Calling all car gurus... - DPChallenge Forums

12/01/2008 06:57:21 PM · #1

I have an '04 Ford Focus. On the way home tonight, the ABS light came on. Maybe thirty seconds after that the dashboard went dead. Had the wife pull over, shut the car off to see if resetting the computer would help. Tried to restart it and it acted like a dying battery (which is less than 3 months old and over sized for the car.) You could hear a relay clicking. After a few minutes, the car started fine and we made it home all right.

Just now to test it out, I drove around the block a few times, then up to the party store. Once again when getting ready to leave the party store the ABS light came on and the car didn't wanna start. Waited a few minutes and it started. On the way home (a few blocks) the ABS light came on and there was clicking that sounded like it was coming from the dash. Car stalled at a stop sign. Waited a few minutes and made it home with one more repeat incident in front of my driveway.

Any ideas whats the problem?

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/01/2008 06:59:35 PM · #2

Replace the ABS light.

incubus

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

12/01/2008 07:05:32 PM · #3

i have a 04 focus too, and never had that problem. they will be better to help you here at www.focusfanatics.com

lectrol

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

12/01/2008 07:05:33 PM · #4

Possibly some kind of short. You said that the battery is oversized? Was it installed properly?

12/01/2008 07:08:54 PM · #5

Originally posted by lectrol:

Possibly some kind of short. You said that the battery is oversized? Was it installed properly?

I put it in myself. I'm not a car guy but I've done several batteries through the years...

incubus

Canon EOS-5D

12/01/2008 07:16:36 PM · #6

do you have abs??? my focus doesnt but has a light for it. when you start the car everything in the cluster lights up for a second and the gauges sweep.

12/01/2008 07:24:15 PM · #7

Originally posted by incubus:

do you have abs??? my focus doesnt but has a light for it. when you start the car everything in the cluster lights up for a second and the gauges sweep.

Yes I have ABS.

incubus

Canon EOS-5D

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

12/01/2008 07:36:10 PM · #8

might want to run by autozone if they have one by you, they usually check computer codes for free. Or you can try this (//www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=13) that is a instrument cluster test mode. one of the features it displays is diagnostic readings, the same codes a obdII devices will display. it wont tell you exactly whats wrong, but it will give you a code you can look up online.

MattO

Nikon D4

12/01/2008 08:30:17 PM · #9

Sounds to me like a possible loose ground or poor connection somewhere. Possibly ground 200 I think it is on the LF inner fender next to the battery. Has any of the recalls on the battery wiring been completed? Can you PM me the VIN number and I'll check it for open recalls or known concerns such as yours. BTW avoid Autozone..........they will sell you crap you dont need then when it doesnt fix it.......they will say thats what the code says it is........

Matt

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

12/01/2008 08:40:31 PM · #10

Originally posted by MattO:

Gimme a sec... I'll see If I can see the VIN in the dark...

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/01/2008 09:32:56 PM · #11

Originally posted by TooCool:

Originally posted by MattO:
Sounds to me like a possible loose ground or poor connection somewhere. Possibly ground 200 I think it is on the LF inner fender next to the battery. Has any of the recalls on the battery wiring been completed? Can you PM me the VIN number and I'll check it for open recalls or known concerns such as yours. BTW avoid Autozone..........they will sell you crap you dont need then when it doesnt fix it.......they will say thats what the code says it is........

Matt

Gimme a sec... I'll see If I can see the VIN in the dark...

Should be on your registration...

R.

jjstager2

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/01/2008 10:20:16 PM · #12

Check your battery terminals. They might be loose.

I had this sort of thing happen once when the weather got all rainy and humid - the cables at the battery terminals had started to oxidize. I poured a coke on it an this took care of the problem.

Look for excessive oxidation on the cables attached to the battery - especially if it has been humid in your area lately.

Also, if you have a friend with a code reader, get him to plug a code reader into your car to see if any codes might give you a clue as to what is going on.