FORD S-MAX: Questions and answers

Ford S-MAX

After fitting a new throttle body to my Ford S-MAX, when I start the car it`s rev is different and then a few minutes later it stalls or switches itself off. Any ideas?

Ford S-MAX 2006

I have a 2006 2.0d Ford S-MAX Titanium and the handbrake lever clips have come off. This is not a problem as I can get these for £25. However, the cable / wire has now come away, so to release the handbrake you have to pull the cable up, which is literally hanging on by a thread and if it snaps I will not be able to release the handbrake. How much should this cost and will I be able to get it cheaper elsewhere other than at Ford? (Titanium 2.0d )

Ford S-MAX 2011

My remote won’t unlock my Ford S-MAX and it is car fob only on this model. How do I get into car? I suspect a dead battery... (Titanium)

Ford S-MAX 2007

Hi. I was just wondering... Does anyone know how much new clutch pressure plates cost for an S-MAX 2007 tdci? a noise has come when clutching and we believe it’s the plates.

Ford S-MAX 2006

When driving my Ford S-MAX it is missing - what could the problem be?

Answers

Sounds like coil pack, common problem on all cars - Martin Jones from Essex

Ford S-MAX 2007

Concerned about the brakes on my S-Max. It’s been into a Ford garage who’ve found no fault, but it sometimes has very a very firm brake pedal, with no breaking at all. I’ve had to use the handbrake to stop this. It mainly happens in the morning, also lately been going through lots of diesel, trip computer said I could do 280 miles before filling up, actually managed about 100, any ideas? Thanks.

Answers

Re: your brake problem, it could be the vacuum pump which supplies the brake servo with pressure - Martin Jones from Essex

My S-Max was doing exactly the same. I checked and there have been several recalls for S-max brakes. You can find the details on the AA’s recall site (http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/recalls/recalls.jsp?modelID=AC&modelName=S-MAX&makeName=Ford&makeId=B4). The recalls suggest a non-return valve on the vacuum pump needs to be replaced. Arnold Clark made me pay for the repair despite slightly older and slightly newer cars being recalled - 2007 cars had an advisory note issued but no recall. However, the repair has solved the problem - Marcie Ballance from Aberdeenshire

Ford S-MAX 2010

I opened my car using my car key, went in and insert my key. Turn it on, all the control panel LED’s are on, when I tried to start it, the control panel went dead, as in fully dead. Can’t turn engine on, is this the immobilizer working? After 8 hours approximately, I went to check the car, had the remote car keys working again when use to remote lock the car. I went in and tried to turn it on, all the control panel lights are on again. I noticed that my radio panel had ’key code 00’ on it. I tried to start it but, again,the control panel went dead. Please help, would appreciate it if you can help me. Thanks. (Diesel)

Answers

Get in touch with Fords, it’s under warranty - Martin Jones from Essex

Ford S-MAX 2008

I have just taken my Ford S-MAX to a garage for an estimate on some repairs. The guy got into the car to take a photo - I think of the mileage. When I got back in the car the radio and CD player will not work. All other functions seem to be fine. I don’t know if he knocked something or if it was a coincidence...? Any ideas?

Answers

Does the radio display show CODE or SAFE? He might have disconnected your battery which would have caused the radio to lose its code, a protection scheme against radio theft. If that is the case, you will need to enter the code which should be in your owner’s manual, Ford can give you the code using the serial numbers off the radio but usually charge for this - Sam from Kent

Ford S-MAX 2009

My interior lights won’t turn off can anyone help?

Ford S-MAX 2006

Hi, the centre display which displays the mileage, temperature, mpg etc. has gone off? It started to flash intermittently and then today has gone off completely!! The orange colour is still there but there is no information on it?? (Zetec 2.0 d). Any ideas anyone?

Answers

I had a similar issue a couple years back when it was very cold, I lost the display and had a solid orange stripe down the display instead. I took a photo as it corrected itself but when the dealer saw it they took the car in did a software update and it was okay after that. But even over the last few days in the low temps, I’ve had faint lines in the background but I can still see the display and readings though. I think they are prone to failure in low temps - Grahame Elford from Surrey

Ford S-MAX 2009

I have the Sony dab radio CD fitted and would like to fit the 6 CD unit. Would I have to have the Ford sat nav as these seem to be with only 6 CD? (Titanium)

Ford S-MAX 2011

How do you remove the rear outer lamp on a Ford S-MAX without damaging it.

Answers

You need to open up the panels on the inside of the boot, there’s one on each side. You then need to reach in towards the rear light cluster, and on the top and bottom of each is a spindle with a circular, wing nut type, plastic fitting. It’s fiddly to find them, there are a couple of wire looms that get in the way. Once found, unscrew both of these, being very careful not to drop them into the void. Once you’ve undone both, the light cluster can be slid out from the body of the car. I know this because by wife tried to lever them off using a large screwdriver, without undoing the wing nuts! - Andy from Lothians

Ford S-MAX 2006

Following an oil change, what colour should the oil be on the Dip Stick? Thank you.

Answers

Fresh oil should be a golden brown clear colour. Tired oil is jet black, but your dipstick may have a little staining/residue on it. If you’re still unsure, get a bottle of oil and drop a bit onto a piece of paper of a used white drinks bottle top - Dave Liggins from England

Ford S-MAX 2006

On my Ford S-MAX, there is a whining noise at low revs/tick over and engine warning sign came on. I took it to local garage and they said it was running lean, and there was an air leak causing this but could not find it. Any advice would be much appreciated, it’s a petrol 2.5 turbo. Thanks.

Ford S-MAX 2008

My Ford S-MAX is showing an engine malfunction warning followed by esp skid illumination. Is it common? The engine is very fierce on throttle opening clutch sometimes, stalls engine on take off. What is the likely cause? 28,000 miles recorded only.

Answers

Had this myself, needs software update at a dealer! - Tony Ollier from Cheshire

Ford S-MAX 2008

Is the throttle response always very fast on turbo diesel Ford S-MAX’s?

Answers

Yes especially if it’s a diesel - Martin Jones from Essex

Ford S-MAX 2006

I want to fit a pioneer avic d3 to my 2006 Ford S-MAX 1.8tdci. I need to fit a can bus interface for the steering controls and an speed sensor wire but the ones I have found all say 2007 S-max vehicles without ignition feed in vehicle loom. Mine is 2006 does this fit or there a difference between the 2 production years?

Ford S-MAX 2007

How much does a leaking fuel injector on a Ford S-MAX cost?

Ford S-MAX 2006

Will the spare key for my Ford S-MAX set the alarm off on entry?

Ford S-MAX 2006

I have a problem. After turning off the car, there is a clicking noise from the fuse box under the bonnet. Unfortunately it seems that this is somehow connected to the draining of the battery, which is 1 year old. I tried everything, and I’m up to take the car to the service, but they are extremely expensive :( I’d appreciate any help! (Titanium)

Ford S-MAX 2007

I cannot get more than one phone connected via bluetooth on my Ford S-MAX Titanium X. Any ideas? Thanks!

Ford S-MAX 2009

How do you change the centre brake light on a Ford S-MAX Titanium?

Ford S-MAX 2011

Panoramic sun blind will not work. Why? (S-Max 2L tdci)

Answers

Surely it’s still under warranty? Take it to a Ford dealer - Martin Jones from Essex

If it works the same way as the C-Max. You have to pull and push up to release it I think - Geoff from England

Ford S-MAX 2007

My S-Max won’t start, it just makes a clicking sound and the dashboard lights flash on and off. Can anyone please help or advise?

Answers

I would check your starter motor solonoid. Sounds like it might be at fault and not throwing into the flywheel ring gear? Have you checked the battery for state of charge? If low check the alternator to see if it is charging? Simon Rutherford from Ceredigion

Yes, the problem you have got is the starter motor is stuck. All it requires is a gentle tap (and I mean gentle) and it will free off - Heath Paige from Yorkshire

The first thing to try is charging the battery. A partly charged battery will not always activate the starter solenoid. If this is the case, get the battery and/or alternator tested - Dave Stephenson from Nottinghamshire

Hi, yeah this happened to my S-Max, just a loose connection by starter motor, all works fine soon as back together - Paul Knight from London