2002 Ford Focus Engine Management Light

teulk

teulk

teulk

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The Engine Management light came on this morning, for the past few days i've noticed that the idle has been slightly rough but didn't think too much of of it. Even now the light is on there seems to be no other symptoms other than the slightly rough idle. The car accelerates fine etc. What are the most common problems associated with the Engine light coming on ?
I don't have time this week to take the car to a garage and have to drive it so that said, what are the implications of driving with the light on ? I had a Hyundai a few years back which i drove for about 10000miles with the engine light on and noticed no difference at all.
 
Might just be a sensor but always worth getting checked out.

I drove my old Corolla for about 4 years with the engine light on. I would have it checked out and there would be no codes so my mechanic would just clear it. Within a few days it'd be back on again.
 
I've cleared the light by disconnecting the battery, it's still running a little rough at idle so i expect the light to come on again. I will get it checked but it will have to be next week sometime unfortunately me. Unfortunately even more i have to make a 100mile or so journey tomorrow. Fingers crossed nothing major happens :-)
 
Buy yourself a scanner cable from auction for a tenner, plug your laptop in and take a look at the code. Much cheaper than a garage and you can use it again and again.
 
bainbridge said:
HT leads/coilpack is a likely source of the problem.
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With Fords, this is often the first port of call for MIL on and misfire.

Obviously it is best to do a proper diagnosis but Coilpacks/Leads/plugs are such a common problem I always pack a set whenever anybody reports such an issue.

The other thing that is an issue is leaking windscreen wash jets which fill the top of the engine up with water also causing such misfires. If you are really unlucky such leaking will eventually rot away the core plugs in the spark plug well so if you do have this problem it is essential that you dont ignore it.
 
Think it was only the 1998-2001 cars that had the issue of the water running down the washer hose and dripping into the spark plug wells.
 
Janesy B said:
Think it was only the 1998-2001 cars that had the issue of the water running down the washer hose and dripping into the spark plug wells.
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I am sure I have come across it on more recent cars, But I wouldn't want to have to state so in court! ;)

Edit to add.

In any case, the fault shouldn't be ignored. If it is the coil-pack then carrying on driving with the fault can damage the ECU. Then it gets expensive!
 
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Zaphan58 said:
I would think so, it looks the same as what I have.
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Contacted the seller and it doesn't work with Windows 8.1, not really a problem now as i dropped the car off at the garage this morning. Just awaiting the phone now call to let me know what the problem is.
 
teulk said:
Contacted the seller and it doesn't work with Windows 8.1, not really a problem now as i dropped the car off at the garage this morning. Just awaiting the phone now call to let me know what the problem is.
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I came across this problem recently with a fiat scan tool. (Multiecuscan Pro)

The problem isn't necessarily that it "Doesn't work"

It might well be that because the relevant drivers are "Unsigned", win8.1 wont allow you to load them. (And therefore the interface wont work)

You can overcome this by starting in "Safe mode" and selecting the option that overrides the restriction on loading unsigned drivers.

(Why are the drivers "Unsigned"? Well, the claim was that having them signed involves paying Micro$oft a load of money, something that represents a significant burden for a low volume manufacturer trying to keep costs down!)
 
Picked the car up earlier on this afternoon, the code was for cylinder 4 misfire. The garage said they couldn't detect a misfire and reset the code. The idle still drops slightly causing the headlights and any other lights for that matter to flicker. The only problem i have noticed with the car is the slight fluctuation in the idle speed. So basically £40 paid for very little! What now - just drive until the light comes on again and get the code rechecked ? I could have changed the plugs, leads and coil pack for what i've just paid.
 
Janesy B said:
Think it was only the 1998-2001 cars that had the issue of the water running down the washer hose and dripping into the spark plug wells.
Click to expand...

Similar thing happened on my 2005 Focus which was said to be a common fault, though I think the water entered around the washer jets.
 
teulk said:
Picked the car up earlier on this afternoon, the code was for cylinder 4 misfire. The garage said they couldn't detect a misfire and reset the code. The idle still drops slightly causing the headlights and any other lights for that matter to flicker. The only problem i have noticed with the car is the slight fluctuation in the idle speed. So basically £40 paid for very little! What now - just drive until the light comes on again and get the code rechecked ? I could have changed the plugs, leads and coil pack for what i've just paid.
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Tbh spending the same amount again on replacement coil, plugs and leads is a good course of action. I've had my mk1 focus 11 years and the only 2 times I ever had running problems was down to the coil pack and leads. First happened about 6 years ago, new coilpack and leads sorted it. Happened again in July, new coilpack and leads sorted it (and plugs).

I can't be certain but as mentioned it's very likely the source the problem.
 
Well the light is back on, so far every time it has came on it has been while in heavy traffic spending most of my time stationary with the car idling - i don't know if it's just a coincidence but could this point to anything in particular. The code last week at the garage was for cylinder 4 misfire but the garage couldn't detect a misfire.
 
If coil packs aren't too expensive just change the lot, plugs, ht leads and coil pack. If they are start with the plugs and leads.
 
Coil pack + plugs + leads will be around £100 in parts tops. Easy enough job to DIY too really.

I'd change the lot, then it's job done. 90% sure it's likely to be this.
 
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