What is the reason for the constant illumination of the Ford Focus dashboard lights?
3 Answers
Ford Focus dashboard lights remain illuminated due to unresolved faults. Below is a detailed introduction to the functions of the car dashboard: 1. Conventional Gauges: The car dashboard is a device that reflects the working conditions of various vehicle systems. Common indicators include the fuel indicator, washer fluid indicator, electronic throttle indicator, front and rear fog light indicators, and warning lights. Conventional gauges in most cars include the speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, coolant temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and charging gauge. 2. Indicator or Warning Lights: The car dashboard features various indicator or warning lights, such as the coolant level warning light, fuel level indicator, washer fluid level indicator, charging indicator, high/low beam indicator, transmission gear indicator, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) indicator, traction control indicator, and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light.
My old Focus also had the issue of the dashboard lights staying on last year, and I had to deal with it several times. The most likely cause is that the car door isn't closed properly, especially if the rear door is closed too lightly and the latch doesn't engage fully. Another possibility is that the microswitch in the driver's door lock mechanism has worn out—this component controls the dashboard lights. A small but often overlooked detail is the footwell light switch getting stuck by the floor mat, keeping it in the 'on' position. Sometimes, leaving the interior reading light on by accident can also cause this. However, I must warn you that keeping the lights on drains the battery significantly. Last time, after leaving it for three days, my battery was completely dead, and I had to call roadside assistance. I recommend checking these areas one by one first. If that doesn't work, it's best to visit a professional shop to read the fault codes.
The instrument lights on my generation of Focus staying on is usually caused by minor faults in sensors or control modules. For example, after locking the car, it fails to detect the door closed signal, especially the sensor on the trunk latch which is prone to water ingress and malfunction. Once when I lent my car to a friend, I found out upon its return that he had slammed the door too hard, causing the door position sensor to shift. Another less common reason is when the car key isn't fully removed, half stuck in the ignition switch, making the car's computer think the engine hasn't been turned off. Cars with modified circuits should be extra cautious about wiring grounding and short circuits. It's recommended to wait two minutes after locking the car to see if the lights go off automatically. If they remain on, the wiring should be checked.
