Focus fuel & temp gauges - is this normal?

WillyNelson · 31 Jan 2008 at 10:13

I don't usually drive to work as Mrs N has the car most days, but this morning I noticed something unusual. When I parked up & switched off, both the fuel & temp needles went to the usual 'off' position at far left and then after a couple of seconds jumped back to halfway position where they stayed. I switched on & off again to make sure and they did the same thing.

A quick google tells me that this is either perfectly normal or a problem with residual current. If it's normal, why haven't I spotted it before :confused:

Should I worry?

monkeyspank · 31 Jan 2008 at 10:49

Mine don't do that.

Conscript · 31 Jan 2008 at 11:40

This a Mk1 or 2? I have a Mk1 and it doesn't happen on mine, gauges should only register with the ignition on. As far as I know, that's the norm for most cars.

You could try the diagnostics mode by following the steps listed here. When you first try it, it should do a gauge test and the dials will run through a full sweep, if that helps.

BigglesPiP · 31 Jan 2008 at 11:46

Is the battery going flat on its own at all?

WillyNelson · 31 Jan 2008 at 12:13

Mk1 and it was only serviced about 2 weeks ago. Haven't noticed any problems so far with the battery.

ardy89 · 31 Jan 2008 at 13:09

definitely not normal, my 03 plate focus doesn't do this.

I would take it back to the garage that serviced it and say "it started doing this since you serviced it"

needmorespeed · 31 Jan 2008 at 14:22

on my mondeo (mk2 98) the temp and fuel guage stay where they are when you turn the car off and should only move when you start the car again

WillyNelson · 31 Jan 2008 at 22:57

It didn't do it when I stopped at Waitrose on the way home nor when I got home. Hopefuly it's sorted itself out.

Nomisf · 1 Feb 2008 at 14:18

The question is , if they go back to where they were - does the temperature guage go down as the car cools(with iginition off). If so i would be looking for an electrical fault (not shutting off). If not it could be a residual current issue of some sort as mentioned above.