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Ford Focus Electrical and Lighting Problems

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

You are in the Ford Focus Forum.

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

Messages Page 39 of 49

#379 of 486 2000 Ford Focus going crazy by careed33

Jan 06, 2011 (1:49 pm)

My 2000 Ford Focus started off having problems yesterday when I started the car and all the needles on the instrument panel shot all the way over to the right and then a few seconds later went back down to zero. I turned off the car and started it again and it didn't do it a second time. I decided to go and run my errands and it started again but this time while I was driving. The needles started jumping all over the place but the gas needle stayed where it was. After a little bit of this, my odometer shut off completely then came on with little lines on it. It was acting funny when I tried to brake and had a slight jerk and when I was stopped it ever so often made this strange grinding type sound from under the hood. This morning when I tried to start it, it cranked and same needle effect then shut off. I had to jump it and it ran fine then when I touched the key to turn it off, it made this horrible SCREECH sound and I promptly shut it off. When I tried to start it again, it gave me that classic im not gonna start sound. No clicking like when the battery is almost dead or anything like that. I am wits end with this car. Someone please help. I don't have all the money in the world to fix this car at a shop and am capable of fixing this to a certain extent.

#380 of 486 Re: 2000 ford focus engine hesitation/radio shuts off [templetonjt] by arguy

Jan 13, 2011 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: templetonjt (Aug 26, 2010 10:05 am)
I have an identical problem with my 2000 Focus Wagon. Started with just the radio shutting down (LCD screen goes blank). Today the entire dash pod lit up (all the idiot lights illuminated) and all the gauges went to zero. Did you ever isolate the problem?

#381 of 486 Re: 2000 ford focus engine hesitation/radio shuts off [arguy] by careed33

Jan 13, 2011 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: arguy (Jan 13, 2011 5:17 pm)
Yes. I Did. After replacing the already bad alternator, having the battery checked for any dead cells, and checking the ignition switch, it turned out to be a fried computer. I ended up buying a new one from Oreilly. Cost me about 185 plus the cost to get it programmed. The thing that confused me was everyone saying it was the vehicle speed sensor. That didn't make any sense because the car was standing still. None the less, it turned out to be a fried computer. Pull the existing one out of your focus and have it checked. You can get a brand new one from Oreilly or look on ebay. I suggest matching the computer part # to one they have on there. You can get it alot cheaper but it is used. Attached you will find a link that will tell you how to get the glove box open to get to the computer behind it. If you have any questions let me know. My car is running perfectly now with no problems at all. http://www.ehow.com/how_7539318_remove-ecu-ford-focus.html

#382 of 486 Predicting or detecting electrical problems in 2007 Ford Focus? by 99_escort_se

Feb 17, 2011 (4:24 pm)

#383 of 486 Predicting or detecting electrical problems in 2007 Ford Focus? by 99_escort_se

Feb 17, 2011 (4:24 pm)

I have a 1999 Ford Focus and LOVE it - bought it used. Great gas mileage, no problems, etc. Am thinking it's time to replace it and was looking at the 2007 Ford Focus -(four door sedan) a used one, but see that some of them have LOTS of problems with the alternator or other electrical problems. Is there anyway to determine or "test" a used car to see if it has/will have electrical problems? THANKS!

#384 of 486 Re: 2000 ford focus engine hesitation/radio shuts off [careed33] by corbryant

Mar 12, 2011 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: careed33 (Jan 13, 2011 7:17 pm)
My roomates 2001 Focus (2.0) has been giving us trouble, and I've basically taken the same steps as you. I replaced a very expsensive alternator, and it's still acting up. Sitting at a redlight, the headlights and dash lights go on and off, the gauges bounce back and forth and it runs rough. It does the same thing if I'm driving, but then it seems to slip out of gear and and the engine winds up. The gauges sometimes continue to work and you can see it wind up to about 4000RPM then it catches and slams back into gear if you don't let off of the gas pedal. It's hard to diagnose since it's intermittent, but I think replacing the computer is a good idea after reading your post.
 
Everyone agree with that?

#385 of 486 Re: Predicting or detecting electrical problems in 2007 Ford Focus? [99_escort_se] by corbryant

Mar 12, 2011 (3:37 pm)

Replying to: 99_escort_se (Feb 17, 2011 4:24 pm)
Drive it around...ALOT...even if you have to stop and put gas in it. Take it on the highway, up hills, etc.. Let it sit with the hood closed, running while you talk to the people afer you get back so it builds up a lot of heat under the hood - that will kind of help identify any "heat soaking" issues with elecrical components that only fail when they get really hot.
 
People get pissed off at me sometimes when I buy a car and test drive it. I try to drive for 30-45 minutes at least. It gives the car plenty of time to warm up and [hopefully] let any intermittent problems the car might be having. I know the older Focuses have quite a few issues from what I've gathered by reading in the forums - maybe electrical issues...but I would LIKE to think that Ford only improved on that and any later model would be much more dependable.
 
In the end, elecrical issues suck and are sometimes impossible to track down - especially if they are intermittent and only happen occasionally...those are the worst because it has to be failing before you can really diagnose it in most cases. I'm in no way an ace mechanic, but you'd be surprised at how many times I've saved myself from being ripped off by just driving the car a few extra miles and spending a little more time with it.
 
I had one guy leave only a tiny bit of gas in the car I was thinking about buying and said "just go around the block..." I told him I'd put gas in it, that I'd prefer he go with me and drive around for a few minutes - he refused and said another buyer was coming and he didn't want to miss him. The best part is that about 2 weeks later, I saw the car on the side of the road and a teenager was standing next to it. I stopped to see if he needed help and he explained that he bought the car and (LOL) immediately put gas in it and drove home. Poor kid said he didn't get 2 miles and it started overheating. It turned out to have a blown head gasket, and the jackass he bought it from had just changed the oil and water to hide it and let it limp by through the test drives. As long as it didn't get up to operating temp the head gasket was all but undetectable. I suggested he go drive it through the sellers front door. "Around the block", indeed. =)
 
Cor

#386 of 486 Re: 2000 ford focus engine hesitation/radio shuts off [corbryant] by oldfordmech

Mar 13, 2011 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: corbryant (Mar 12, 2011 3:20 pm)
? why did you replace alt. assy. What is your battery voltage with eng shut off ? now start and run eng at 1000 rpm and check voltage at battery,
it should rise up to 14.2 to 14.6 but not much higher.
 
If voltage is not within spec. check ALL battery cables from battery to starter and battery to ground ( BOTH ENDS ) must be tight CLEAN & TIGHT
 
Let me know

#387 of 486 Re: 2001 Ford Focus - Gauges Erratic, Shift Issues, Flikering Lights by corbryant

Mar 14, 2011 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: oldfordmech (Mar 13, 2011 5:37 pm)
It's not a voltage issue. The alternator was replaced becuase it was not charging (11.5v). The alternator that is on it now is working fine. I've already checked the voltage, which was over 14v under full load with the A/C on high and the high beams lit. I replaced the terminal ends today becuase I did find a .5 volt drop from the terminal end to mid way down the starter cable.. The headlights/dash lights still flicker badly and the gauges still sweep back and forth occasionally along with the shifting issue where it seems to fall out of gear when the lights flicker and all of that. I'm just going to replace the computer and pray that does the trick. I can't think of anything else that would cause this variety of issues - and I did find one instance where someones dash gauges were sweeping back and forth and replacing the ECU fixed it.
 
Cor

#388 of 486 Re: Ford Focus....lemon...??? [matsukes] by corbryant

Mar 14, 2011 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: matsukes (Oct 24, 2008 2:32 pm)
The car catching on fire was a blessing. I wish ours would catch fire.. =)

Messages Page 39 of 49

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