[Jaymann999]

We've just heard a quiet click noise (not sure where from) and then about 5 mins later the alarm on our Focus RS started going off. The car is in an integrated garage so the click might have been from the car or (worse) from the back door to the garage maybe. We don't know if the car's been tampered with or if it's behaving badly.

The wing mirrors are in so the car thinks it's locked but it's not. After 5-10 mins pressing buttons on both key fobs the alarm has stopped. We hooked the trickle charger up and the battery is apparently not full. We've unhooked the battery to try to reset everything but it's still not responding to either key fob. We use one fob more than the other so it seems unlikely that they've both had their batteries die at the same time.

The fobs won't lock the car and it won't start but the radio comes on, the lights aren't working and no horn.

It's really weird! Has anyone had anything like this happen? Obviously going to call our dealership in the morning. Someone fiddling with the car or battery issues?

 

[Vorgem]

You get all sorts of strange behaviours if the battery voltage is low. Best to make sure you charge the battery up fully and then reconnect it. Remember that every aspect of the car is controlled by different processors on different modules that all communicate with each other over CAN busses. Also remember when charging that the RS does not have a standard lead acid type battery and therefore needs to be charged using a higher charge voltage for an EFB or AGM battery. As the RS only has a simple type start / stop system it uses the EFB type battery.
If you do have a key problem put your key in the bottom of the central bin between the seats as this is where the aerial is to pick up the second part of the key which needs to be detected to disable the immobiliser to start the car.

 

[Jaymann999]

You get all sorts of strange behaviours if the battery voltage is low. Best to make sure you charge the battery up fully and then reconnect it. Remember that every aspect of the car is controlled by different processors on different modules that all communicate with each other over CAN busses. Also remember when charging that the RS does not have a standard lead acid type battery and therefore needs to be charged using a higher charge voltage for an EFB or AGM battery. As the RS only has a simple type start / stop system it uses the EFB type battery.
If you do have a key problem put your key in the bottom of the central bin between the seats as this is where the aerial is to pick up the second part of the key which needs to be detected to disable the immobiliser to start the car.

Thanks when I press the fob i hear clicking in the door but the car is totally dead. Placing the key in the centre console doesn't work. Charging it overnight to see what happens, suspect it is getting recovered to ford tomorrow.

 

[the radman]

definately sounds like a knackered battery

 

[JohnD]

After being deep discharged a couple of times by the Cobb (Mountune) handset not switching off, the car displayed similar characteristics. It seemed to take on a mind of it's own as if haunted! I thought it must have seen the film 'Christine' 24 hrs on the Ctek revived it but eventually it died prematurely due, no doubt, to the discharges.

JohnD