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Ford Focus Electrical and Lighting Problems

286 messages,  Last post on Nov 13, 2009 at 4:52 PM

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

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#220 of 286 Battery Issue by chirps Apr 23, 2009 (8:02 pm)
Okay, here's the problem. I purchased a 2003 Focus wagon in FL and drove it back to NY. As I drove up, no problems except a bad tire. I never stopped for more than three hours and never had a problem starting up the car. I get back to NY and park in the street overnight, the next morning I had some difficulty starting the car, real slow turning over like a weak battery. It kicked over and I pulled it into the driveway (running a little rough). Three days later I came back and it barely started. I ran it highway speed for about 45 min. When I arrived home, it started up no problem. It sits for two days, and today it turned over very weakly and didn't start. The battery is 3 yo (8/06) and is presently charging in the basement. What steps should I take to diagnose the problem, i.e. what are the likely problems and what order should I proceed in.   I was thinking 1) Charge battery overnight / take it to a local shop to have them check it, replace if necessary. 2) Since the battery is only 3 years old it seems unlikely that the battery is the only problem. Once I check / replace the battery, I should check the charging system. If the charging system isn't the problem, then I can narrow it down to a bad battery / short in wiring. 3) If the charging system is bad, the culprit is either the alternator or the wiring. I can remove the alternator and have them check it. If the alternator checks OK then it must be wiring from the alternator to batt.   What I'm trying to do is avoid replacing the battery & having the "new" battery die like the old one and like others have had on this thread. Tips, Tricks?   Thanks in advance Sam Replies to this message: oldfordmech (Apr 23, 2009 8:32 pm) chirps (Apr 23, 2009 9:06 pm)
#221 of 286 Re: Battery Issue [chirps] by oldfordmech Apr 23, 2009 (8:32 pm)
Replying to: chirps (Apr 23, 2009 8:02 pm) AFTER U CHARGE BATTERY, hAVE IT LOAD TESTED, IT SHOULD HOLD 9.6VOLTS FOR 15 SEC. WHEN LOADED TO 1/2 THE RATED CAP. OF THE BATTERY. A BATTERY THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD COULD WELL BE BAD IF IT WAS A CHEAP BATT TO BEGIN WITH. MAKE SURE YOUR CABLES ARE ( CLEAN AND TIGHT ON BOTH ENDS. Replies to this message: chirps (Apr 23, 2009 9:06 pm)
#222 of 286 Re: Battery Issue [oldfordmech] by chirps Apr 23, 2009 (9:06 pm)
Replying to: oldfordmech (Apr 23, 2009 8:32 pm) okay, suppose the battery is bad. I presume you mean check the cables on the alternator side and the positive battery terminal + negative battery terminal + negative ground are tight. Once these are tight, should I just assume the alternator is okay? Any tips for further testing to make sure the new battery doesn't get killed by some other fluke in the system? I'll post after I get results back from the battery test. Just to add the battery is a Diehard Gold. Personally I like interstate MT.
#223 of 286 slow cranking by oldfordmech Apr 24, 2009 (5:20 pm)
A diehard gold should be good, after u have a known good battery installed,to test the alt, get a digital volt meter. your alt should put out 14.2 volts at 1000 rpm with your lights,heater,and wipers on, or pretty close to 14 volts. if it does that then your alt is ok. let me know what u find. Replies to this message: chirps (Apr 26, 2009 4:03 pm)
#224 of 286 Re: slow cranking [oldfordmech] by chirps Apr 26, 2009 (4:03 pm)
Replying to: oldfordmech (Apr 24, 2009 5:20 pm) Turned out to be a bad battery after all. Put in a new battery and everything seems to be ok. There is one other small problem. As I turn the wheel (more pronounced with lower speeds), as it moves back to center there's a little back and forth movement that I feel. Tie-rods? Ball Joints? Axles? Any tips on how to diag. would be great.
#225 of 286 PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL by oldfordmech Apr 27, 2009 (9:22 am)
HOW MANY MILES ON YOUR CAR? TO TEST TIE RODS, JACK UP 1 FT WHEEL , GRAB THE TIRE AT THE FRONT & BACK AND ROCK IT BACK & FORTH. IF U HAVE ANY PLAY,HAVE SOMEONE ROCK THE WHEEL WHILE U LOOK AT THE TIE-ROD END FOR PLAY.( TO REPLACE,REMOVE COTTER KEY,THEN NUT, THEN LOOSEN JAM NUT ON TIE-ROD.NOW SMACK THE DOG-P--- OUT OF THE SPINDLE WHERE THE TIE ROD GOES THROUGH IT. IT WILL POP LOOSE, COUNT THE # OF TURNS IT TAKES TO REMOVE OLD END AND REINSTALL NEW ONE THE SAME # OF TURNS -- ABOUT A 10 MIN. JOB ) DO THE SAME WITH THE OTHER FT.WHEEL. GOOD LUUCK-LET ME KNOW
#226 of 286 HELP ME PLEASE!!!!! by stephanie82 Apr 30, 2009 (4:37 pm)
I have a 2000 ford focus and for bout 4 or 5 months now, the back tail,brake and signal lights dont work.And the hazard lights stay on. I have had 5 different people look at it and no one can it me whats wrong with it. I have had the bulbs replaced, fuses changed, new signal switches. They still dont work. If no one can help me PLEASE email me back at sprice82hotmail.com PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE someone help me. Replies to this message: matr2 (Jul 05, 2009 8:55 am) csmchugh (Jul 05, 2009 10:35 am) pf_flyer (Jul 05, 2009 2:23 pm)
#227 of 286 tail lights by oldfordmech Apr 30, 2009 (6:59 pm)
I WORKED AS A FORD TECH BACK IN 2000, WE HAD A FORD CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE WIRING LOOM THAT RUNS FROM THE UPPER LEFT CONNECTOR , INSIDE TRUNK, RUNS THROUGH THE TRUNK LID, TO THE LIC.PLATE LIGHTS AND BACKUP LIGHTS, IT WOULD RUB AND SHORT OUT INSIDE TRUNK LID, CHECK W/FORD AND SEE IF THIS WAS EVER DONE TO YOUR CAR.
#228 of 286 Tail light problems by paul2777 May 05, 2009 (12:19 am)
Hi all, I have a 2002 Ford Focus which I've had now for almost 5 years. A week ago I noticed that my drivers side tail lamp was not working yet the brake light worked fine. I replaced the bulb and checked all the fuses. The fuses were fine and I replaced the bulb anyway. The problem still persists. The passenger side works fine with both tail and brake lights working as normal. Now on the drivers side the dipped headlight ( again on the drivers side ) has failed which seems strange/odd as its on the same side ( drivers side ) as the failing tail light. Hope anyone can help. Regards Paul
#229 of 286 Stalling and missing - bad ground? by scottjn May 21, 2009 (8:17 pm)
Hello. I am having a problem with my 2000 Focus ZTS. It will very often when idling (in park or drive) or when coming to a stop die on me. It has no problem starting back up. When driving at higher speeds (>20 mph) it will often miss badly. I had this problem before and the dealer fixed it by fixing some ground wires (they didn't say which ones). They've since gone out of business and I would like to try to fix it myself. Any ideas which ground wires I should be looking for? Thanks!

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