Focus starting issues

Topic: Focus starting issues (Read 756 times) previous topic - next topic

Focus starting issues

September 17, 2006, 12:50:29 AM

We have an '02 Focus that decided it doesn't want to start. I pull up and first go for the battery and jump it. Voltages are fine and the car's electrical still seems strong. There isn't a single click from the starter. Move ignition to 'run' and the car's lights dim but nothing happens. Does this sound like 'just' the starter or does it seem like it isn't even getting current? The thing supposedly has been starting up like normal, even this morning. Not sure how the starting system is similar to ours, but is there a relay that may be bad? Need to jump the thing to get it out of the parking garage its stuck in.

Any ideas that I can do there in the garage (without jacking it up and everything - no room), or should we just tow it to a more suitable location?

edit:
Also, no stores around here carry the manuals on these things. No idea why. Autozone's webpage doesn't have them either.

for all I know, it could be the chip in the key that isn't working, or a computer, or any one of the other thousand of things that the newer cars have.

Focus starting issues

Reply #1 – September 17, 2006, 01:23:29 AM

I had problems with mine, thank god its gone now. Look at the alternater plug, mine literaly fell apart in my hand when we were looking it over.

That and the early Foci had problems with the electrical systems.

Focus starting issues

Reply #2 – September 17, 2006, 01:35:03 AM

sounds like a bad selonoid. or possiby the starter.

try tapping it with a hammer and see if it does anything.

Focus starting issues

Reply #3 – September 17, 2006, 01:38:25 AM

Easier said than done in that place. "Compact" parking lots are tightly packed. Not sure exactly where the starter is on the thing and couldn't get to it even if I did. No idea where the relay is either (read there's a second(?) starter relay in the fuse box).

Alternator plug? Jumped from the van, the thing still didn't start. It isn't a charging issue.

Focus starting issues

Reply #4 – September 17, 2006, 05:49:45 AM

make sure the ground is hooked up to the battery.

Focus starting issues

Reply #5 – September 17, 2006, 11:30:17 AM

That'd cause only the starter to not spin, but the rest of the car (headlights and all) work fine/bright? Cables at the battery, although not the prettiest, are making good contact. Just want to know where the relay is so I can try jumping a wire across it manually. Already have a list of things to recheck (in the daytime) today. I sure hope it isn't the chip in the key, as she has only one.

Need to get the thing started so we don't have to deal with a $250 fee for towing the thing out of there

Focus starting issues

Reply #6 – September 17, 2006, 12:35:30 PM

okay, found how to figure out if its the key thats at fault - the immobilizer led will light for a couple seconds when the ignition it set to "run" if the system isn't functioning/recognizing properly. Still can't find the starter solenoid in manuals so I guess I have to find it manually.

Focus starting issues

Reply #7 – September 17, 2006, 06:39:30 PM

Okay, after trying to jump the starter (2 always + wires? Says so from voltmeter) without having any luck, the car turned over with the MAF sensor unplugged. Plugged it back in and the car instantly died, restarting continued to spin the starter, but no start. Unplugging it again, it'd start, run rough, then die a few times. Let it sit while thinking it over, tried starting again, it started and I could get the thing's rpm's up before it died. Plugging the MAF back in at 4,000 rpms, it worked fine. Turned off, restarted, and it ran again.

Seems like battery/alternator related but jump starting the battery didn't help and the alternator is putting out 14.6v. Lights always worked fine.

So far, the thing has been running fine, although we now have a check engine light from I'm guessing no MAF earlier. Parked in the driveway as I write this.

So any ideas as to whats causing all this? Wire connections are fine all around. Only thing I can think of that we changed was moving wires around while trying to get it going.