Ford Focus Instrument Cluster problem.

[Vivavilla]

The insrument cluster on my 2003 Ford Focus has just had a total failure and had to be replaced at a cost of �285. Has anyone else experienced this problem as I've heard it's a common fault with the Focus, particularly Zetecs. I'm a bit annoyed because the car isn't too long out of the warranty and if it's a known fault, surely Ford should be offering some discount on the work??

[Vivavilla]

Well it looks like we've had some degree of success with the Watchdog publicity. I've had the same problem of having the mileage reset to zero and as the cluster had failed totally, the garage couldn't even certify what the mileage had been previously, I suppose the only way of proving this is by the MOT mileage recorded. Due to this I've written to Ford asking that they reimburse the whole cost of the repair and not just the difference between �99 and the total we paid.
I'm not that hopeful but it's worth trying. It does look as if they're accepting there is a problem after all. I'll let you know what response I get!

[YorkStu]

I recently bought a 1999 T-reg Focus and the instrument cluster went within six miles. Luckily, the garage I got it from had heard about the Watchdog publicity and I got it booked into a dealer. The work got done yesterday, I picked up the car and paid my 99 quid but, after driving 4.5 miles, the speedo went off again, then the mile-count disappeared, the traction control light came on and the temperature guage wasn't working. It's now back in the garage and I'm awaiting more news.
Incidentally, during the cluster problems, has anyone else also had problems with the car cutting out when coasting to a stop at junctions and the car feeling like it is holding back?

[sueemery66]

hi all i seem to have a similar problem with a slight twist.
I have a 1999 Ford Focus Zetec Estate. The the problem I am going to describe started about 2.5 years ago it is intermittent and has progressivley gotten worse. It starts with the speedo going down to zero...(when this happens there is a loss of power) if the speedo stays down for a good few minutes the mileometer goes blank. If a approach a junction or a sharp corner where i have to slow down the car stalls. This isnt a problem when at a junction because the car stops anyway but when going around a corner it is dangerous because when the car stalls my power steering fails. When the speedo drops to zero I tend to drive with my hand overing over the ignition key. As you can imagine i have had a couple of very near scrapes. Do any of you think that this might be the instrument cluster?

[Birmins]

Following dazzy90's post, yes, we had our mileometer reset to zero by Ford when they replaced the speedo head in November after the cluster failed (see my earlier post): I was not happy - all the garage could do was put the best guess at the correct mileage on a piece of paper, based on the latest paperwork we had: very unsatisfactory if we ever come to sel the car!

[calamity57]

I have a 2001 Ford Focus. In Dec 2006 just after my loan was paid off and my warranty was up my car over heated. they replaced the broken part and then everything else that was connected to the temperature system of my car. (approx $1,500)It still registered as overheating on the temp gage. After a year of driving my car with this problem they set up a system in my car to see what was happening when it did this, to no avail. Next they decided that I needed my guage replaced. I was tired of paying for things that were not broken, so I just said forget it. Just yesterday I took my car in because the engine light had come on. I decided that I would have the guage replaced and was told that it would be the whole instrument cluster that needed to be replaced costing me $470 dollars (estimate).

[bluestreakbass]

Replace the small filament twist out bulbs at the back of the cluster .... they are part of the circuit electronics and a simple bulb failure can screw up the entire instrument cluster.. Test them with a meter is a good idea first to eliminate the good ones, I simply swapped out a good one at the top with the one behind the milage display ...and it is back in FULL working order.

[bluestreakbass]

Replace the small filament twist out bulbs at the back of the cluster .... they are part of the circuit electronics and a simple bulb failure can screw up the entire instrument cluster.. Test them with a meter is a good idea first to eliminate the good ones, I simply swapped out a good one at the top with the one behind the milage display ...and it is back in FULL working order.

[audbod3]

My 53 plate focus (57k) has done exactly the same! dash lights flashing and speedo spinning around!! Ford say that there has never been a recall which i think is ridiculous! My dad the handy man is going to try out 3 of the suggestions to sort out, so fingers crossed, if not the local scrap yard may be of use if they have the same car to scrap!

[Thom-D]

I got in my 02 focus this morning to find that nothing on the instrument cluster was working except warning lights.
I read on this site about spraying the circuit board with WD40 and four hours later the problem appears to be fixed. It does seem that the problem is caused by moisture. This could well be the case as the carpets in my car have not yet dried out properly from constant soaking by snowy feet and freezing temperatures over the winter.
It does not take very long to take out and replace the cluster with the correct tools. I did the whole job in under half an hour. After spraying the pcb with WD40 I gave it a hot blast for a couple of minutes with the hair drier and all systems are go.
Just to finish, Ford have dropped the price of a new unit drastically to £76 incusive of VAT (as a result of pressure from Watchdog no doubt), quoted by my local dealer. So if you want a new one fitted don't let them charge any more than half hour for labour.

[bluestreakbass]

Replace the small filament twist out bulbs at the back of the cluster .... they are part of the circuit electronics and a simple bulb failure can screw up the entire instrument cluster.. Test them with a meter is a good idea first to eliminate the good ones, I simply swapped out a good one at the top with the one behind the milage display ...and it is back in FULL working order.

[sarahcartronix]

I work for a company called Cartronix in Hampshire who specialise in Instrument cluster repairs.

Unfortunately we see the Mk1 Ford Focus clocks in every day for cluster problems!

The common problems are that the dials fail or drop to zero, complete failure and also the LCD showing ----

We have a solution for all these issues and charge a fixed rate of £99 inc vat to repair the Mk1 Focus cluster.

We have a next working day Postal service if you would like to remove and send us your instrument cluster for repair or failing that if you fancy a trip to the workshop in Hampshire we can remove repair and refit your instrument cluster while you wait. Our telephone number is 02392 265986.

You are more than welcome to take a look at our website. www.cartronix.co.uk

Hope to save you all some money and stress!

[johnjh87]

Mine has also totally failed from a couple of weeks ago. No dials work or millage shown. A full beam light and door open light is all. Took out the cluster then checked ECU board, some of soldering seems corroded on contacts. Yes it is a common ford problem, my mechanic has also confirmed this, he imformed me he has also dealt with quite a few. Who do I contact from Ford regarding trading standards?