Engine light on U1900

Jamiesmum · 11 October 2016 at 10:19AM

2005 Focus, engine light came on, diagnostic reader is saying U1900. Tried it with 2 different ones both say the same and the book doesn't say what it could be, I tried google but many threads are for multiple codes at once. I've only got this, if I clear it then restart the car comes on with no issues.

When first starting the car it says either 'Power steering failure' 'Speed limited' 'Acceleration limited' or 'Engine system failure' ABS light comes on in orange, occasionally red, engine light on. None consistent, all showing at different times, seems to be random. Sometimes nothing at all.

Sometimes the car won't even start, key just turning + electrics start and that is it. Can do this for anything up to 5 minutes. Sometimes it starts with no issues and sometimes the above lights flash on.

Can't work until it's fixed, but dreading taking it to a garage - is it ok to drive if I get it on without the lights? Shall I just scrap it now?

Not had any issues with the car yet needing big repairs (brakes done, tyres done, cosmetic damage etc) so it's highly possibly it's about to set off a huge chain reaction of repairs, I guess? Old car, just about to hit 90000 miles on it.

Any ideas/advice/comments, thanks

wongataa · 11 October 2016 at 10:41AM

Well a quick Google seems to say that U1900 is a CAN communication fault. A CAN fault could cause other errors as bits of the car can't talk to each other properly which could explain the other random issues you see.

Personally I wouldn't want to drive the car until it was fixed in case there were issues that suddenly appeared whilst driving. Unless you are willing to try and fix an electrical problem your options are take it to a garage and see what they suggest or get rid of the car.

Jamiesmum · 11 October 2016 at 10:50AM

wongataa wrote: »

Well a quick Google seems to say that U1900 is a CAN communication fault. A CAN fault could cause other errors as bits of the car can't talk to each other properly which could explain the other random issues you see.

Personally I wouldn't want to drive the car until it was fixed in case there were issues that suddenly appeared whilst driving. Unless you are willing to try and fix an electrical problem your options are take it to a garage and see what they suggest or get rid of the car.

Thanks. Is the CAN an abbreviation for something? I thought it may be an electrical fault. Is everything related to the fuse box or would it run much further than that? If I had a look at the fuses would it tell me anything that may be helpful?

Also is this a problem that could literally appear over night or would it have been over sometime, maybe I've missed the signs.

I'll take a quick google from what you said too, thank you

shaun_from_Africa · 11 October 2016 at 11:00AM

Jamiesmum wrote: »

Thanks. Is the CAN an abbreviation for something?

It's the Controller Area Network which is basically a network cable that connects the various processors in a system.
The first thing I would do is to remove and clean the connectors that go onto the engine management module and any other electronic modules that the car may have.

gabitzul · 11 October 2016 at 11:32AM

Have the battery tested, as if it is on its way out it could throw out this sort of random errors.

Or if in doubt just get a new one, if the original is still in place (it will say Motorcraft on it), it's due a replacement anyway.

Gloomendoom · 11 October 2016 at 11:59AM

Something as simple as a bad earth could be the culprit.

EdGasket · 11 October 2016 at 3:13PM

Check earths as suggested then try a specialist auto-electrician; not just a general garage that might start replacing parts willy nilly. Also ask about it on a Ford Focus forum; you are probably not the only person to have this happen.

e.g.

http://www.bba-reman.com/forums/Topic110446.aspx

was a loose connector under the kick panel.

forgotmyname · 11 October 2016 at 4:52PM

U1900 CAN Communication Bus Fault - Receive Error

Get a better reader there maybe more than one fault but the reader is only showing the one.

Engine wont start, duff battery? Immobiliser issue is the LED for the immobiliser working properly? Flashing rapidly when it wont start?

Try the spare key.

90,000 miles is nothing for a car thats looked after properly. Mines got half as much again and my last one has gone past 200,000 miles and flew through the MOT with no advisories.

Jamiesmum · 11 October 2016 at 7:09PM

Thanks for all the replies! We've checked with 2 fault readers but I think actually they may have been the same model.

The car is driving without any faults + starting first time every time since I tried at 11. Is it possible to have issues only when the car is cold? Topped up the brake fluid today, it was quite low. The abs light has me the most paranoid.

I will also get the battery checked first thing on Thursday.

Don't have a spare key, but could go get another cut no issues, wouldn't be remote though.

The immobiliser is flashing red when needed, all lights working when something is wrong.

As far as the electrics go, I can have a general check with instructions but really, I'm not gonna have much of a clue so I will ask around and see if I know anyone who is any good. If not, what type of google search will get me best results? Are any electricians going to be any good, or are car electrics a different game?

Appreciate the replies, thank you

forgotmyname · 11 October 2016 at 8:28PM

immobiliser flashing when needed? but what does it do when you attempt to start the car and it wont start?

A new key may cost you approx £160, unless you get a clone of yours. But the clone may give the same issue as the key you have now.
Dont buy a modern car without the full set of keys.

EdGasket · 11 October 2016 at 9:18PM

You need a specialist car/auto electrician.

If the fault is intermittent it sounds like a bad connection, corroded contact/earth, or a plug coming loose. More difficult to find would be a dry solder joint on a board somewhere. Unfortunately unless the car is exhibiting the fault, even an auto-electrician is going to be stumped.

What I suggest is you google the fault code and 'Focus' and note what other people found the faults to be. Then if you can't check these yourself, you can at least suggest to an auto-electrician that they check those things for him to either fix or eliminate them.

Engine light on U1900

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