Car problems

lynseydee

Hi

I know this is probably a bit difficult to say but I was just wondering if anyone had any indications as to what may be wrong with my car.

I have a 1998 Ford Focus which sometimes whilst driving the speedometer will cut out so I don't know what speed I'm doing. Also on occasions the engine will cut out and the steering wheel will lock. I have found if I'm driving I just need to turn the ignition again before it completely locks and it starts again. Luckily I'm not doing any real speed when this happens. I did mention it to the garage I used to get my MOT done with and they looked at it but said they couldn't find any reason why it would be doing this.

I am looking to sell this car and need to know if it is going to be worth my while trying to get these problems fixed or just sell it as spares and repairs.

Any ideas of what the problems could be will be a great help.

Thanks.

Tobster86

A steering wheel locking unexpectedly whilst driving is extremely dangerous at any speed. For the sake of yourself and other road users, please minimise your use of the car until the problem is rectified!

The steering wheel lock itself is generally a mechanical mechanism, usually part of the ignition barrel. It's possible that something is mechanically loose resulting in both loss of electrical connection (resulting in engine stopping and instrument cluster going dead) and re-engagement of the steering wheel lock.

It shouldn't be too difficult for a garage to remove & inspect, and if necessary replace.

Rolandtheroadie

Suspect the steering wheel lock is most likely loss of power steering when the ignition cuts out.

funkycoldribena

It's the VSS (vehicle speed sensor).

EcoR1

funkycoldribena wrote: »

It's the VSS (vehicle speed sensor).

What he said. About £60 for the part but can be a nightmare to remove, should be a 30 minute job but can end up with the gearbox coming off.

lynseydee

Thanks for everyone's replies.

I decided to take it to the garage this afternoon as need to sell asap and a number of issues have come up from the diagnostics which they can't give a definite answer to the problem unless I get another diagnostics test done at the Ford garage so I have decided to just sell as is and notify any potential buyer of the problems that came up on the diagnostics.