Intermittent engine malfunction fault

[handicabs]

Hi all.
My name is Bob Parsons and new to the site.
In desperation with this on going fault I have turned to the internet as no one seems to be able to work it out!

When driving the car an intermittent fault occurs first the EPS  light comes on and then the yellow engine malfunction comes on and off with the engine losing/dripping in power and coming back again! Some times the head lights fade with power as well! It seems to be more prevalent either when its cold weather (near zero temp) or when driving on the motorway it happens most of the time!
I did have an incident last year when i got stuck 03.00hrs in the morning in about nearly one metre deep of water due to flooding in the area but this problem did not start until months after the event!I do not know if this would have any bearing on the issue? Look forwards to your suggestions,Regards Bob

[insanitybeard]

I'm not saying this has anything to do with your issues and they're different vehicles, but from my time working as a technician with Ford, I recall when the Focus C-Max was released back in 2004 Ford had implemented a new CAN-bus system in which the instrument cluster acted as a portal between high and low speed CAN signals. The C-Max was also one of the first Fords to use EHPAS (electro-hydraulic power steering). There was an issue either with the EHPAS unit/module or the connector to it, but when the fault occurred the instrument cluster would start to light up like a christmas tree with warning lights and messages popping up left, right and centre. The fix was a new EHPAS unit I believe, and possibly some treatment on the multiplug connector to the unit. I think that when the fault was occurring the CAN signals were being corrupted and affecting other systems.

That's one of the downsides of progress! 

[Chrispb]

Hi all.
My name is Bob Parsons and new to the site.
In desperation with this on going fault I have turned to the internet as no one seems to be able to work it out!

When driving the car an intermittent fault occurs first the EPS  light comes on and then the yellow engine malfunction comes on and off with the engine losing/dripping in power and coming back again! Some times the head lights fade with power as well! It seems to be more prevalent either when its cold weather (near zero temp) or when driving on the motorway it happens most of the time!
I did have an incident last year when i got stuck 03.00hrs in the morning in about nearly one metre deep of water due to flooding in the area but this problem did not start until months after the event!I do not know if this would have any bearing on the issue? Look forwards to your suggestions,Regards Bob

Hello Bob 
1 Metre deep that means the central fuse box would be totally submerged.
The car was obviously dried out but this could still be the result from the flooding, corrosion may have set in now causing all sorts of problems with modules/relays etc or were these replaced.
There is also the engine fuse box (next to air filter) although different in design to the MK2  the symptoms your describing are similar to the faulty crimp terminals on the MK2 battery fuse box.
Of course this is all assuming the battery itself is in good condition.

[insanitybeard]

Of course, as Chris says, if the vehicle was flooded enough to submerge major electrical system components then there's every chance this has caused oxidation and corrosion of electrical contacts etc in the months since the incident, therefore ignore my earlier remarks! It's entirely possible that certain things have never fully dried out and this has accelerated the oxidation or led to electrical shorts.

[gregers]

 

have you done the on board diagnostic check to see if any fault codes have been stored?
if you very luckey there might even be a tsb on your problem,but unless you know someone who can get access to them then it may mean a dealer visit?

[handicabs]

Thank you for all your help and advice guys. Problem solved. i sold the car!!!!!regards Bob