'Computer problem' 2010 diesel fiesta help.

[Midwifemum8]

Hello,

I am just looking for some experienced advice as my knowledge is very very limited when it comes to cars.

I bought my car 10 months ago, 2010 reg 1.6 diesel ford fiesta with 75K mileage. After a few weeks I got the 'engine malfunction service now's message (I've previously owned a peugeot 107 for 9 years which basically only had an oil light ever show) so I was majorly freaked out. (Also anxious woman driver).

So, I paid £200 for a full service and that included a filter change. A few months on, same problem, symptoms now included the car stalling when trying to pull off and sometimes randomly changing gear from 3rd to 4th. It would sometimes just lose power and I had to pull over wait and turn back on again.

Diagnostics showed fuel pressure was low, had the fuel pressure regulator changed in May 2020. The car has been running okay since then, had a minor gear stick problem in November and my normal mechanic knows what I'm like so looked over the car, filled up.the normal bits and said it looks good.

Beginning of december I get the engine warning light again and usual behaviour. If I rev over 2 I can get it to pull off whilst the Engline light is on otherwise it will cut out.another garage ran diagnostics and said it seems like it's the injections


Today- its been at a diesel specialist who says it is not the injectors, the fault code is saying the same thing low fuel pressure but they have looked at everything and my car is fine, but the injectors are showing as an open circuit? Which wouldnt happen in a Bosch injectors or something (apologies if I'm not saying this right trying to remmebr what he said) he said I will have to take it to a ford specialist as it needs to be ran on a ford computer and it's likely to be a computer fault and that it could he expensive.

So I have no idea what that really means except expect to pay lots of money anyone else had similar? Should I take it to ford itself or find someone who specialises in ford but isnt ford?

Also I have RAC gold cover until March which covers a list of mechanical faults and lists the ECU parts but is that what 'computer'means? the ECU? Or does it sound like a technical fault so.therefore will not be covered? Really wish I had just stuck with my trusty little peugeot its given me nothing but trouble since purchase.

Thanks in advance if you can offer any advice.

 

[econoboxrocks]

Sorry to hear this. You don't want to take it mechanics who are just going to throw parts at it. The "computer" is the ECU, or Electronic Control Unit. All modern cars have them, and they control and monitor all the systems in the car. This forum is mostly Yanks, and we never got any diesel Fiestas, so no expertise here. I suggest you find some forums in England that talk about diesel cars, specifically. They might know more.

A lot of people don't know this, but diesel fuel is abrasive. It will eventually wear out anything it's pumped through, such as fuel pumps and injectors. Maybe your fuel pump just isn't pumping the right pressure like it used to, but I doubt your injectors are bad at 75,000, but they might be.

You may have better luck in the UK forum. There will be people there who are familiar with your model. https://www.fordownersclub.com/