Chapter 1 Routine maintenance and servicing

REF•14 Fault findingEngine Engine backfires Engine difficult to start when cold Engine difficult to start when hot Engine fails to rotate when attempting to start Engine hesitates on acceleration Engine idles erratically Engine lacks power Engine misfires at idle speed Engine misfires throughout the driving speed range Engine noises Engine rotates, but will not start Engine runs-on after switching off Engine stalls Engine starts, but stops immediately Oil pressure warning light illuminated with engine running Starter motor noisy or excessively-rough in engagementCooling system Corrosion External coolant leakage Internal coolant leakage Overcooling OverheatingFuel and exhaust systems Excessive fuel consumption Excessive noise or fumes from exhaust system Fuel leakage and/or fuel odourClutch Clutch fails to disengage (unable to select gears) Clutch slips (engine speed increases, with no increase in vehiclespeed) Judder as clutch is engaged Noise when depressing or releasing clutch pedal Pedal travels to floor - no pressure or very little resistanceManual transmission Jumps out of gear Lubricant leaks Noisy in neutral with engine running Noisy in one particular gear VibrationAutomatic transmission Engine will not start in any gear, or starts in gears other than Parkor Neutral Fluid leakage General gear selection problems Transmission fluid brown, or has burned smell Transmission slips, shifts roughly, is noisy, or has no drive inforward or reverse gears Transmission will not downshift (kickdown) with accelerator fullydepressedDriveshaftsClicking or knocking noise on turns (at slow speed on full-lock)Vibration when accelerating or deceleratingBraking systemBrake pedal feels spongy when depressedBrakes bindingExcessive brake pedal effort required to stop vehicleExcessive brake pedal travelJudder felt through brake pedal or steering wheel when brakingNoise (grinding or high-pitched squeal) when brakes appliedRear wheels locking under normal brakingVehicle pulls to one side under brakingSuspension and steering systemsExcessive pitching and/or rolling around corners, or duringbrakingExcessive play in steeringExcessively-stiff steeringLack of power assistanceTyre wear excessiveVehicle pulls to one sideWandering or general instabilityWheel wobble and vibrationElectrical system Battery will not hold a charge for more than a few days Electric windows inoperative, or unsatisfactory in operation Horn inoperative, or unsatisfactory in operation Ignition warning light fails to come on Ignition warning light remains illuminated with engine running Instrument readings inaccurate or erratic Lights inoperative Windscreen/tailgate washers inoperative, or unsatisfactory inoperation Windscreen/tailgate wipers inoperative, or unsatisfactory inoperationIntroductionThe vehicle owner who does his or her ownmaintenance according to the recommendedservice schedules should not have to use thissection of the manual very often. Moderncomponent reliability is such that, providedthose items subject to wear or deteriorationare inspected or renewed at the specifiedintervals, sudden failure is comparatively rare.Faults do not usually just happen as a result ofsudden failure, but develop over a period oftime. Major mechanical failures in particularare usually preceded by characteristicsymptoms over hundreds or even thousandsof miles. Those components which dooccasionally fail without warning are oftensmall and easily carried in the vehicle.With any fault-finding, the first step is todecide where to begin investigations.Sometimes this is obvious, but on otheroccasions, a little detective work will benecessary. The owner who makes half adozen haphazard adjustments orreplacements may be successful in curing afault (or its symptoms), but will be none thewiser if the fault recurs, and ultimately mayhave spent more time and money than wasnecessary. A calm and logical approach willbe found to be more satisfactory in the longrun. Always take into account any warningsigns or abnormalities that may have beennoticed in the period preceding the fault -power loss, high or low gauge readings,unusual smells, etc - and remember that1595 Ford Fiesta Remake