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Ford Focus Electrical and Lighting Problems

486 messages,  Last post on Dec 19, 2012 at 7:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus SVT, Ford Focus, Lights, Electrical, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 16 of 49

#150 of 486 2000 Focus SE PCM? by zigszoo

Jan 28, 2008 (6:48 pm)

We purchased the car about 2 weeks ago - the battery light was on during the 2 hours we test drove it without any problems at all but we offered the dealer less cash with the thought it would need a battery or alternator soon. Since then, it runs fine; great even. It gets much better mpg's than our 04 Explorer so I'm driving it 15-20 miles a day to work until our teenage daughter gets her license.
Last week when our temps dropped to below zero, it started right up but after going about a mile: the lights dimmed, the CD & odo shut off etc. I got off the road & shut down everything electrical & gently gassed it for just a few seconds and everything came right back up. Expecting that the alternator was shot, we took it to our mechanic (again, started & ran fine after the frigid night incident) - he replaced the alternator (twice) and determined that it was not the problem. He thinks he traced it back to the PCM either not giving or getting good codes from the charging system...
Before I try to take the dealer to task on an "as is" purchase (if even possible) I have to wonder if it's worth it. The car has been fine ever since with the exception of the battery light coming on as soon as the idle drops from it's start up speed to "normal' idle. After reading the volumes of problems people are having, I feel lucky and worry that if we let Ford start messing with it, we're gong to be in the same boat.....but the mechanic tells me the PCM is something only they can do.
 
Has anyone had their PCM replaced and/or reprogrammed? How much did it cost? Did it solve your problem? Did you experience any new ones afterwards?
 
Any input is appreciated, I dont think I'll have a leg to stand on past 30 days after purchasing (if I even do at this point!) so I'm going to have to make a decision soon!
Thanks!
 

#151 of 486 Re: 2000 Focus SE PCM? [zigszoo] by 1dufflebag

Jan 28, 2008 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: zigszoo (Jan 28, 2008 6:48 pm)
Try removing the batter cable, leaving it off for atleast 2 minutes.
 
Then put batter cable back on and start. At very minimum your computer will be reset and if the problem re-occurs, you will know it is not a matter of rebooting the computer to solve the problem.
 
I have used this method with warning lights, and even when my care would not start and was about to be towed. REmoved the cable, reset computer, and good to go. If its a real problem the light or symptom will reappear. In many cases with the ford focus its just a hickup with the computer, in my experience.
 
hope this helps.

#152 of 486 Re: 2000 Focus SE PCM? [1dufflebag] by zigszoo

Jan 30, 2008 (3:27 am)

Replying to: 1dufflebag (Jan 28, 2008 9:26 pm)
Thanks for the suggestion,
 
Wouldn't our mechanic have disconnected the battery to change the alternator? Im no expert but the clock and radio settings had to be reset after we got it back so he may have already tried that himself.
 
The temps have dropped again here in the Windy City so maybe the car will make my decision for me. But if it continues to start & run as well as it has been without trouble, I'll try your suggestion (on a warmer day!) & take my chances until something else happens.
 
Maybe Im being superstitious but Ford doesn't seem to really know (or care) whats wrong with these cars and Im afraid that having them mess with it may only cause us new problems.

#153 of 486 Re: 2000 Focus SE PCM? [zigszoo] by 1dufflebag

Jan 30, 2008 (5:29 am)

Replying to: zigszoo (Jan 30, 2008 3:27 am)
Good strategy. Even though I had a lot of little problems with my focuses (3 previous) I still came back to the ride and design to buy another. Speaking of ford repairs, I did find it best to get a good non-ford mechanic for certain repairs, since I had the same problem with what appeared to be lack of concern and ability on the part of ford mechanics in my town. Maybe its that way everywhere? Good Luck. Hope the reset battery tip can help at somepoint, or better yet, you dont need it.

#154 of 486 Re: elctrical problems [dpez19] by dpez19

Jan 30, 2008 (7:02 am)

Replying to: dpez19 (Jan 24, 2008 5:33 am)
found out what my problem was. i took the central fuse box out in the glove box and in the back of it is like a large relay type box which unclips. i uncliped it and plugged it back in and things seem to be working again. do u or anyone else know where i can purchase a new one cheap if it goes again?

#155 of 486 Re: elctrical problems [dpez19] by gembot

Feb 07, 2008 (9:24 am)

Replying to: dpez19 (Jan 24, 2008 5:33 am)
Hi, ive found the problem!! It was the timing module. They are around £30-£35, and are apparently prone to breaking!! Your local Ford dealer should be able to sort you one out. All the probs i had orignally are all now sorted.
 
I hope this helps you.
 
All the best
 
XxX

#156 of 486 2003 ford focus alternator/electrical problem by john238

Mar 19, 2008 (8:40 pm)

recently my 2003 focus battery died so i went to auto zone and had the alternator tested they said it was bad so i replaced it. after replacing it the battery light was still on so again i went to auto zone and had the new one tested and again it was bad. they gave me a new one and after installing, the battery light was still on so again i had them test it and it to was bad again. they suggested there could be an electrical problem causing the alternators to burn up. I dont understand how an electrical problem would just appear out of nowhere for no apparent reason if thats the problem. i know auto zone is not known for great quality but i cant imagine i received two bad alternators. any ideas?

#157 of 486 Re: 2003 ford focus alternator/electrical problem [john238] by 1dufflebag

Mar 20, 2008 (8:27 am)

Replying to: john238 (Mar 19, 2008 8:40 pm)
try unhooking the battery cable for atleast 30 seconds, it resets your computer. Then turn on again and see if it doesnt reset your trouble light. I find many trouble lights on ford focus are false alarms.
 
Then, if the light comes back on or never goes off, it is probably legitimate issue.
 
This also worked for me on many no start situations where the computer just needed to be reset

#158 of 486 Re: 2001 focus weird problem! [jawaldro] by steverino2

Apr 03, 2008 (9:04 am)

Replying to: jawaldro (Oct 10, 2007 12:00 pm)
Most of the problems you describe I have not had... except the parking lights (and instrument cluster).
 
Where exactly is the ignition relay? Under the dash near the fuses? Or under the hood?
 
Thanks

#159 of 486 Re: 2002 Ford Focus Electrical Problem? [jrusch] by conanh

Apr 30, 2008 (7:45 pm)

Replying to: jrusch (Dec 18, 2007 11:06 am)
Yes I had this problem it was caused by the battery conections to the post. There was Corrosion in-between the post and the cable connection. The corrosion cannot be seen without taking off the cable connection off the battery post. And when I cleaned the connection I had to put shims because now the connection was too lose and I could not tighen them enuf. But I had not had a problem sence I fixed it.

Messages Page 16 of 49

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