Ford Focus Dash gone blank

Known? Yes, go to dealer.

Quick? Doubtful.

Ford has responded to the recent Watchdog TV programme on this issue by offering a fix for 99UKP.

to BBC website.) They have also issued a helpline phone number:

0800 166 166

BTW, I wouldn't regard myself as "stranded" if the only fault with my car was that the instruments didn't work...

Chris

Plus VAT?

According to a guy who contacted Watchdog when it was first reported, he cured it on his Focus by removing and unplugging the instrument cluster, then spraying the plugs and sockets with WD40, but I would suggest it would be better to spray them with switch cleaner. Mike.

Heh, stranded because of no clocks...

I believe that the Ford PATS system bonds the instrument cluster into the immobiliser etc. Thus, you cannot just swap a instrument cluster into another car - it just won't start.

If this is the case, then if the failure affects all the dials, potentially, it may also affect the PATS part - however, in this case, I doubt the symptoms would be described as "dash, clocks etc, has just gone blank" - rather it would probably be described as "it wouldn't start" - although that could be the stranded part.

D

This happens with certain German cars; didn't think it was so with the Focus?

Pretty unlikely if you read the BBC reports. One of the complaints is that failure lead to someone getting a speeding ticket...

Chris

Are you suggesting driving with NO SPEEDOMETER?

Think of the children, for God's sake...

The 2nd entry after the link is a description of how Ford PATS is meant to work:

Whether it's correct is another matter, but there are other posts out there suggesting the same thing.

I agree that the Watchdog complaints appeared to purely be instrument failure. However, by the description of the OP being "stranded", makes you wonder whether there's more to it than just lack of instruments - and if the entire instrument cluster has died, and if the transponder codes are stored in the cluster - you potentially have a "stranded" situation. A whole load of 'ifs' though...

D

You could try tying a weighted rope to the back of your car, with a few knots tied in it. Just get someone in the back seat (a kid - sure they'd love this) to look out the rear window and count the number of knots which are off the ground. Quick and easy speedo.

Alternatively, do what I did when my speedo failed. Just used my TomTom as a backup. Okay, might have slight delay, possibly inaccurate on bends - but actually I was surprised to find I pretty much drove at the correct speed without having to adjust much.

D