- #41 of 286
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Focus Battery Discharging
by persistance
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Feb 01, 2007 (8:03 pm)
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My 2003 Ford Focus with 35,000 miles ">is charging just about 14 volts and currently has a new battery. If the car sits for 24 hours the battery goes dead. I've had an ammeter between the neg. battery post and the neg. cable and come up with a draw of 12-26 milliamps when car is at rest with nothing on. The book says anything 50 milliamps or less is o.k..
I'm at a loss finding the problem, but Ford can check my charging system for $90. pretty funny huh! I'm supporting a family on a tight budget and my wife has become frustrated going out to the car with our baby in her arms only to find out the car is as dead as a door nail. The Ford Motor Company is hurting my marriage. Please help. Thanx
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- #42 of 286
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2002 Ford Focus Electrical Problem?
by cascadiaesq
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Feb 10, 2007 (4:03 pm)
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First of all, I absolutely love my car but it has a problem. It is a 2002 Ford Ford ZTW (wagon). Here are the symptoms and I am trying to make sure we don't burn up a battery before we have another installed:
1. Car won't start, won't turn over, radio display won't come on (although after a few minutes it started to).
2. I've had the radio display problem several times - always fixed itself. Our car remotes sometimes won't open all doors when pressed twice (although I am not too concerned about that.)
3. Just remembered the other day I had a hard time starting the car (it is rainy - not real cold here 40s) but it started after 3rd try or so.
4. I've read that from reviewing internet sites that it may involve either the alternator (too expensive), voltage regulator, battery (its foaming - way corrodated - looks like it happened fast), or the starter.
My uneducated intuition says it involves the voltage - getting the juice to the engine because of the radio display problem, the remotes, and engine starting problem). So I think that would effect the battery and maybe burn it out but is not the cause?? My further guess is that replacing the battery is only a temporary solution but I don't know what the causes may be and we have a big trip coming up. Any ideas like the voltage regulator?? I need some ideas to feed to the repair guy (may be my husband).
Thanks in advance. I absolutely love my Focus wagon - wouldn't want to be without it.
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- #43 of 286
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Re: 2002 Ford Focus Electrical Problem? [cascadiaesq]
by persistance
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Feb 10, 2007 (8:15 pm)
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Replying to: cascadiaesq (Feb 10, 2007 4:03 pm)
It sounds as if we have a similar problem with our ZTW's and I'm still looking into it. Let me ask you does your battery go dead if the car sits for two days untouched? ">
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- #44 of 286
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Re: 2000 ford focus electrical problem [jschmidt05]
by kartdevil
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Feb 12, 2007 (8:57 am)
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Replying to: jschmidt05 (Dec 03, 2006 12:44 pm)
I had the alternator replaced several times in my 2002 ford focus zx3, I would get it replaced and a week later it would go out again. Finally after doing this about 5 times at Pep Boys, I decided to spend the extra cash and have ford do it. They said the incorrect alternator was being installed. Take that for what it is worth, I have not had the problem since, but I now have a new electrical problem where my instrument cluster pegs out and then shut off then starts working fine, mainly at start up.
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- #45 of 286
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Re: Gauges going crazy with strange clicking noise [explorerx4]
by kartdevil
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Feb 12, 2007 (9:13 am)
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Replying to: explorerx4 (May 24, 2006 2:29 pm)
Did you ever get this problem fixed? I am having the same problem I have 50,000 miles on a 2002 focus zx3, and the instrument clusters will peg out at max, then shut completely off, then go back to normal repeatedly. The battery light will illuminate then go out. Interior light will go on and off, headlights will dim but not go out, and I can hear a clicking from what I think is a relay in the fuse box. Mainly happens at start up but has happened while driving for awhile. Took it to ford but they could not find anything. I just recently had alternator and battery replaced, but before this problem came about. Any suggestions would be helpful.
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- #46 of 286
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Re: 2002 Ford Focus Electrical Problem? [cascadiaesq]
by cascadiaesq
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Feb 12, 2007 (9:30 am)
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Replying to: cascadiaesq (Feb 10, 2007 4:03 pm)
Here's the continuation of the problem. Battery was replaced and got the car started - appears to be working. However the clock and stereo will not display or work at all. Is there any way to reset it to get the display and radio working again? Or, is this just another sign that something is still wrong with the car?
Thanks in advance.
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- #47 of 286
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Re: 2002 Ford Focus Electrical Problem? [persistance]
by cascadiaesq
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Feb 12, 2007 (9:36 am)
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Replying to: persistance (Feb 10, 2007 8:15 pm)
No. But I did it take 3 times or so to start - perhaps 2-3 different occasions. But we use the car everyday. Now with the new battery the display on the clock and radio is gone and radio of course does not work. This is consistent with what was happening prior to the battery change and it would fix itself - suddenly reappear. The repair shop (non-Ford) said that it just needed to be reset because of a anti-theft system but I don't believe that's true. I understnad that I would need to reinput the time and stations etc but the display itself should come up--just another mystery. Please let me know what you find out. OH - the repair shop said that the battery was getting charged - no problem there.
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- #48 of 286
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Gauge problem
by hault
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Feb 12, 2007 (7:38 pm)
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I have had the same problem. It occurred rarely until my extended warranty expired of course. It seems to occur the most when the outside temp is below freezing and the car is a cold start. All 4 gauges peg max for approx 1-2 seconds, go to zero, then function normally. Mine is a 200 model w/47,000 miles. HELP!
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- #49 of 286
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Re: Gauge problem [hault]
by kartdevil
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Feb 14, 2007 (6:52 pm)
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Replying to: hault (Feb 12, 2007 7:38 pm)
I just took the car to an electrical specialist they noted there is a short in the dash (unknown whereabouts) and the alternator is overcharging, needless to say this is the 5th alternator in less than 2 years. They wanted $500 to remove the dash and find the short, but I'm am going to raise hell with Ford. I took it back to Ford because the alternator is still under its 1 year warranty and I'm having them look into the short while they are at it. I will see what they want to charge and then start the paperwork trail to Ford Corp. If they charge me less than $300 I will not complain, I'll just take it as a learning lesson and not buy another Ford. They almost gauranteed they could find the short in 2-3 hours. We'll see, they will be looking at it in the morning. I'll post what I find out.
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- #50 of 286
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Re: Gauge problem [hault]
by kartdevil
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Feb 15, 2007 (4:07 pm)
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Replying to: hault (Feb 12, 2007 7:38 pm)
Well I got the car from the Ford Dealership, and much to my amazement my alternator was replaced free of charge due to it overcharging and because they just replaced it in June so it was still under warranty. As far as the gauge problem goes they noted some corrosion on the positive battery post below the surface of the battery top, cleaned it and as of now it seems to be fixed. I drove it home about 15 miles and the problem was gone or at least did not repeat. Best of all NO COST AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully this may give you an inexpensive point to start at.
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