Focus starting problem

peter212693 · 13 Mar 2007 at 22:54

Hi all,

I have a 1.8 2003 Focus MP3 with 37k on the clock. Now sometimes i will have problems starting. Now it will turn over fast but not catch. Then I stop leave it a few seconds and it will start 2nd or 3rd time. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thinking maybe battery but on the little light on the actual battery it still seems green.

It seems to do it randomly, might not do it at all some days then 3 days later do it twice in a day :confused:

moss · 13 Mar 2007 at 22:58

Sounds like your starter motor is on its way out.

peter212693 · 13 Mar 2007 at 23:06

moss said:
Sounds like your starter motor is on its way out.

Great

Would this not slow the "ticking over" down tho?

laissez-faire · 13 Mar 2007 at 23:10

If it is turning fast then it shouldn't be battery or starter motor, it must be something to do with the ignition system. In a diesel that would be a symptom of glow plug problems but I am not sure about petrols having never owned one!

moss · 13 Mar 2007 at 23:14

laissez-faire said:
If it is turning fast then it shouldn't be battery or starter motor

The way I took it was the starter wasnt trying to engage but not actually engaging properly?

Does the car actually turn over or just make a noise as the starter trys to engage?

peter212693 · 13 Mar 2007 at 23:16

moss said:
The way I took it was the starter wasnt trying to engage but not actually engaging properly?

Does the car actually turn over or just make a noise as the starter trys to engage?

Not very good with this lol :rolleyes:

It makes the clicking sound like the engine is not trying to start.

had the battery checked not so long ago and that was fine, not problems

OK try this way:

Normal start = click, click, click START

None start= click, click, click, click, click, click, click, turn off
Clutch in
= click, click, click, click, click, START (then need to foot on gas to stop stalling then its fine)

laissez-faire · 13 Mar 2007 at 23:48

peter212693 said:
Not very good with this lol It makes the clicking sound like the engine is not trying to start.

had the battery checked not so long ago and that was fine, not problems

OK try this way:

Normal start = click, click, click START

None start= click, click, click, click, click, click, click, turn off
Clutch in
= click, click, click, click, click, START (then need to foot on gas to stop stalling then its fine)

seriously click click? lol what cars click? Do you mean like a gas hob click (i.e. ignition) or does the engine actually turn 'wur wur wur' ?

OpenToSuggestions · 14 Mar 2007 at 00:46

check the elcteic ignition. could be no spark being sent to the plugs

Overlag · 14 Mar 2007 at 01:46

moss said:
Sounds like your starter motor is on its way out.

yeah from what the OP said it sounds just like what happend to my mums Primera... Starter motor was on way out.... sounded like it was spinning faster that what it should etc.

1ofaKind · 14 Mar 2007 at 09:24

Well my dads focus had a similar issue and it was the battery. Got in one morning drove to work fine. Drove home at lunch fine. Got in again click click click click click click - nothing. (the clicking is just a loud solenoid sounding click can be quite quick and sounds very odd I have to say).

RAC came out and basically said battery = knackered. Replaced jobs a good un.

moss · 14 Mar 2007 at 19:42

1ofaKind said:
Well my dads focus had a similar issue and it was the battery. Got in one morning drove to work fine. Drove home at lunch fine. Got in again click click click click click click - nothing. (the clicking is just a loud solenoid sounding click can be quite quick and sounds very odd I have to say).

RAC came out and basically said battery = knackered. Replaced jobs a good un.

Yes, it could be the battery too, which will be cheaper than a starter. Get it tested if you can, any motorfactors should do it for free, although getting it there might be a pain.