Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Focus Care & Maintenance

334 messages,  Last post on Nov 20, 2012 at 12:27 PM

You are in the Ford Focus Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 19 of 34

#180 of 334 HELP!!! Steering wheel falling off!!! by jack526

Apr 16, 2006 (3:36 pm)

I have a 2003 Ford Focus and have had the ignition replace once by Cowboy in Atlanta, haven't had any problems since. But on yesterday, I'm driving along and my steering wheel is practically falling off, it is so loose that I'm afraid it will fall into my lap. I went to Firestone with the car and they recommended that I take it to the dealer, which I will do first thing tomorrow. I will also contact Ford about this issue, as well as a local reporter here in Atlanta, (they seem to thrive on problems). Whenever I see that Ford commercial going on about customer service and safety, I just scream at the television, what a bunch of BS!!! Oh, and my trunk, just opens up whenever it feels like it. That I can almost live with, but I don't think I can make it without a steering wheel. Any answers please let me know.

#181 of 334 Re: My 2003 Focus SE Sedan concerns. [jeromeb] by jeromeb

May 29, 2006 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: jeromeb (Feb 18, 2006 2:45 pm)
An update ... With one week remaining on the b2b warranty, it's in the shop for warranty replacement of the power window control module, rebuild of the transaxle, and body work.
The body work is pursuant to being rear-ended by a hummer.
 
It's strange to say that I owe my life to a car that has so many problems. So, I won't say it. The hummer was going 3 mph.
 
The transaxle overhaul was a replacement of a faulty design. It's not been recalled as a safety issue. The performance indicator was that on 2 occasions at the transition to 4th gear, the car "jerked", as if abruptly losing force to the wheels.
 
The power window control module stopped operating one of the windows, so I pushed harder, and pushed the button assembly through the door handle.
 
I think they're going to keep it until the b2b warranty expires.

#182 of 334 air conditioner not very cold after being fixed at mechanic by oily_rags

Jun 28, 2006 (5:44 pm)

Hello. I had a leak on my for focus setec se. It was made in 2002, but sold as a 2003 model. The leak was fixed as I understand by sealing the outside, and putting a sealer INSIDE the A/C system. It was cold for 1 day and now it's barely cold at all. somewhat "Cool" would be a better description of the air coming out of the vents. Also, when I am in neutral or stopped the car seems to rev more when the a/c is on, than before being fixed. It revs up to 1000 rpm or slightly more even sometimes evert 3 or 4 seconds and lasts only a second before the revs drop off. It didn't used to do this.
    I'm just trying to get an understanding of what's happening. My mechanic suspecs that the sealer he put in the a/c took up the room the freon needed when he filled it. He told me it took only 15 min to refill the freon when it normally takes 30 min. I'm gonna take it back to him to check out but I wanted to see if any mechanics out there know if this is actually the proble. My mechanic said he would take a look at it and refill the freon. What worrys me more is the increased revving by the compressor.

#183 of 334 Help with Air Conditioning in my Focus by bravobro

Jul 02, 2006 (11:12 am)

Hi,
 
I drive a 2001 Ford Focus LX Saloon, with a 1.6litre 16valve Zetec SE engine.
 
This is the first car I've owned thats had proper air conditioning, and now its got to the summer I'm starting to use it. Thing is, it doesnt seem to do very much at all. It doesnt seem any colder than having the ordinary fan on. On a hot day, it isnt until you've been driving for about 25mins that you actually get any cool air. Even then its not cold. So you have to have open windows instead.
 
Any ideas as to why this is? I've heard people talk about getting their air con 'charged'. What does this entail and would it help me? Is it an expensive proceedure?
 
Appreciate any help you can offer.
Cheers

#184 of 334 Reply - Help with Air Conditioning... by rwgreenberg

Jul 07, 2006 (3:10 pm)

Hi. I have a 2001 Focus ZX3 and a couple of weeks ago realized that the AC was not what is used to be. I found a local shop that specializes in auto AC. Brought the car in and he recharged the system for 50 bucks (while I waited!). Seems to have done the trick. I am most pleased that I actually found someone to do something on the car at a reasonable cost...and it works to boot! Amazing.

#185 of 334 Re: Power Window Failure [eriks100] by jdlayman

Jul 21, 2006 (4:06 pm)

Replying to: eriks100 (Nov 08, 2005 9:53 am)
I experienced the exact same problem with our 2001 SE around 55k miles. We are a married couple with no kids so our rear power windows are rarely ever used. Last year the driver's side rear became stuck most of the waay down and the motor quit working. We were leaving for a trip that day so we had no choice but to make a quick trip to the Ford dealer and almost $400 later it was fixed. Now tonight, the opposite window did the exact same thing. Seems like defective parts to me but I'm sure the Ford dealer will think otherwise. If we used the windows alot I could remotely understand but these windows have probably been up and down less than a dozen times since we bought the car. I am very unsatisfied.

#186 of 334 Re: Where is Fuse #63 for Door Locks [hemmi] by rainman10000

Jul 21, 2006 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: hemmi (Dec 31, 2005 1:06 pm)
I'm having the same problem, did you ever get an answer?

#187 of 334 A/C is killing my performance by nyfocus1

Aug 17, 2006 (11:51 am)

I posted this under the general Focus forum as well:
 
This is the 6th summer I had the car & this year the A/C is killing my performance. The car struggles to get out of its own way and on steeps hills it will actually lose speed (it never did that before). My MPG has dropped from 30 to about 24-25. While the A/C has always taken its toll, this year is by far worse than any other year.
  
The car runs great when the A/C is off. I had a tune-up several months ago – new plugs, wires, air & fuel filter, etc. The A/C was fully recharged to eliminate any issues with it “cycling” on & off to frequently. The A/C itself works great – the air is plenty cold & cools the car in no time.
  
Normally I would just say the car is getting old but when the A/C is off, it runs (almost) like new.

#188 of 334 2003 Ford Focus where does the freon go??] by melhale

Aug 20, 2006 (3:00 pm)

Replying to: bravobro (Jul 02, 2006 11:12 am)
Does anyone know where and how you put the freon in a 2003 Ford Focus?

#189 of 334 Re: 2003 Ford Focus where does the freon go??] [melhale] by rwgreenberg

Aug 26, 2006 (4:45 pm)

Replying to: melhale (Aug 20, 2006 3:00 pm)
Hi. I recently had freon added to my 2001 ZX3. The mechanic searched and searched and finally referred to his computer guide. Anyway, the frean went into a port that was located behind the front passenger tire. He had to remove the tire and a bit of plastic around the wheel well to get to it.

Messages Page 19 of 34

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement