2003 Focus 1.6 not starting

Adam · 3 Sep 2014 at 18:58

My focus is refusing to start, I thought it would be a simple issue and replaced the battery as it looked pretty old but that didn't fix the issue.

When I turn the key, the battery light comes on. When I start the ignition it seems to turn over but doesn't start.

I'm pretty sure that leaves the alternator or starting motor, but is there any definitive ways of telling which one it could be. I gave the starter motor a few short sharp hits but it still didn't start.

You don't realise how much you need the car until it's not working.

Edit: I also connected an OBD and it didn't report any faults.

rodenal · 3 Sep 2014 at 19:03

If the car is turning over its likely to be neither the starter motor or alternator

When you say turning over....do you really mean turning over or is it making a half baked attempt? If so have you tried bump starting it?

If its turning then you likely have either a fuel or spark issue

Adam · 3 Sep 2014 at 19:11

Yeah it's turning over ok, just won't kick it to life! I tried on my own to bump start it down the drive but I couldn't get fast enough to make the engine start.

Mrs has got annoyed and called the RAC out so I'll see what they have to say. Thanks for your suggestions, the fuel pump looks like a nasty job.

MORE SPEED · 3 Sep 2014 at 20:01

Adam said:
Yeah it's turning over ok, just won't kick it to life! I tried on my own to bump start it down the drive but I couldn't get fast enough to make the engine start.

Mrs has got annoyed and called the RAC out so I'll see what they have to say. Thanks for your suggestions, the fuel pump looks like a nasty job.

Can you hear the fuel pump whirring when turning the ignition on?

If yes, it's going to be electrical. I had something really stupid at the weekend, where a plug in the engine's fuse box was unclipped, causing it not to start

Adam · 3 Sep 2014 at 20:28

So the RAC guy had it up and running in seconds, the fuel pump fuse had gone. He seems to think they are a weak point around 100k miles. This was the first sign something was wrong.

He replaced the fuse and it started straight away, I have a couple spare just incase.

The car hasn't been serviced for a year or so, could a blocked/worn fuel filter cause issues?

thepharcyde · 3 Sep 2014 at 20:45

rodenal said:
If the car is turning over its likely to be neither the starter motor or alternator

When you say turning over....do you really mean turning over or is it making a half baked attempt? If so have you tried bump starting it?

If its turning then you likely have either a fuel or spark issue

It's fixed now so all the one, but surely the job of the alternator is to charge the battery, however if it's a new battery it would initially work until the battery was rendered flat due to the alternator not working?

Dogbreath · 3 Sep 2014 at 21:10

Adam said:
So the RAC guy had it up and running in seconds, the fuel pump fuse had gone. He seems to think they are a weak point around 100k miles. This was the first sign something was wrong.

He replaced the fuse and it started straight away, I have a couple spare just incase.

The car hasn't been serviced for a year or so, could a blocked/worn fuel filter cause issues?

A partially blocked filter can cause problems, though refusing to start is less likely to be one of them.

Failing fuel pumps are a fairly common issue on Ford of this era. They tend to start blowing fuses with increasing regularity as they die, so if yours does blow another fuse, it'll probably need a new fuel pump.

rodenal · 3 Sep 2014 at 22:14

thepharcyde said:
It's fixed now so all the one, but surely the job of the alternator is to charge the battery, however if it's a new battery it would initially work until the battery was rendered flat due to the alternator not working?

Correct - but think about it, if the new battery was in and used for a day but alternator wasn't charging the car wouldn't be able to turn over very well, just like it had a dud battery. Plus the dash would be lit up like a Christmas tree when driving.

That's why if it was turning over fine there was no alternator or starter issues preventing it from starting. Pretty much the only things that need to happen when its turning over for it to start are for fuel, spark and air to be present

Glad its running now anyway, but as above keep an eye on the pump and fuel filter

Janesy B · 3 Sep 2014 at 22:15

Yeah this happened with my father's Focus, it blew a fuse, then another... then the pump died. Utter git of a job because the pump is at the top of the tank and there's no access panel.

AtreuS · 3 Sep 2014 at 22:36

Same happened to my 2001 mk1. If the fuse keeps going get the fuel pump replaced. Should be about a £200 job from an indi.

If you google you can do a bodge job yourself if you cut in from the under the back seats. I decided to get it done properly by dropping the fuel tank.

Adam · 4 Sep 2014 at 08:33

I may go down the bodge route, it's a 10 year old focus so not sure how much life it has in it anyway. I think it might explode when it hits 100k miles anyway.

AtreuS · 4 Sep 2014 at 11:17

Adam said:
I may go down the bodge route, it's a 10 year old focus so not sure how much life it has in it anyway. I think it might explode when it hits 100k miles anyway.

Oh i dunno mine is on 125k now and purrs like a kitten.

Of course things like clutches and timing belts and pumps and bearings and brakes/suspension need attention so its all about how much you can do yourself or cheaply i guess.

Akagi · 4 Sep 2014 at 11:42

Adam said:
I may go down the bodge route, it's a 10 year old focus so not sure how much life it has in it anyway. I think it might explode when it hits 100k miles anyway.

Probably lots of life, 10 years is nothing for a car, neither is 100K miles for a mass produced Ford engine.

Adam · 4 Sep 2014 at 12:53

It was a joke

Prior to the issues you would never known it was on 95k miles.

The mrs has panicked as she uses the car for work so looks like we are going for a cheap Fiesta Zetec S lease. Pretty cheap motoring for the next 2 years (under £4k total cost).

Akagi · 4 Sep 2014 at 12:56

£4K for 2 years isn't £4K forever though. I assume you have to give it back or pay a lump sum to keep it?

Zetec S Fiestas look smart though.

Adam · 4 Sep 2014 at 13:12

Acme said:
£4K for 2 years isn't £4K forever though. I assume you have to give it back or pay a lump sum to keep it?

Zetec S Fiestas look smart though.

Nope, it's a pure lease. I'll hand it back after 2 years. I can't find anything better around this price and it will keep her happy. I'd rather spend cash on the house than tying it up on a car even though I'm not normally one for these types of deals.

Amos91 · 4 Sep 2014 at 13:59

So £4k for 'cheap motoring' instead of a £200 fuel pump? That's an obvious leap...

Some very serious stuff would have to happen to cost £2k per year on the Focus!

Adam · 4 Sep 2014 at 14:09

I need a 2nd car anyway, makes sense to do it this way and have the Focus for the rare opportunities when we both need a car.

Akagi · 4 Sep 2014 at 14:13

But then in 2 years time you will be back to a single car and will be £4K down. You can get a VERY decent used car for £4K, which should last you 2 years without causing any trouble if you choose well, and at the end of it you still have 2 cars.

Adam · 4 Sep 2014 at 14:33

Acme said:
But then in 2 years time you will be back to a single car and will be £4K down. You can get a VERY decent used car for £4K, which should last you 2 years without causing any trouble if you choose well, and at the end of it you still have 2 cars.

True, I have ran the numbers and I'd rather have that £4k in the bank to spend on my new house. Paying monthly suits me and my partner will like a new car.

We'll see, not signed up yet.