bishbosh Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Sorry to distract you fine folk from the good business of Land Rovering, but I have a bit of a problem - Tonight was the first time I have driven our Ford Focus (1999 Diesel Estate) in the dark for some time. It would appear that I have some sort of an electrical problem: All the electrics work fine with the exception of: No dash illumination (all instruments work but not lit) No sidelights No tail lights No numberplate light No warning chime if the lights are left on with the drivers door open. All other lights function as they should. Typically I am away from home for the weekend so cannot access my Haynes book of lies and the in car manual doesn't offer any clues as to which fuse(s) are worth investigating. I sort of suspect the actual switch rather than a fuse as on the face of it, it is a fairly disparate collection of faults. Anyhow, is anyone closer to a Haynes book of lies than me and could take a look? Don't really want to go to a main stealers to diagnose an electrical fault..... All help greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Bish . It does sound like the switch ,and or the plug on the loom , Very common on mk5 transits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Neale Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Bish. It sounds like the main fuse for the sidelight circuits. Suggest you check (the circuits that the fuses are listed on the back of the fuse cover panel. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRX Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Sounds very much like the switch, Mk5/6 escorts do exactly the same thing when it goes wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkw90 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Had the same problem with my Focus also a 1999 and it was the switch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Bish,, are you glad its not a Merc Seriously,, we has a X plate Focus a month or so ago fail the MOT with the same symptoms,, dead on the side lamp circuit,, traced to the master light switch !! But would check the fuses first !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 LOL that was funnay Tim Bluddy Fords never go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 It's almost definitely the switch Mr Bosh. The fuse box cover should have pictures of what each fuse does. If the fuse is ok, then the wide variety of lights that the sidelight switch operates means that it's unlikely to be anything else but the switch itself. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reads90 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I think you will find the problem will be on the bonnet . In the middle towards the bottom. Such a serious problem, that to highlight it they have circled it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Bluddy Fords never go wrong No,, so long as you follow the instructions on the badge Fix Or Repair Daily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 Tim, I was going to allude to that in my first post but thought I might Focus on the problem at hand!! Tony - I never said they don't go wrong, just that they're cheaper (hopefully ) when they do!! On that point, WKW do you recall how much the switch cost? Thanks to all for your replies, except of course for Ali Will check the fuses in the morning and see what the damage will be for the switch from Fraud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 http://shop.ebay.co.uk/focus-light-switch_...0lightQ20switch £15-20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reads90 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 No,, so long as you follow the instructions on the badge Fix Or Repair Daily Here are some more , sorry could not resit Found On Rubbish Dumps Fails On Rainy Days F**ked On Race Day Found On Roadside Dead Factory Ordered Road Disaster Flip Over Read Directions Four Old Rusted Doors Ford Owner Really Dumb Fords Only Run Downhill F**K our Ride Died Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Bish,, got a feeling it was around the £35 odd, but then, not my department !! and as Tony says, a few on the bay at £15-20 mark!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Bish , before you go off buying a switch , Just check the multi plug connections where it connects to the switch , the little spade connectors sometimes just spread and may just need a squeeze up and a clean off . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_d Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 If it has not been used at night much then a vigorous waggling of the switch may clean a dirty contact or two. Will most likely still need a new one but perhaps not this weekend. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Not likely a fuse IMHO as being a Ford it will have one fuse for each side and another for the dash lights. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philj Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Similar thing happened on my wifes cmax the other month, turned out I had booted the fuse box which is in the passenger footwell. The connector was not seated right, gave it a push in and all was ok again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkw90 Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Tim, I was going to allude to that in my first post but thought I might Focus on the problem at hand!!Tony - I never said they don't go wrong, just that they're cheaper (hopefully ) when they do!! On that point, WKW do you recall how much the switch cost? Thanks to all for your replies, except of course for Ali Will check the fuses in the morning and see what the damage will be for the switch from Fraud. I think i paid around £50 from a main dealer . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 Thanks for all the feedback folks. Have checked the fuses , and as Chris says there is one for each side and they are both fine. The switch is used daily as I always drive with headlights on (throwback to my days in Canada). Just didn't notice the lack of dash lights as it hasn't been dark enough! Thanks for the link Tony, but not sure I want another unkown quantity so have bitten the bullet and ordered a new one from Fraud - £48.61 Hopefully that will do the trick! Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 That was pricey! I just purchased a genuine glass fog lamp lens for Vals SLK and it was £8.51 from Main dealer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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