Problem with Ford KA

matt1987

Afternoon all,

My partner has a Ford KA, and today it doesnt want to start. Its not the battery becuase the stereo and indicators and lights are fine.

When i try and start it, it make a wierd noise, and the needle on the speedo goes awol. Also when i turn the electrics on my digital mileage isnt there, just the trip counter which reades 0.00.

Also the gear stick feels a bit stiff and there is a hissing sound like air coming from somewhere underneath the bonnet.

Any ideas what this could be?

Any help appreciated!

hewhoisnotintheknow

my initial thoughts would be an immobiliser issue in which i would suggest trying another key

but you mentioned the air noise! i would check the oil and call someone who knows more about cars, it might be something simple or you might cause lots of damage to the engine, get a mate with more knowledge round

matt1987

Could it be that a hose has come off somewhere? I know there are loads of little pipes under that bonnet!

moonrakerz

matt1987 wrote: »

My partner has a Ford KA, and today it doesnt want to start. Its not the battery becuase the stereo and indicators and lights are fine.

I would still check the battery and its connections. A knackered battery will power the radio etc but won't cope with the massive load from trying to start the engine.

hewhoisnotintheknow

it could be but i would expect most hoses to contain some fluid or other! Have a good look round looking for stuff thats not connected.

matt1987

Im at work at the moment, but i will have a good look later. We tried to get the radio out the other day but it seemed like it was stuck. Would that of affected it?

Night-owl_6

matt1987 wrote: »

Im at work at the moment, but i will have a good look later. We tried to get the radio out the other day but it seemed like it was stuck. Would that of affected it?

It sounds like a fault with the on broad computer.
You need to get it into a garage ASAP.
I had a KA and water started coming out the back while the engine was running.
The mileage is linked to the onbroad computer and it may just be a fuse gone and thats preventing it from starting, however if the computer is gone then a new one would be any where around £290 to £600 depending on the type of KA/Model and year

Night-owl_6

matt1987 wrote: »

Im at work at the moment, but i will have a good look later. We tried to get the radio out the other day but it seemed like it was stuck. Would that of affected it?

You may have shorted a wire and blown a fuse.
I would disconnect the battery while your not looking at it incase and to prevent fire.
By the way, fitted ford radios are not meant to be taken out:eek:

matt1987

Right ok, i will have a check later.... It has the holes like any other car has though to take the stereo out!!

The stereo still works btw.

debred86

You can take the radios out, i have done it on my Ka, and on my old one too. Otherwise why would they make the covers that fit over the radios, and why would halfords or other places do it for you if you werent supposed to!!

I dont think this would have affected the car starting though, its pretty easy to do, i had a similar problem, check the wires going to the starter motor. The hissing noise could be the motor trying to start, but having no luck because its not connected to the rest of the car properly.

Like others have said get someone to have a look, use your breakdown cover if you have it, most of them cover home starts.

matt1987

Right, got home from work and tried to start the car, but it felt like no neutral was there.... just stiff, and also there was no first, third or fifth gear! But yoou could put it into 2nd, 4th and reverse. So i put it in reverse and using the clutch, and it started! The mileage counter isback, and there is no " air " noise any more. Also the gears are all working and have just took it for a spin.

But now when i go to restart it, it doesnt always start!!! Maybe its the starter motor??

Oh and btw, i managed to get the stereo out with some keys i got from halfords!