I was at the dealer yesterday to get the nav fault on my wifes 13 escape looked at and there was a 13 focus SE sedan there with 918 miles on it and the electrical went haywire and quit running and refuses to start like yours. turns out a mouse got in and chewed on the wiring under the fuse box next to the battery. Might want to look there first.

BTW the tech told me that fixing chewed wiring is not a warranty repair so the old lady who owns it is on the hook for the repair, unless her insurance covers it.

 

...After fiddling with the car and disconnecting the battery for a few min's with no luck, I ended up calling CAA to get it towed to the dealership. That is where it currently sits and refuses to start...

Hi MetalMuffins,

Since you live in Canada, I recommend reaching out to my colleagues at Ford Canada so that they can assist you. Give them a call at 1-800-565-3673 and fill them in on what you've been experiencing; they'll be happy to see how they can help.

Keep us posted on how things progress with your vehicle!

Crystal

 

Just a quick update for those who are interested. I just got a call from the dealership and they have yet to pin point the problem, but believe it is an issue with the wiring harness.

They have arranged a rental for me and have agreed to pay for this. So far, so good and pleased with the service.

 

...They have arranged a rental for me and have agreed to pay for this. So far, so good and pleased with the service.

I'm glad to hear that things are moving in the right direction, MetalMuffins!

Crystal

 

There have been reports of wiring under the battery/fuse block shorting. One of the guys in Sonic's had it happen, think it was _Red_

found it
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=307655&highlight=wiring

 

Thanks for the heads up, but I think this is a different issue as he stated that there was no power at all. I still had fuctioning windows, radio, etc. I even used SYNC to call CAA. []

 

Well, I got my rental last night. I was told that I would be getting an F150 on the phone and was very excited. Problem is, when I got there, they had an automatic Fiesta sedan with summer tires (We've gotten about a foot of snow over the last 24 hours)[rant] ... so that's what I am stuck with until... who knows.

I will update once I hear back from the dealer, hopefully today.

 

LOL sorry to hear it. I live in Cleveland know Father Winter fairly well. I don't know why they even sell those cars in good numbers in our locations. It's nice for a summer MPG driver, but as soon as it gets near winter those things are horrible (along with all small cars like that).

Hope you can make it back to the dealership intact =P

 

MetalMuffins,

I think you are one of the most level headed, laid back Mk3 poster on this website ever. You are one cool dude. Love your post and your attitude!

2008 Ford Focus

 

Thanks for the complement 2008, I try not to let the MK3 bug catch me too much[screwy].

Also, time for the latest update.

Just got a call from the dealership, and was told that Ford is going to have them replace the main wiring harness, which is coming from the states and will be "a few business days" as I'm told. I guess I'm stuck with the Fiesta for the weekend. My dog won't be that happy, but I will live.

On the bright side, every minute I spend driving the Fiesta, I like my focus more and more. Can't wait to have her back![burnout]

 

Well, I received a call from the dealership this afternoon. They told me that the part that was ordered last week was not the correct part, and the correct one was on back-order. After some discussion and a few calls, they agreed to replace said wiring harness with one from another new car on the lot. I am expecting to hear back from them some time tomorrow on the matter.

On a side note, I have had it with the Fiesta I have been driving. My blood starts to boil every time i need to take it anywhere, and it vibrates like nothing else on the highway. [rant] I can't wait to have my own car back!!![sadpanda]

 

Well, I received a call from the dealership this afternoon. They told me that the part that was ordered last week was not the correct part, and the correct one was on back-order. After some discussion and a few calls, they agreed to replace said wiring harness with one from another new car on the lot. I am expecting to hear back from them some time tomorrow on the matter...

Hey MetalMuffins,

I just wanted to touch base with you and see how the repair went. Any news from the dealership?

Crystal

 

Hopefully you get your car back soon man! Your dealership seems to be taking care of you fairly well, that's good to hear!

 

The dealer may be taking care of you, but what about the future customer whose new car was canabilized for yours. Seems fishy to me. Smells like cod. Good luck MetalMuffins.

 

It's called an emergency repair on a sold vehicle, and generally is done only when there isn't a part available in a reasonable time frame. Normal examples are when the vehicle owner is from out of town but their new car breaks down miles and miles away from home. When the new warranty claimed part comes in it goes back onto the new dealer stock vehicle and its repaired to 100% saleable condition prior to sale.

Afaik if its smaller than x amout of value or damages the dealer is not obligated to tell the person who buys that car about the service performed
on it.

Its probably hidden in their warranty policy manual afaik.

 

I had an 86 Hyundai Excel with Pirelli All Season tires and it cut through the snow with ease. So I guess not all small cars are bad in Winter

MetalMuffin, sorry to hear about the issue you are having. It seems that the dealership is taking care of you and hopefully have a permanent fix. Good Luck.

 

Well, time for "hopefully" the last update. I got my car back today. They have now replaced the wiring harness that connects to the passenger seat to the BCM. They have driven the car about 100 miles and not had an issue with it.

What I gather from everything is that there was a bad connection between the harness that they replaced and the BCM. I will try to scan the service report that I got to show what they found / did in order to resolve the issue in case someone else has this problem.

The mechanic that was working on the car told me that ford has a service bulletin pertaining to this particular harness causing similar issues on the MK3 focus.[read]

Also, I didn't realize how much I missed the focus until I got it back today. I drove home with a huge grin and stood in the driveway looking at it when I got there. Love my car! [lockdance]

 

Well, time for "hopefully" the last update. I got my car back today. They have now replaced the wiring harness that connects to the passenger seat to the BCM. They have driven the car about 100 miles and not had an issue with it...

Fantastic news, MetalMuffins. I'm glad to hear that you and your Focus were reunited!

Crystal

 

Service order as promised:

 

Good to hear you are back up and running!

 

Hello again,

I have a slightly off-topic update. I have not had any of the problems that this thread was addressing arise again. I stand by saying that the repair completed by the dealership seems to have fixed the issue I was having. []

However, I was washing the car this weekend as it was great weather (15C and sunny), and I noticed something that was not there before.

As you can see, there appears to be some kind of chemical burn on the B/C pillar trim that I am sure was not there before. I also noticed this:

There are scratches in the rear passenger window. You can feel them etched into the glass, and I did try cleaning / rubbing the B/C pillar trim. This made no difference.[bawling]

I'm not amused to say the least, but I stopped in at the dealership after work and talked to the same person that I have been dealing with since the beginning of this. He said that he would need to get the service manager involved, and seems genuinely concerned, so I will keep myself in check and see how this evolves. I have emailed these pictures to the dealership, and will be in during the next few days to meet with the service manager...

 

Hopefully the dealership will make good on these things.. about 15 years ago i had my old escort in for servicing and when i picked it up there was a huge gash in the paint on the front bumper.. Like someone dropped a tool on it.... i brought it to their attention and as i always had my car maintained by this dealer they knew i took good care of the vechicle... also , the car was white so it was really noticable... long story short, they fixed it at no charge to me....

 

Sorry to hear this MetalMuffins. I hope you get resolution. New Cars sometimes can be frustrating to own. I would think the b/c trim issue could be addressed with wax. The glass on the other hand could have just been a rock stuck between the glass and the body of the car and there is not much you can do about that.

 

Well, I stopped in at the dealership at lunch and the mechanic, service adviser and service manager all came to take a look at the car. They agreed to do something about the trim, be it fix or replace, but the glass looked to much like deliberate damage (IE someone keyed it).

I can't really argue with this, as it does look deliberate. I honestly hope that this is strictly coincidence and I will give them the benefit of the doubt this time as I have been treated well on all other accounts.

On that note, they took the car to the cleaning department for a few minutes and managed to get the marks off of the trim with wax / clay bar. I guess I will just have to live with the window for the time being.

 

They agreed to do something about the trim, be it fix or replace, but the glass looked to much like deliberate damage (IE someone keyed it).

I can't really argue with this, as it does look deliberate. I honestly hope that this is strictly coincidence and I will give them the benefit of the doubt this time as I have been treated well on all other accounts.

I fail to see how that is relevant.

What is important is where the damage happened and not how it happened, no?

 

This engine fault just happened this morning to my parent's 13' Escape. I wonder if the escape has the same bad harness?

 

The escape and focus share the same platform AFAIK. Very well could be.[dunno]

 

I hate my 2013 ford escape

I hate my car with a passion!!! I bought it brand new 03/22/13 and within a week the car was jerking when stopping and pulling away. I took it to the dealer and was told it's the "breaking in period" and to come back when the car had at least 1500 miles on it. So I kept driving and putting unnecessary miles on it. Took it back because it kept doing it. Turns out it had a faulty body valve, torn gaskets and hoses!!! They had to tear out the tranny, tear it apart to replace the parts. I was in a rental for 8 days. I called Ford customer service to buy back the car. I didn't buy a $34.500 dollar brand new car to have this issue already!!! The day after I get the car back, I was driving on the freeway and lost power. I would push the gas pedal all the way to the floor board and nothing. RPMS would go through the roof. THANK GOD I WASN'T HIT FROM BEHIND!!! Had to have the car towed to the dealer. What they told me was that the tech who worked on my car didn't properly secure a hose (I think it's bullshit but I can't prove it). So now yesterday 05/24/13 I get in my car after work and start the car and the error message comes up "Engine fault, service now." I called the dealer and was told my the assistant service manager that the car is unsafe to drive and to have it towed back to the dealer. I've had this car for 2 months now and I've been in a rental more often that my car!! I got a letter from Ford saying my car doesn't qualify for the CA lemon law. I HATE YOU FORD WITH A PASSION! Whatever happened to making the customer happy...buy the piece of shit back from me. I'm tired of the excuses from the dealership and the games they are playing! I am going to contact an attorney next week. I don't feel safe in this car whatsoever. My safety is more important than this car and the dealership doesn't care.

 

This exact thing happened to me this morning. driving up a slight incline, the motor choked a bit, then my dash board lit up like Christmas. It's at the dealership now and I haven't heard back from them.

 

Just got off the phone with my dealership. Apparently, the wiring harnesses that run from the front of the car to the back are in stupidly exposed areas underneath the drivers and front passenger seats floor mats. In my car, they said several wires had broken from their connectors and the exposed wire was grounding with the frame. They replaced those wires and it worked.

More troubling than this was that they said the computer had no record of this incident occurring. (Trust me, I don't call roadside assistance and walk 3 miles the rest of the way to work for nothing.) This is kind of spooky but I got that Engine fault message on three different starts and an engine light on the last start when I had to position the car for the tow truck. Odd.

Mark

 

Just got off the phone with my dealership. Apparently, the wiring harnesses that run from the front of the car to the back are in stupidly exposed areas underneath the drivers and front passenger seats floor mats. In my car, they said several wires had broken from their connectors and the exposed wire was grounding with the frame. They replaced those wires and it worked...

Thanks for the update, Mark. Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need assistance in the future; I'll be happy to do what I can to help.

Crystal

 

curious how this ended up as i am getting the same error on my 2014 ford focus S and found this thread

 

Holy back from the dead Batman!

In my car, they needed to replace one of the harnesses, not sure what one now, other then it was under the passenger (and possibly driver) seat. It was covered under warranty.

Hopefully you can get it sorted out without too much of a hassle.

 

Well my girlfriend has a 2012 Focus and I unhooked the battery to clean the terminals because they were corroded real bad. Got it all cleaned up and now it is doing the same as yours. Everything works and powers on just when you crank it there is nothing. In the info center of the car it says Engine Malfunction need service. Gonna have to probably have it towed into ford to find out what is wrong. Didn't have a problem until I unhooked the battery to clean it. They said that shouldn't have affected anything by doing that when I called them.

 

Make sure the terminals are tight by twisting them by hand. The earlier ones at least used crap terminals that a good cleaning removed enough material and the limited clamping range did not then tighten the clamp even though the bolt will be very tight. Dunno what terminals the later cars use.............

Slightly loose will let everything work except the starter, it pulls too much amp and then the slightly loose stops it from working.