I have a Ford Focus estate Ghia 2.0 petrol that has an intermittent battery drain issue. The fault was traced to the fact that the LCD dashboard display was staying illuminated sometimes and thereby draining the battery over night. The instrument cluster was removed and tested and found to be "damaged beyond repair". My garage therefore recommended that the whole instrument cluster be replaced as they were 99.9% certain that this was the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, having the cluster replaced at the cost of £750.00 of my hard earned did not solve the problem as 9 times out of 10 the LCD display is still illuminated after 45 minutes of locking the car. The garage have checked the car over and ran various diagnostic tests but have not found any problems. They also sent the car to a Ford main dealer who again checked the car over and they could not find any problems. This cost me a further £90.00. The Audio system (travelpilot EX), CD changer, Bluetooth have been disengaged at various times but this has had no effect and the LCD more often than not will remain illuminated. The car uses a keyless system. The car's battery is only 6 months old and is the correct one for the car and has been retested and been found to be in good condition. The car doesn't have a tracker device fitted as far as i know but i am attempting to contact the previous owner to confirm this, as it has been suggested to me that this could be a reason the the problems i'm experiencing. I am by no means a car mechanic or a person of unlimited funds so any help talkford members could give me on isolating what could be causing the system not to shutdown would be greatly appreciated. As you can imagine the current situation is making me tear my hair out not knowing whether my car is going to start in the morning.
warrior71
Hi
I've just bought an 06 Focus 1.6 Ghia and being a newbie Focus owner posted a couple of issues on the forum, 1 of which was the lcd mileage display and the radio display remaining illuminated for a long period after switching off the ignition.
My display switches off after a period of time(I haven't actually timed it but it's probably about 10 mins) and I was advised this is normal.
Regards
Colin
I've just bought an 06 Focus 1.6 Ghia and being a newbie Focus owner posted a couple of issues on the forum, 1 of which was the lcd mileage display and the radio display remaining illuminated for a long period after switching off the ignition.
My display switches off after a period of time(I haven't actually timed it but it's probably about 10 mins) and I was advised this is normal.
Regards
Colin
Hi Colin
My issue with the LCD staying illuminated was for a much longer period of time i.e it would remain illuminated all night and i'd have a flat battery in the morning. I subsequently traced the fault with help from members of the BBA Reman forum to a faulty microswitch in the steering lock mechanism - basically if you engaged the steering lock the LCD wouldn't shut down. I think i'm right in saying that this is only a problem with cars using the keyless system. I also think that your are right when you say that the LCD shutting down after about 10 minutes is normal as that is what i have been told and read etc.
Hope info helps.
My issue with the LCD staying illuminated was for a much longer period of time i.e it would remain illuminated all night and i'd have a flat battery in the morning. I subsequently traced the fault with help from members of the BBA Reman forum to a faulty microswitch in the steering lock mechanism - basically if you engaged the steering lock the LCD wouldn't shut down. I think i'm right in saying that this is only a problem with cars using the keyless system. I also think that your are right when you say that the LCD shutting down after about 10 minutes is normal as that is what i have been told and read etc.
Hope info helps.
An LCD wouldn't drain a charged car battery overnight. It is more likely all the other electrics would also be staying active and that is what would be draning the battery. From memory, all but a few key electrical systems should shut off an hour after the ingnition is turned off, Maybe this is not happening and that is the problem?
HI I'm having same issue with keyless entry focus 2006 ,turn off ign..lock it ..dasboard stays illuminated...by morning still illuminated,leave it for 3-4 days ..battery goes flat, been told paying for a diagnostic= waste of money it does'nt show anything,fitted new battery,now have the old bat charged nowt wrong with it, just the poxy dash staying on driving me nuts ! can anyone help, ive tried not engaging steering lock ..still stays on : (
Yep! tried that ,gone out 8 hours after locking it whithout fob...still on ,have been monitoring charge in battery with multimeter & its definately draining,leave it 3-4 days it goes flat,i replaced battery ,still loses,n charges right up if i take it for a run ..so its not the alternator,did have it booked in at ford dealer for diagnostic ,but cancelled as other info on net suggested it was a waste of money £85,just spent virtualy that on new battery that i didnt need,no finding any realistic answers on the net,so ive now taken out fuse 46 re handbook,and retrofitted a small 2core wire with a little switch out of the way wich also acts as an imobiliser ..wich is just as well because now ive done this..i dont think the alarms on as red light isnt flashing re alarm ,will be checking for any drain with multimeter next few days,dont you just love n hate modern computer managed motors.Think i may of fixed the leaking boot on this 06 focus ..its only 7years old 25k on clock,still searchin for a clear answer to dash prob,other than my little switch.
Well ive tested my 06 keyless entry focus ...with steering lock on ..dashboard still stays on , tried leaving steering lock off ...dashboard still stays on !, so i'm thinking the problem is not quite the same as Warrior71's (microswitch on steering lock ),so back to square one..think i'll have to find a sh1t hot independent auto electrician who has state of the art testing equipment,meanwhile the switch ive fitted to fuse 46 is cureing the problem of battery drain which is something i guess ....the quest goes on for the answer ..damned if i'm gonna go the route of expensive process of elimination by replacing things that dont need replacing....
I have the exact same problem. Had it for the last 6months. LCD staying illuminated overnight and battery being flat the next morning. 06 1.8 petrol with keyless entry.
Flyingdoc.....looks as though we have the same problem and the culprit is the ignition barrel. There is a small microswitch that a flag on the barrel should contact when pulled out. After removing my barrel and taping the switch down, the car now appears to go to sleep as it should.
The job is very easy. Upper and lower steering column cowling off and you have access to the igniton. Purchase a new ignition from Ford, £250ish, and build up to suit your key, transponder receiver etc. This can all be done on your kitchen table so although its fiddly, anyone with a logical mind should be capable of doing it. Re-install in the car and away you go!
The only other question i have on this...is on my 06 1.6 focus ..where the ignition barrell usually takes a key..mine does not ..it has a rectangular handle connected to it ,theres not many of these around ..so i am finding it very hard to find replacement part..unless it can be replaced with a normal barrell n key,wich are easier to get.
This is the same as mine. Keyless entry but instead of a starter button, there is a fob permanently fixed to the ignition barrel. If you give your Ford dealer your reg when ordering the replacement barrel, they will supply you with the correct part for your vehicle.
this has reared its head a few times b4 and Fordboi is right on the money ...its a switch/contact in the steering column thats faulty...so read what he says...be sure that it is actually draining the battery first b4 buying any parts as the radio and instrument cluster remain illuminated for maybe 10 mins b4 switching off...mine does...if it doesn't switch off...and it stays illuminated permanently then...needs fixed
I vaguely remember one guy sticky taping down the faulty contact....to save on money....might work lol
I vaguely remember one guy sticky taping down the faulty contact....to save on money....might work lol
Hi,
I have just bought a 2005 Focus Estate and has the illuminated dash issue ~
Does anyone know if spraying the ignition key access point with WD40 or similar to lubricate it would help or is there another more suitable product?
Thanks
Doubt it, probably be better off oiling the key, then putting it the ignition. Wouldn't advise doing either though. Interestingly, my cars dashboard like to stay lit on occasion - I'm 99% sure its to do with it believing the lights are on - even if the light switch is out the car in my hand. I'm at a complete loss. Thinking dodgy earth or short now. Bloody ford electrics.
Hi guys. Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I have the same problem on a newly acquired 2006 1.8 Ford Focus Sport with Keyless Entry.
When I turn off the car the dash says "engage steering lock" but it won't engage. Subsequently, the dash remains illuminated forever.
Can anyone else provide any more details on this fix above please?
When I turn off the car the dash says "engage steering lock" but it won't engage. Subsequently, the dash remains illuminated forever.
Can anyone else provide any more details on this fix above please?
I've got this same fault on my Ford Connect. 1.8 tdci. 07 reg. I had a flat battery recently. Charged it. Couple of days later, flat again. I bought a new battery. Then I noticed the trip computer light had stayed on. So I Googled it and this thread showed up. It must be a common Ford problem then. A nice earner for the Ford dealers?
Suggest the Alternator is on it's way out!
I have a 08 reg car. First sign for me, was a total failure of the steering and electrics, not what one wants whilst driving. (Steering pump needs alternater to run it).
Fault is caused by short circuit on the special charging system alternator. I noticed same illumination of some instruments whilst ign switched off after I fitted a slave battery to get car going.
Replacement of alternature is an expensive business. £300+.
I have sinced found out that fault can be rectified. Some people in the know who working on car electrics are aware of the repair.
Without removing the labour intensive alternator removal, it is possible to do something on the wiring!
I have a 08 reg car. First sign for me, was a total failure of the steering and electrics, not what one wants whilst driving. (Steering pump needs alternater to run it).
Fault is caused by short circuit on the special charging system alternator. I noticed same illumination of some instruments whilst ign switched off after I fitted a slave battery to get car going.
Replacement of alternature is an expensive business. £300+.
I have sinced found out that fault can be rectified. Some people in the know who working on car electrics are aware of the repair.
Without removing the labour intensive alternator removal, it is possible to do something on the wiring!
Sorry,
The mechanic who was given the job of changing my car alternator had known of a guy in the town of 'March' who knew how to do a fix when alternators they started shorting out. I will check when passing by my repairer place if he knows the alternator fixers name and garage name...
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