. Pulling my hair out with this one.

higgsy91

Could be a fuelling problem? maybe try cleaning the injectors with some of that red ex stuff or buying new ones altogether. I would say replace the
ICV all together however that doesn't give any clue to the loss of power which is why im suspicous that the engine isn't getting enough fuel. maybe even replace the fuel filter, could be clogged (Ł8 and 15 minutes work).. And as above check the MAF and now i think about it, could be related to Lambda sensor (they can be slow or faulty without giving any warning lights on the dash)

I've sent you a link to look at if you haven't solvwed this problem yet..

http://www.lambdapower.co.uk/diagnos...ndex.asp:king:

up2datem8

I recenently had my 2002 Focus to the garage as the engine management light was on
They did a Diagnostic check and came up with the Lambda sensor was at fault which they replaced.
They then said it was still miss firing and after checking plugs etc they came up with the Mass air sensor was required as they said it ran OK when it was unplugged.
I ran with it unplugged and it was a hell of a lot worse than when I had taken it in so I pugged it back in and it then ran a lot better Not perfect but better, and the management light was still on.
So I think I might change the MAS myself as I feel the garage were charging over the top and if I can get the part number I can get a MAS from our car dismantlers
DUMB QUESTION where can I get the part number from ???

bigbro

hi i have recently converted my 1.6 cvh engine mk4 orion to a 1.8 fiesta zetec engine using the fiesta ecu and loom wired into my own loom car starts fine but as soon as the engine warms up and you try to drive it it starts splutering and losses power to the point where it hardly moves when you press the accelerator to the point where it tries to cut out help me please

tombo1979

hi i have a 1.8 16v focus zetec the speed sensor cured the stalling at junctions and was a pain to fit but my car is pulling back or heavy engine breaking i mite reset the ecu and iv cleaned maf sensor il give it a bash now cnt c y its pulling at high revs?

Lord and icon

I'm have a similar problem

redbull2k7

hi guys ive got a similar problem on a 1.8 zetec , it stutters at low revs in 4th and 5th gear , ive just checked some pipe at the back of the engine which isn't split but when I start the engine it sucks in , its the corner bit with the metal part on , so im assuming its the same part as mentioned above , when I find the part and fit it ill let you no if it solved my problem .

thanks

DUDOCO

The filter on the pump-theres a little mesh thing that gets clogged up,it can wash itself a little with the petrol in the tank so does it intermitantly.
What happens is it causes a loss of fuel pressure at the regulator-the ufo shaped chrome thing on the curly fuel pipe!!.This causes a pause in fuel delivered to the fuel rail and missfire and spluttering under load at the injectors/engine.If you are not to fussy you can cut a hole under the back seat to get to the pump-quickest way and diy!! On the rh side of the car as you sit in it-details on how to on forums.Good luck,
DUDOCO.

Fsekhula@webmail.co.za

Hi there everyone
I own Ford Focus sedan 2003 1.6 engine. Last year around October month, I was about to embark on a 300km trip when I noticed that an engine warning light came on. I panicked and started to phone around in an attempt to get answers as to how to solve it. To my surprise, it did not interfere with the performance or the running of the engine
My friends advised me not to stop the trip but to continue as the car was running ok. I drove for about 200KM and stopped at the gas station where I put gas. I was surprised because after I started the car at the same gas station, after filling up gas,the engine light was gone. Could it be something to do with the fuel system?
I never got to know what the problem was or what the cause was. The light never came on again until today. I'm worried though the car engine runs normal. Please advise. Still looking forward to keeping this vehicle for another 5 years as I can't afford another new car.
Thanks guys
Freddy
Thanks![/QUOTE]

Straight_4_N/a

[/QUOTE]

Because its not causing any issues and its going and coming I just wait till its on again and get to your local garage quick and have them put a coder reader on the car to find it, Most prob a dicky sensor......

icecool1

maybe buying a focus zetec 1.8 16v xreg this weekend which has this same cutting out problem , its been taken to a electrics specialist garage today which showed no problems so they have removed a code off computer on car that they say should help , otherwise they suggest replacing the onboard comp thing at a cost of 250 quid ? so hoping it dosent need it ...any thoughts ????? i have also seen posts saying cleaning out the engine idle unit also helps ????

oldford

This is contradictory. When you have to remove something there is a problem.
I would not buy this car or prior to buying take it to another specialist/dealer who makes more sense in describing the problem.

Nathan2006

Thanks so much I disconnected the plug tonight and as I drove off it went like a rocket

I was having problems with the stuttering in 4th and 5th gear and almost always had to go into 3rd gear on a slip road while joining motorways/carriageways.

After having the car for over 5 years I've never known what it was until now.

Its like getting into a brand new car I'm so pleased

Thanks for the info

TinyBrown

I have a 2004 1.8 Zetec petrol Mondeo Mark 3, and was suffering from a stuttering under acceleration from low revs. What I found which luckily was before I went down the change major components was a simple pipe which is in the front of the inlet manifold leading to the EGR valve which Ford in their infinite wisdom have hidden behind the inlet manifold. Pipe had a split just out of eyesight. Luckily it was long enough to cut at split and still reach to re-join.