Ford Focus Engine Service Now & Loss Of Power

The Ford Focus has been touted as one of the best hatchback models from the Ford manufacturer. It has been incrementally improving the engine with each model and when you see the sports models like the ST and RS, you can see the level of performance force has on offer. However, the “Ford Focus engine service now loss of power” is something a few drivers have been plagued by.

When your “engine service now” light comes on and your vehicle immediately drops power, it will be a major reason for concern. What tends to happen is the engine will spew out an error code and depending on the severity of the error in the engine, it will go into limp mode, which explains the loss of power. There are a couple of reasons for this including the clutch slipping and low fuel pressure.

While the best thing you do is to either visit your mechanic or invest in a code scanner to help you identify the codes, the vehicle should not be doing this often. Having done some solid research, we have come up with a few things that could be causing the sudden loss of power. Unfortunately, the problem rarely occurs at home and often on the road.

Why Does My Ford Focus Read “Engine Service Now & Have A Loss Of Power”?

If you encounter this frustration with your Ford Focus, and you don’t have a code scanner, you will need to take it to a professional mechanic to figure out what is wrong. Fortunately, we have identified the most common reasons for this rare Ford Focus phenomenon to give you an idea of what could be causing the problem:

1.      Clutch Slipping

Problem: While your clutch slipping is not a common reason for your car to activate the limp mode, it could happen as the clutch damage is aggravated. If your clutch is beginning to deteriorate, you will notice the slipping as you accelerate. The revs might also climb much higher without the speed of the vehicle changing on the open road. A jerking sensation in the car might also be felt.

Solution: Depending on the severity of the clutch slipping, it could be worn or might only be on the way to wearing out. You will need to discuss this with your dealer or mechanic and hopefully, find the best way forward. One tip we could give you is to change your driving style. Many manual drivers tend to “ride the clutch”.

2.      Crankshaft Position Sensor Failed

Problem: While many people have reported that turning the vehicle off and turning it back on has solved the problem, the loss of power is something you should be concerned about. The could be a variety of reasons for a Ford loss of power, but a crankshaft position sensor or cracked soldering on the cluster panel could also be the reason.

Solution: If you manage to restart your vehicle without issue, it should not be any reason for concern. However, if the loss of power continues, it could be a variety of reasons. You should consider visiting your dealership to have them look over any possible issues.

3.      Obstructed Air Filter

Problem: While the obstructed air filter does not activate specific error codes or force the “service engine now” to display, it is one of the reasons your Ford Focus might lose power when you are driving. The air filter will eventually be obstructed the more you drive without having it cleaned. Once the air pressure is too low, it will cease to ignite the fuel.

Solution: The great thing about an air filter is that it is one of the easiest components to fix. You can take apart the air filter at home and give it a good cleaning. If you notice any damage to the component, you can source a new air filter as a replacement. Fortunately, this is not one of these hyper-expensive components to fix.

4.      Low Battery Voltage

Problem: Once the battery starts giving you issues, you will notice a host of different things go wrong. However, many of these errors are only on the display and could only give you a good scare. The battery is responsible for running the electronics of your vehicle. This also means that it controls the onboard computer and software.

Solution: We have noticed that many people who get errors like this only have to give the battery a good charge. Fortunately, you can test the charge of the battery yourself at home. If the voltage is too low, it will be one of the reasons for this issue.

5.      Software Bug

Problem: Once you have gone through basic diagnostics, you might take your vehicle to the local dealership. We have seen a few cases where the code scanners do not turn up any real code and the loss of power is related to the software bug. The issue is most common in the Ford Focus models from 2010-2014.

Solution: If this is a software bug, you have two options. The first option would be to take the vehicle to the dealership and have them reset or update the software on your Ford Focus. However, by pressing the brake and gas pedal simultaneously, you can reset the dashboard. Keep in mind that you should hold them both for at least one minute to reset.

FAQ

What Does It Mean When The Service Now Light Comes On?

If it is not related to the renowned Ford Focus software bug, it means something serious is wrong with your vehicle. If the light is blinking, it could indicate engine misfired. However, a shining light means that you should pay immediate attention to the problem of your vehicle. This might mean going to the dealership.

What Is The Main Reason Ford Loses Power?

Ford is not known for having a significant loss of power randomly. The main cause for a loss of power in many Ford vehicles is the filters. Either the air filter or fuel pump filter might be clogged. Once you remove these components and give them a thorough cleaning, your Ford Focus should be running in optimal condition.