Hi

I originally posted this in the Ford Focus group, without any response. I
wonder whether anyone here can help me?


I have a Nov 2005 (55 reg) Focus Zetec (Mk 2 UK model) and there seem to be
growing cracks in the glass/plastic transparent screen in front of the
speedo, dials etc.

It has developed slowly, and we were slow to take it back for attention
under warranty. Even though we have an 'extended warranty' the Ford dealer
tells us that this is just cosmetic and they won't deal with it after the
first year. A replacement screen is not available from Ford and they would
charge
about £300 for a replacement instrument unit that would mess up the mileage.

I can get a replacement unit from a breakers yard, but the dealer tells me
that it would have to be fitted to replace the whole instrument unit, as the
cover is welded in place. I'm wondering whether it is possible to do a
decent job of separating the cover and swapping with my installed unit.

Has anyone else experienced this problem, and have knowledge of whether a
swap of the screen is a viable fix.

Thanks

Howard

On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:23:51 -0000, HowardB wrote:

Hi

I originally posted this in the Ford Focus group, without any response. I
wonder whether anyone here can help me?


I have a Nov 2005 (55 reg) Focus Zetec (Mk 2 UK model) and there seem
to be
growing cracks in the glass/plastic transparent screen in front of the
speedo, dials etc.

It has developed slowly, and we were slow to take it back for attention
under warranty. Even though we have an 'extended warranty' the Ford
dealer
tells us that this is just cosmetic and they won't deal with it after the
first year. A replacement screen is not available from Ford and they
would
charge
about £300 for a replacement instrument unit that would mess up the
mileage.


You can correct the mileage on a new panel if you're a vaguely competent
Ford dealership

I can get a replacement unit from a breakers yard, but the dealer tells
me
that it would have to be fitted to replace the whole instrument unit, as
the
cover is welded in place. I'm wondering whether it is possible to do a
decent job of separating the cover and swapping with my installed unit.



If you're bored & enjjoy playing with a fine hacksaw blade & superglue
then it'll be doable. It depends on how much you reckon your time is worth.

Has anyone else experienced this problem, and have knowledge of whether a
swap of the screen is a viable fix.

Thanks

Howard

HowardB wrote:
Hi

I originally posted this in the Ford Focus group, without any
response. I wonder whether anyone here can help me?


I have a Nov 2005 (55 reg) Focus Zetec (Mk 2 UK model) and there
seem to be growing cracks in the glass/plastic transparent screen in
front of the speedo, dials etc.

It has developed slowly, and we were slow to take it back for
attention under warranty. Even though we have an 'extended warranty'
the Ford dealer tells us that this is just cosmetic and they won't
deal with it after the first year. A replacement screen is not
available from Ford and they would charge
about £300 for a replacement instrument unit that would mess up the
mileage.
I can get a replacement unit from a breakers yard, but the dealer
tells me that it would have to be fitted to replace the whole
instrument unit, as the cover is welded in place. I'm wondering
whether it is possible to do a decent job of separating the cover and
swapping with my installed unit.
Has anyone else experienced this problem, and have knowledge of
whether a swap of the screen is a viable fix.

Thanks

Howard

Have you actually had a price for the cluster?
I understood that there were so many focus instrument faults that to reduce
embarassment fords were doing the whole cluster at a loss at about 35 quid.
mileage correction is easily done by many little dodgy firms or a ford
dealer. or just tell the truth when you sell it.

On Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:23:37 GMT, "Mrcheerful"
wrote:

HowardB wrote:
Hi

I originally posted this in the Ford Focus group, without any
response. I wonder whether anyone here can help me?


I have a Nov 2005 (55 reg) Focus Zetec (Mk 2 UK model) and there
seem to be growing cracks in the glass/plastic transparent screen in
front of the speedo, dials etc.

It has developed slowly, and we were slow to take it back for
attention under warranty. Even though we have an 'extended warranty'
the Ford dealer tells us that this is just cosmetic and they won't
deal with it after the first year. A replacement screen is not
available from Ford and they would charge
about £300 for a replacement instrument unit that would mess up the
mileage.
I can get a replacement unit from a breakers yard, but the dealer
tells me that it would have to be fitted to replace the whole
instrument unit, as the cover is welded in place. I'm wondering
whether it is possible to do a decent job of separating the cover and
swapping with my installed unit.
Has anyone else experienced this problem, and have knowledge of
whether a swap of the screen is a viable fix.

Thanks

Howard

Have you actually had a price for the cluster?
I understood that there were so many focus instrument faults that to reduce
embarassment fords were doing the whole cluster at a loss at about 35 quid.
mileage correction is easily done by many little dodgy firms or a ford
dealer. or just tell the truth when you sell it.


And take a picture ..anyway the MOT Certs will show the mileage
especially if you get it tested just before selling it .

"Mrcheerful" wrote in message
om...
HowardB wrote:
Hi

I originally posted this in the Ford Focus group, without any
response. I wonder whether anyone here can help me?


I have a Nov 2005 (55 reg) Focus Zetec (Mk 2 UK model) and there
seem to be growing cracks in the glass/plastic transparent screen in
front of the speedo, dials etc.

It has developed slowly, and we were slow to take it back for
attention under warranty. Even though we have an 'extended warranty'
the Ford dealer tells us that this is just cosmetic and they won't
deal with it after the first year. A replacement screen is not
available from Ford and they would charge
about £300 for a replacement instrument unit that would mess up the
mileage.
I can get a replacement unit from a breakers yard, but the dealer
tells me that it would have to be fitted to replace the whole
instrument unit, as the cover is welded in place. I'm wondering
whether it is possible to do a decent job of separating the cover and
swapping with my installed unit.
Has anyone else experienced this problem, and have knowledge of
whether a swap of the screen is a viable fix.

Thanks

Howard

Have you actually had a price for the cluster?
I understood that there were so many focus instrument faults that to
reduce embarassment fords were doing the whole cluster at a loss at about
35 quid. mileage correction is easily done by many little dodgy firms or a
ford dealer. or just tell the truth when you sell it.

The Dealer quoted over £300. The breaker quoted £45

Any suggestions on what buttons to press to get a deal from Ford?

Cheers

Howard

HowardB wrote:
"Mrcheerful" wrote in message
om...
HowardB wrote:
Hi

I originally posted this in the Ford Focus group, without any
response. I wonder whether anyone here can help me?


I have a Nov 2005 (55 reg) Focus Zetec (Mk 2 UK model) and there
seem to be growing cracks in the glass/plastic transparent screen in
front of the speedo, dials etc.

It has developed slowly, and we were slow to take it back for
attention under warranty. Even though we have an 'extended warranty'
the Ford dealer tells us that this is just cosmetic and they won't
deal with it after the first year. A replacement screen is not
available from Ford and they would charge
about £300 for a replacement instrument unit that would mess up the
mileage.
I can get a replacement unit from a breakers yard, but the dealer
tells me that it would have to be fitted to replace the whole
instrument unit, as the cover is welded in place. I'm wondering
whether it is possible to do a decent job of separating the cover
and swapping with my installed unit.
Has anyone else experienced this problem, and have knowledge of
whether a swap of the screen is a viable fix.

Thanks

Howard

Have you actually had a price for the cluster?
I understood that there were so many focus instrument faults that to
reduce embarassment fords were doing the whole cluster at a loss at
about 35 quid. mileage correction is easily done by many little
dodgy firms or a ford dealer. or just tell the truth when you sell
it.
The Dealer quoted over £300. The breaker quoted £45

Any suggestions on what buttons to press to get a deal from Ford?

Cheers

Howard

it looks like it is just certain years or something, see the comments etc.
at this link as a start:
http://drivingpassion.merseyblogs.co...ford-focu.html