Ask The Guide

Get out of the car, it’s a money pit. Have an auto electrician check the electrics for you. I assume the transmission is automatic, if so have it serviced, but it could need a rebuild.

It’s most likely the crank angle sensor, which is on the crankshaft. Have a mechanic check it.

If it’s starting ok at other times then it won’t the fuel pump. It’s more likely to be a sensor that’s at fault, the computer isn’t getting the message that it’s cold and it’s not giving any cold enrichment, which the engine needs to start and run while the engine warms up. Have your mechanic check the temperature sensor.

Yes, it’s a state imposed duty on insurance.

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You should have sorted it out a long time ago rather than wait until the warranty is about to expire.

Have an automatic transmission specialist give you an opinion on the cause of the rumbling noise, so you can take that with you when the dealer. It’s also worth contacting Ford’s customer relations people at head office and ask them to get involved and check the car.

The trade-in price guide is $15,200 to $17,400, but with the low odometer yours should be at the top end of the range.

It sounds like it is going into limp mode, which means the computer is seeing something wrong, perhaps with a sensor. Being intermittent it’s hard for the dealer to fix. Persist with it and keep taking it back.

Next time it stops turn the ignition off and then attempt to restart it. It’s likely that it will start and you should be able to drive on.

Because it is so new you need to take it back to the Holden dealer, and ramp up the pressure on them to fix it.

If need be contact Holden customer service directly and tell them the dealer can’t seem to fix it to your satisfaction, and ask that their regional service manager assess the car.

I’m not surprised that Honda won’t or can’t help. Before you sell the car contact IdealSeat Company in Melbourne (03 9555 7788) who handle Recaro seats.

There is a class action underway against Ford over the problems with the Focus automatic transmission. It sounds like you have as good a claim as anyone else.