Ford Fiesta dipping in 5th gear

[JanineG]

I have a problem with my fiesta when driving anything over 50/60 mph. It feels as though the engine dips, and then spurts up again, almost like the engine has been turned off for half a second and then surges. When it does this, the rev counter flies all over the place of its own accord. Driving to and from work on the motorway is becoming quite scary at times because I just don't know when its going to dip and surge.

Its been happening for ages but a diagnostic showed no problem and the mechanic said he couldn't find anything wrong when he took it out for a spin. However, we're not convinced he actually did take it anywhere to see the problem - he preferred to tell my other half it must be the way I drive, which it isn't, as the other half has the same problem. Any ideas on what I can do? By the way, the car is an M reg, 95, 1.6 fuel injected twin over-head cam, xetec so its normally quite a nippy little number. Thanks in advance for any help! xx

[oldhamfan]

It's a long-shot but check the battery cable. I had a Metro GTi with this problem, and that used to die for a few seconds with an erratic rev counter.

However, if you drove through a puddle it would die completely. I was at a complete loss as to what it could be, but the RAC on the 4th / 5th call-out spotted it!

[tinah84]

im having exactly the same problem with my fiesta as well, ive taken it back 3 times now cos my engine warning light comes on and they have replaced something everytime but i think it did it again the other day - it always starts when i have been doing motorway driving and can completely agree that it gets scary! if you ever find out what it is please let me know and i will do the same!! good luck with yours!

[tina22]

my fiesta does the same thing as well - exactly! ive taken it back 3 times now and every time they have supposedly changed something but everytime it just keeps re appearing! theyve just changed something to do with a coil relay or something but still dont think its fixed it, ill keep you posted if you keep me posted if you have any success!! would be much appreciated cos i am starting to dread motorways as well!

[JanineG]

Tina - I'm so glad to hear it isn't just me! It's beginning to drive me wild! A friend's husband is an "old school" mechanic and has said he'll take a look for me, so I'll keep you posted on what he has to say.

Good luck - one way or another we'll get them both sorted out hopefully! (i can tell you its nothing to do with the exhaust which is what Kwikfit told me �85 later!).

Janine x

[tina22]

its STILL doing it! since i had it back from the garage i have hardly driven it but surely enough, i set off today and i was lurching all down the road and that damned yellow engine light came on!! im getting very sick of this car now....this will be the 4th or 5th time its gone into the garage with the same fault and ive only had the car since the end of august! not a happy bunny! will see what they say after this time it goes in and let you know! x

[tina22]

right well the garage has just called me up to say that they have replaced my spark plugs!!!! hmmm dont think thats the problem somehow but they obviously dont want my car at the garage anymore and are trying to get it out the way!! i can only try and hope that this has fixed it..somehow i dont think this will be the case!! case continues..

[JanineG]

Hope it is the spark plugs! That would be nice! At least I'd have an idea of what to tell them when I take mine back in next!

Does your engine start over-revving/making strained noises when your using clutch control or stuck in stop-start traffic so using the clutch a lot? Mine does sometimes, but it was really noticeable tonight when I got stuck in traffic which was on a hill, but if I put it in neutral and took foot off clutch it seemed to calm down.... just wondered if you'd had the same.

Janine x