Always check the simple things first....

[RTanguy]

When the car won't start and nothing will work (and you know the battery isn't flat because its new), it may be that the battery lead has just come loose and you dont need to sit around for 2 hours waiting for the RAC at 1am in the morning!

[ASL642]

Oh well! Carry a torch and inspect yourself first. You may just notice something looks wrong.

[MarkyB]

Always suspect the last thing that was changed is a handy maxim!

[Matt]

Don't worry - I had a fun time with a breakdown service last night too...

This is in my focus so no real minor content, just wanted to show things could be worse ;)

I am on my way to my Digs (I work about 280 miles from home) Driving along I loose 1st, 3rd and 5th gears... I turn around and start to make for home, 100 yards later BANG clatter clatter clatter and I pull over ASAP (50 yards) to find an alloy casting which holds the weight of the gearbox and engine on the passenger side has snapped (fortunately not part of the actual box!)

Ring "the recovery service" and was advised a patrol should be there in 2 hours (not happy - says 40 mins on the website!). After 3 hours I get a phone call... "Hi Mate... I can't find you" turns out the patrol man had been sent to Gloucester instead of Cheltenham... 30 mins later he turns up, takes one look, agrees with me and tells the office to arrange recovery. "It will be "xxxx" who come and pic you up, they are within walking distance so shouldn't be too long"

another 2 hours later "Hi Mate... I can't find you" same again

I got it recovered to my Uncles which is much closer where I took a different car (met my parents with my mum's car)

I managed to get to my digs at 0345 this morning in time to get up at 6am... oh joy

I've now got to get to my Uncles to repair it now (but if I am very lucky he might do it when he is bored!)

[bmcecosse]

So - why did the casting break? Did it hit something?? Is this a known Focus problem ?