Driving at approximatly 50 MPH 5th gear, and the speedo drops to zero and about 50% of the power goes, sometimes this lasts seconds sometimes minutes!!!

Makes speed cameras a real test, major problem however is if you put the clutch in the engine stops...no steering no brakes!!

I have heard this is a problem with Foci but can't seem to find any real help

2002 1.8 zetec 3dr Focus

Cheers for any help
Matty
YNWA

 

bump

 

Try the speed sensor, its the plastic bit at the bottom of the speedo cable.

Thats if it has got a cable. Cant remember the year they went electronic


dave

 

this problem was on watchdog and is a common problem. it is the speedo sensor which you can get from ford for about Ł35

 

Is it something i can do myself, i am relatively handy, but my knowledge is poor!!

Fords tried to charge me 75 quid for a pring at the bottom of my gear stick. Bought that for 3 quid and did it myself, this gonna be something similar??

And is it actually called a "speed sensor"? ha

Cheers by the way
Matty
YNWA

 

Yes mate you can o it your self. the only hard bit is getting the roll pin out that holds it in place.



Dave

 

did that fix your problem mate as mine is doing the same thing

 

Don't know yet, picking up sensor tomorrow, then gonna have a bash myself, with no haynes manual!!

Will let you know how i get on

 

Got the part today Ł26.47 From fords, gonna have a bash tomorrow, will post results, fingers crossed

 

If anyone is still watching this to see the results, I have the part but neither have a decent jack or the money to pay a garage to do it for me, so it'll be waiting till the end of the month.....

Will post when done

 

Just spotted this.

The problem is DEFINITELY the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) packing up. Better to get it changed sooner rather than later as, at best, the speedo will just drop to zero every now and again but, at worst, the car will totally cut out at whatever speed you are doing (whether that is crawling at 5mph or caning it at 105mph), as I'm sure people can imagine it's better to get it sorted and avoid that kind of risk really!

The sensor is mounted on the back of the gearbox and it can be a relatively easy change BUT if the retaining pin doesn't want to come out or seizes then it's a gearbox off job to fish it all out and change the sensor over!!!

Best of luck with it if you are doing it DIY on a driveway with no instructions!