Ford Kuga advice please.

[Grumps]

If anyone has experience with Ford's your help would be much appreciated.
This happened today!

According to Jue all the electrics went berserk. Red "Engine Malfunction" came up on the dash, cruise control went on and off as it pleased, all the mileage digits and info screen went barmy and plenty of other stuff too.
It's been mentioned there are two junctions into the body control module under the glove box that work loose so I've checked them and all seems fine and are in position.
It's a push start ignition system and the key has been showing battery low on the dash for a bit, if it dropped to the point of failing briefly would that be enough to cause this to happen?
The RAC man downloaded the codes and...........

As has been said to me already it can't possibly have all these faults but one or two things must be causing them to kick up and cause the running problems.
Anyone come across this on any Ford's???
Any help or advice must appreciated.

Cheers
Grumps

 

[t-tony]

Suspect battery. Can cause a world of issues

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

I'd imagine with all the electronic gadgets on modern cars lately, that as Tony said, anything but a tip top battery could cause all manor of gremlins.

 

[t-tony]

If you have Volt meter Dave, check the battery voltage on the battery POSTS themselves NOT the clamps or connections. Check the main battery connections are tight too and the main earth at the body if you can get to it. If you have a set of jump leads connect one between the battery earth terminal and the engine block somewhere.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

Haven't got a volt meter mate. Battery on car seems absolutley fine. Starts first time every time. I have checked the main earth to the body and the battery terminals and they are good and tight.

 

[Redline]

Suspect battery. Can cause a world of issues

Tony.

Mentioned this to Ju on a post on facebook Tony. When the voltage gets low all the modules start throwing errors and comms errors too. Can happen with no warning.

Voltage with no load and engine off (for a few minutes at least) should be 12.6V if the battery is fully charged. Anything below 12V likely to be duff unless the car has been started a few times and short journeys done especially after a cold night - the glow plugs will pull 60A for a few seconds as well as the battery pulling many amps cranking the engine. That's not going to help a poorly battery.

Best to get the battery discharge tested to prove it good or bad before you start looking for other problems. A simple voltage check is a good start but not conclusive.

If the battery is the problem, it needs changing because it may cause the alternator damage too.

 

[Redline]

Haven't got a volt meter mate. Battery on car seems absolutley fine. Starts first time every time. I have checked the main earth to the body and the battery terminals and they are good and tight.

Quite possible to get the engine to start Dave. A high capacity battery can still give enough current to crank the engine even if it is faulty.

 

[Grumps]

Quite possible to get the engine to start Dave. A high capacity battery can still give enough current to crank the engine even if it is faulty.

So if this is the case Ian would it run for so many miles then start faltering?

 

[mwpe]

It is difficult to check a battery with a normal voltmeter or multitester, I have got one of these which has proved very useful over the years.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Diag...h=item34046098fd:g:BVwAAOSwzgRWxXdy:rk:6:pf:0

 

[Redline]

So if this is the case Ian would it run for so many miles then start faltering?

Yes indeed it can. The alternator can be running full tilt to try and charge battery so there’s no indication of a fault. The electronics however are very intolerant of low voltage.
Does the car have electronic handbrake and/or steering?
They use lots of current when operating - enough to collapse the voltage enough I would have thought.

My old Freelander threw HDC (think that’s what it was) errors on startup due to faulty batteries long enough before it failed. It was good early warning.

 

[Grumps]

Yes indeed it can. The alternator can be running full tilt to try and charge battery so there’s no indication of a fault. The electronics however are very intolerant of low voltage.
Does the car have electronic handbrake and/or steering?
They use lots of current when operating - enough to collapse the voltage enough I would have thought.

My old Freelander threw HDC (think that’s what it was) errors on startup due to faulty batteries long enough before it failed. It was good early warning.

It's got electronic power steering Ian.

 

[t-tony]

My friend the Auto Electrician who sorted the Airbag light on my car for me was telling me of a few strange events he's had recently. One of these was the indicator tell tale lights not working (MOT fail) and after several wild goose chases he discovered the reason was ..................... , the outside temperature sensor had failed !!! WTF. Cars these days are getting to smart for their own good.

Tony.

 

[Mazza]

The easiest way round the problem is to let her drive the Zed and leave the Kuga at home

 

[Redline]

The easiest way round the problem is to let her drive the Zed and leave the Kuga at home

@andyglym can give guidance and tips for driving along farm tracks

 

[andyglym]

@andyglym can give guidance and tips for driving along farm tracks

'Tis true

 

[Brian4]

Sounds battery going flat. does Jue do short trips or stop start as this won't allow battery to charge. I guess these fords have the intelligent charging so may need the battery coding to the car.

 

[Grumps]

Sounds battery going flat. does Jue do short trips or stop start as this won't allow battery to charge. I guess these fords have the intelligent charging so may need the battery coding to the car.

Almost all short trips Brian.

 

[Jjim]

I've got a voltmeter Dave. Let me know if you want me to pop around.

 

[Grumps]

I've got a voltmeter Dave. Let me know if you want me to pop around.

I'm going to pop to Halfords on my way home for a free battery check mate. Thanks for the offer.

 

[Grumps]

I've also spoken to the supplying garage and after explaining my Consumer rights as I've had it just less than 6 months (very just ) tomorrow to be exact they are obliged by law to put the vehicle right or refund me the full amount back if it turns out to be a major problem. He actually took it very well asking me to get a diagnosis locally and let him know the problem. The call is logged now in case the matter has to go to TS which hopefully it won't. Obviously if it's the battery I shall put a new one on and all is well in the world.