Focus 2012

[mickyj]

Ok I had transmission issues got it replaced this morning I was driving . Suddenly engine temp flashes to high look at the gauge car flashes stop pull over then says engine needs service now . So in traffic I managed to get in the left lane engine screaming not my foot on the gas . Got to a no standing spot . About to call the RAA it had been a minute . Started it up temp gauge back to 1/2 way and fine
Drove home about to go out again in a short time
Had this happened to anyone else or have I a jinxed car

[kevino]

I m no expert but have had a few Focus and Fiesta
Two things.. maybe

When the batteries are getting close to life expiry the dash shows up odd messages

They have a control unit a PCU or TCU I think it’s called or is it ECU.

These wear out - electronic control unit

Maybe see a good auto electrican

Ford won’t do anything way outside warranty and dealer prob try and maximise their invoice

May not be these two things but might be

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

I m no expert but have had a few Focus and Fiesta
Two things.. maybe

When the batteries are getting close to life expiry the dash shows up odd messages

They have a control unit a PCU or TCU I think it’s called or is it ECU.

These wear out - electronic control unit

Maybe see a good auto electrican

Ford won’t do anything way outside warranty and dealer prob try and maximise their invoice

May not be these two things but might be

Thanks it was fine again drove around then it did it again on south rd was getting beeped . Did the same thing got it going got it home had shopping in the car .
So I called auto masters they are looking at and will also do a service it’s not due until January dealer was doing them .
Never going back to the dealer held it for a month said it was the battery RAA looked at it another dealer replaced the transmission if dealer had it was under warranty. So never going back
Hopefully auto masters will fix it or find out what’s wrong with
Car has been a jinx to me since dad gave it to us it’s only done just over 68’000ks

[kevino]

The thing is if the transmission was replaced under warranty it should be good to 120000kms.
Our Fiesta had all of 3 replacement transmission s paid by Ford but the last one was great-ceramic clutches used. Never played up again. Moved it on when the ecu warranty ran out.

Come back and post again once auto masters report back -are you in Qld?

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

The thing is if the transmission was replaced under warranty it should be good to 120000kms.
Our Fiesta had all of 3 replacement transmission s paid by Ford but the last one was great-ceramic clutches used. Never played up again. Moved it on when the ecu warranty ran out.

Come back and post again once auto masters report back -are you in Qld?

No Adelaide
It’s costing $1365
I had trouble hearing the video thermostat cover seals there was fluid leaking they did brakes and something else
I assume I’ll get it tomorrow

Ford dealer normally charge over 500
So thermostat was 850

[kevino]

Best of luck.
Hope it’s all sorted and it settles down

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

Best of luck.
Hope it’s all sorted and it settles down

Thanks haven’t heard back yet hopefully I get it back today

[mickyj]

Ok got her back I’ve driven her around seems fantastic . They replaced what they were going to do did a full service . I asked about tyres which are good dealer was always trying to change tires got me once brakes still got life in them

[kevino]

They are a good car and if the transmission was done right should last up to say 125000 kms reckon that’s the right time to move it on.

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

They are a good car and if the transmission was done right should last up to say 125000 kms reckon that’s the right time to move it on.

So today it’s the best it’s driven since my dad gave the car to my son . Who now drives my car won’t say what brand .
So transmission was replaced last year
Cars done just over 68’000 kms in its 11 years of life my dad didn’t drive it far he shouldn’t have been driving . He’s gone now so it’s my car to drive around
Today it worked fine no issues fingers crossed on tomorrow
However Automasters said any issues with coolant take her straight back in
Seems they’ve done a great faster job than the first dealer with the transmission held onto the focus for a month no issue the battery they claimed RAA said transmission first dealer held it so it was out of warranty I believe second dealer took a week
Now dealer 1 always did their servicing since dad bought it new I was also taking it there that’s once a year .
Now Automasters do it every 10’000 K they’ve worked out 5 months
Why do dealers do 12 month servicing and number 1 thing you need new tyres they got me once on that

[mickyj]

Ok yesterday and today I took a section of Tapleys hill rd that is 80 no problem best it’s been
Now on the dash before the original transmission played up used to get it saying over 100 kms with a full tank . Transmission replaced it was saying 60 then 20 then 7 then 1 every trip
So perhaps what they fixed this week fixed all issues up
Again where the dealers actually doing the services correctly
Seeing they held onto the focus for a month told me transmission was good it was the battery we all know same battery but transmission was replaced by different dealer

[kevino]

I have heard this

Dealers got say forty cars to service in a day

At knock off only 38 get done

Two cars back to owners with no service

True or urban myth - don’t know

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

I have heard this

Dealers got say forty cars to service in a day

At knock off only 38 get done

Two cars back to owners with no service

True or urban myth - don’t know

Going by the video Automasters sent me besides the thermostat head going .
The intake valve of something was covered in carbon . Oil filter was dirty oil was dirt . Brakes still had 50% left on them . And fluid levels were low . The focus went to the dealer once a year as the dealer requested . Couple of things with the dealer before drop off they’d tell me new tyres they got me once saying the tires were old rubber would be gone . Then every service after they start with your tyres when I collected the car tyres were fine . A bit like the transmission held the focus for a month it’s not the transmission but battery when the car transmission went again the RAA told me the battery was in great condition. Second dealer replaced the transmission. A smaller issue the front office staff laughing at me at the lesser amount of Ks done .
So the car wasn’t due for a dealer service until January 2024 . Automasters fixed the thermostat issues and everything else with the service .
So Automasters do the service every 10’000 Ks really different to the dealer yes my dad never did the Ks and I’ll struggle to do the amount
But the focus fills so much a better car then when the dealer services it
I had them look at the tyres fine
Brakes 50% left
Battery good
And the Ks coming up on the dashboard like it was before the transmission was replaced . Drives so much better . And any fluid issues it’s covered by Automasters.

[kevino]

Sounds like a rip off dealer
Make sure you let everyone you know about the antics of this dealer

Sounds like Automasters will do the right thing by you

Glad you have it sorted

Should be a nice car now - get rid of it at 130000 or less

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

Sounds like a rip off dealer
Make sure you let everyone you know about the antics of this dealer

Sounds like Automasters will do the right thing by you

Glad you have it sorted

Should be a nice car now - get rid of it at 130000 or less

Thanks the dealer is a major sponsor of my SANFL footy team well the Kia section is
I may struggle to get to 78’000 by May next year see how I go . So far better than when dad handed it over to us . And thermostat seems to have held up knock on wood .

[kevino]

Good stuff
I got to work really hard to keep mine to 15000 a year

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

Good stuff
I got to work really hard to keep mine to 15000 a year

I have issues getting the Ks up so it’s a 11 year old car soon be 12 and it’s done just over 68’300 Ks one reason the dealers staff would laugh at me bringing it in for its 12 monthly service which is what dealers do or this one did . If I ever buy a new car again whatever make won’t be from this one . Besides the laughing and maybe not doing the work on servicing the focus and always saying needs new tyres then tell me no they are good . Public transport to go collect it one of the last services it to 90 minutes to get from the city to the dealer to collect the car . Auto masters couple of minutes to drive there maybe 5 to walk home . And a video showing what’s wrong with the car big bonus

[kevino]

The less km s you do the less it costs you in fuel

And the time to buy a newer car can be pushed out

What an odd dealer !

Automasters sound good

Wife’s got a 2021 vw polo
Took it to the dealer for first annual service

Charged $550 a blatant rip

Last years service took it to auto leaders who are like auto masters / yep/$420!!

Fxxxg dealers!

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

The less km s you do the less it costs you in fuel

And the time to buy a newer car can be pushed out

What an odd dealer !

Automasters sound good

Wife’s got a 2021 vw polo
Took it to the dealer for first annual service

Charged $550 a blatant rip

Last years service took it to auto leaders who are like auto masters ect / yep/$420!!

Fxxxg dealers!

Yep you’re not wrong about dealers . This ford one is strange let’s say it’s totally different to a Mitsubishi dealer for my other car
And yep correct about fuel

[mickyj]

Whatever the dealer did for servicing besides the transmission
The screen on the dash never got to much over 160 Ks in the tank
I’ve used basically half a tank now saying 598 Ks
What the F did the dealer not do that Auto masters did very strange drives a million times better than when my elderly dad have it to us

[mickyj]

Ok I’m so much happier with the focus now touch wood after saying that
If it had driven like this when dad gave it to us no problems
Just under 70’000 Ks so not driven a lot

[kevino]

Originally Posted by mickyj

Ok I’m so much happier with the focus now touch wood after saying that
If it had driven like this when dad gave it to us no problems
Just under 70’000 Ks so not driven a lot

Focus are a great car
Look after it and it will look after you

[mickyj]

Originally Posted by kevino

Focus are a great car
Look after it and it will look after you

Before the transmission issues and getting it replaced a dealer claiming a battery we could’ve argued that Kevino
But Automasters fixing the next issue and doing a service best it’s ever driven since dad gave his car to us .