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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 43 of 49

#417 of 486 Re: headlights and starting issues [achoward] by steveinarizona

Sep 02, 2011 (8:18 am)

Replying to: achoward (Sep 02, 2011 8:14 am)
I have a 2005 Ford Focus in the repair shop right now for an alternator problem. Our problems started about two months ago with the car acting up not starting, or when idling the dash goes crazy with lights going bright or weak and various electrical components not working such as headlights, radio, ect. We replaced the alternator for the 3rd time with another autozone warranty alternator and it lasted about two weeks. The NAPA repair facility thinks it is due to cheaply made autozone alternators and we are now installing a good quality Bosh alternator which was about $330. The battery was replaced last year. I had them check the pigtail connector to the alternator as other post I had read had found that the inside of the pigtail had serious corrosion in it that can create high resistance and poor grounding connection with the alternator and end up causing diodes inside the alternator to fail and burn up your battery. The diodes are responsible for converting the current from A/C to D/C and there are six of them in sets of two. He said the diodes are the most common thing to fail inside the altrnator and casing huge fluctuations in the current to the battery and the car wiring. We are picking up the car tomorrow and I will post back how everything goes over the weekend since this is a company vehicle we use a lot. It has 80,000 miles on it. So, this is alternator 4 in a year but the first highend one so we will see if that makes a difference plus it will now be under NAPA warranty if it fails.

#418 of 486 Re: gauges [corbryant] by steveinarizona

Sep 02, 2011 (8:36 am)

Replying to: corbryant (Mar 15, 2011 3:31 pm)
Is it still working fine today? Have similar problems with our 2005 model.

#419 of 486 Re: headlights and starting issues [steveinarizona] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 02, 2011 (9:12 am)

Replying to: steveinarizona (Sep 02, 2011 8:18 am)
NAPA does have a point about the quality of chain-store rebuilds. Alternators are rebuilt from random reconditioned parts. They don't rebuild each one using all its original parts. So if the process is rushed or they cut corners, quality control goes downhill fast.

#420 of 486 Re: headlights and starting issues [achoward] by oldfordmech

Sep 02, 2011 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: achoward (Sep 02, 2011 8:14 am)
? Is eng hard to start when eng is warm, Does it always turn over ok but will not fire ? You May Have an ign sw going bad causing both problems.
I need more info.
Cliff

#421 of 486 Re: Tail light assembly keeps melting--Is there a recall anyone knows of? [therays4] by hault

Sep 02, 2011 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: therays4 (Sep 01, 2011 9:58 pm)
I have a 2004 Malibu and a 2005 Freestyle with the overheating bulbs. My solution was switch to led bulb. It flashes faster, but it eliminates the meltdowns.

#422 of 486 Re: Tail light assembly keeps melting--Is there a recall anyone knows of? [therays4] by oldfordmech

Sep 02, 2011 (3:02 pm)

Replying to: therays4 (Sep 01, 2011 9:58 pm)
There are after-market light suppliers such as Keystone lighting and you may also NAPA for these assys. Good luck.
Cliff

#423 of 486 Re: Tail light assembly keeps melting--Is there a recall anyone knows of? [hault] by therays4

Sep 03, 2011 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: hault (Sep 02, 2011 1:52 pm)
Thank you! I'll try the LED bulb this time with the new assembly. I appreciate the help!!

#424 of 486 Re: headlights and starting issues [oldfordmech] by achoward

Sep 04, 2011 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: oldfordmech (Sep 02, 2011 12:21 pm)
Im thinking its the ignition switch as well. It always turns over but doesnt fire, cold or warm and it happens about 90% of the time and light issues are about 95%. Im changing the spark plugs and fuel filter today and will see if that helps it start. if i turn the ignition on and off without starting the car i can eventually get lights back. the odd thing is i have no other electrical or dash issues. jsut lights and starting. im also going to check the light wires witha multimeter to see if theres power going to them when they dont work to know if its a connector issue or a break or fuse.
 
**just a tip for all focus drivers who think 300 kms per tank is ridiculous. the permanent air filter on the car is NOT a permanent filter. i switched mine out for a cold air intake which cost me $30 and fits right on the old pipe where the old airbox was. No modifications necessary all sensors stay where they are and i now get 600 kms per tank and have better response. **

#425 of 486 Re: headlights and starting issues [achoward] by oldfordmech

Sep 04, 2011 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: achoward (Sep 04, 2011 1:25 pm)
You can try this, remove the plug wires and insert a phillips screw driver in each plug wtre, and hold shaft of phillips about 3/8 " from ground and have a friend crank over eng and watch spark . If no spark, check crank-posistion sensor. should be mounted at 10 or 2 oclock pos. above front crank pully. these have been known to go bad at times .
Cliff

#426 of 486 Re: headlights and starting issues [oldfordmech] by achoward

Sep 12, 2011 (8:41 am)

Replying to: oldfordmech (Sep 04, 2011 7:59 pm)
Hi,
 
Well problem with the lights is fixed. It turned out to be a severely corroded relay. And i replaced the spark plugs yesterday and its runnning way better. Just wondering tho, Does anyone elses spark plugs read that the engine is running hot? All four plugs were completely white. I put in new ones and made sure their gapped correctly. And so far no hesitation, or surging and the car feels looser.
 
Next question, Im replacing the fuel filter this week and just wondering if anyone knows which fuses i should pull as theres like 5 that are assigned to fuel.
 
Thanks for the help!

Messages Page 43 of 49

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