Urgent help please - is it safe to drive my 94 focus?

samandmillie

Hi I am after some advise please. This evening as I slowed down through my gears to go through some traffic lights (traffic was slowing) my 1994 t reg ford focus cut out and 3 lights flashed up on the dashboard. After googling it seems that they were the battery light, engine oil pressure light and check engine light. The steering also got very heavy, almost like it locked up. I restarted the engine and the car started first time so I was able to carry on my way. This happened a further 2 times on my way home, each time when I slowed down through my gears.

By coincidence the car is booked for an mot tomorrow. The garage is around 14 miles from my home. I just wondered, am I ok to drive it to the garage or am I damaging the car by doing this?

Any replies greatly appreciated.

Thanks

spacey2012

What did you have on electrically ?
Everything, heater, rear, window, radio

samandmillie

The first time heater and radio. The second time just heater (dial on 1).

Lum

If the engine stops then it is normal for those lights to come on and for the power steering to stop working.

You need to get this looked at, and in the meantime, don't slow down using the gears, try slowing using the clutch and brake to prevent it from stalling, but unless the oil light is coming on at other times you should be ok to drive it to the garage, provided you're ok with dealing with the effects of it stalling randomly.

samandmillie

Thanks for your help. Before it stalled I did see a light flicker on the dash and it could have been the oil pressure but it went on and off so quickly I couldn't see it (just know where it flickered on the dash). When the engine cut out no other lights came on just the 3 I mentioned. The oil was filled up about a month ago. Thanks

Splott

So you've not checked the oil in a month? Unbelievable. Another well maintained deathtrap on the road...

samandmillie

Really? How often should the oil be checked?

Lum

It's typically a weekly check.

samandmillie

I didn't know that, I will check it weekly from now on, thanks

forgotmyname

Do you ever check anything? Have you got antifreeze in it? Is the coolant level correct? Washer fluid?

Do you know what the tyre pressures are?

All these should be checked at least weekly.

Lum

Personally I don't care if someone fails to check their oil and antifreeze. So long as they check their tyres, brakes and screenwash I'm happy enough.

Not my problem if your engine explodes, is my problem if you don't see me brake in front of you, slam on and skid into the back of me on bald tyres.