2002 Ford Focus....HELP...

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Laurie - 02 Jul 2005 03:38 GMT

I bought my Focus a year ago with 130,000 kms. It is 5 spd, and BASIC
model.
The problem started just after we got it and I have gotten so many
different opinions I am stuck.

After I drive for about 25 minutes or so, IF I stop (leaving the car
on) and then attempt to go again. It shudders as if the rpm’s are not
high enough and has even stalled out. None of my indicators come
on...my temperature shows as normal. It just boggs out.

For example. Last week I was coming through Toronto on the 401 doing
about 120kms, when we hit a traffic jam. We rolled for about 45
minutes stopping and going but never breaking 2nd gear. Finally the
jam breaks up and I am in the fast lane. Put it in 1st gear, foot to
the floor and NOTHING. No rev, No anything. Stalled out completely. It
wouldn’t turn over although it sounded like it was trying. I sat for
not even 5 minutes, started the car and got going fine for about 20
minutes till another jam.. same thing - bogged out - no accelleration
or rev. - Ended up receiving an OPP escort off the 401.....Let the car
sit in the shade for about 1/2 hour and it was fine. But again - my
thermostat appeared normal, I hear my fan come on, and no indicators.
But if I am going and I don’t stop there is no problem... I drove 2
hours straight at 120kms, no issues.
It has even done it when I have driven about 30kms, stopped long
enough to drop someone off, and shuddered the whole way back (30kms)
to the point I nearly stalled out, but managed to "play" with the
clutch enough to keep it going.

At first my husband blamed me as I was just learning to drive stick,
but I knew it wasn’t me, then we went to PREMIUM gas (LOL can’t afford
that now), I have changed my O2 sensors - as per a diagnostic, but I
don’t know where to start now? It gets regular oil changes... any
suggestions?

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Henri - 02 Jul 2005 05:34 GMT

I bet the car also stalls or you loose power when you take a tight curve to
the right?
The car has all the symptoms of a bad fuel pump. If your Focus is a 2000 or
2001 model It should be covered under the special 10 year warranty offered
by Ford. You need to take it to a dealer.

I bought my Focus a year ago with 130,000 kms. It is 5 spd, and BASIC
model.
The problem started just after we got it and I have gotten so many
different opinions I am stuck.

After I drive for about 25 minutes or so, IF I stop (leaving the car
on) and then attempt to go again. It shudders as if the rpm's are not
high enough and has even stalled out. None of my indicators come
on...my temperature shows as normal. It just boggs out.

For example. Last week I was coming through Toronto on the 401 doing
about 120kms, when we hit a traffic jam. We rolled for about 45
minutes stopping and going but never breaking 2nd gear. Finally the
jam breaks up and I am in the fast lane. Put it in 1st gear, foot to
the floor and NOTHING. No rev, No anything. Stalled out completely. It
wouldn't turn over although it sounded like it was trying. I sat for
not even 5 minutes, started the car and got going fine for about 20
minutes till another jam.. same thing - bogged out - no accelleration
or rev. - Ended up receiving an OPP escort off the 401.....Let the car
sit in the shade for about 1/2 hour and it was fine. But again - my
thermostat appeared normal, I hear my fan come on, and no indicators.
But if I am going and I don't stop there is no problem... I drove 2
hours straight at 120kms, no issues.
It has even done it when I have driven about 30kms, stopped long
enough to drop someone off, and shuddered the whole way back (30kms)
to the point I nearly stalled out, but managed to "play" with the
clutch enough to keep it going.

At first my husband blamed me as I was just learning to drive stick,
but I knew it wasn't me, then we went to PREMIUM gas (LOL can't afford
that now), I have changed my O2 sensors - as per a diagnostic, but I
don't know where to start now? It gets regular oil changes... any
suggestions?

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TheSurgeon - 02 Jul 2005 11:13 GMT

This can be due to a malfunctioning ignition coil assembly. This is one of
the weakest points of Focus. If this is the case, the coil must be replaced.

>I bought my Focus a year ago with 130,000 kms. It is 5 spd, and BASIC
> model.
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> don't know where to start now? It gets regular oil changes... any
> suggestions?

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Dave Gower - 02 Jul 2005 14:35 GMT

> This can be due to a malfunctioning ignition coil assembly. This is one of
> the weakest points of Focus. If this is the case, the coil must be
> replaced.

That's the first I've heard that the coil pack is a weak point of the Focus
in general, but I do agree that in this case it is a more likely cause than
the fuel pump. The pump is more likely to cause hesitation on acceleration
rather than after slow driving. In addition, the pump is in the gas tank and
so somewhat insulated from heat. I'd also suspect the crankcase position
sensor and computer connections.

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TheSurgeon - 02 Jul 2005 21:30 GMT

What I said is especially for the European models of Foci. There are many
friends with defective coils replaced.
The only fault of the engine management system which doesn't light up the
"Check Motor" warning light on the dashboard is the ignition coil problem.

>> This can be due to a malfunctioning ignition coil assembly. This is one
>> of the weakest points of Focus. If this is the case, the coil must be
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> the gas tank and so somewhat insulated from heat. I'd also suspect the
> crankcase position sensor and computer connections.

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Tim.. - 03 Jul 2005 12:13 GMT

> What I said is especially for the European models of Foci. There are many
> friends with defective coils replaced.
> The only fault of the engine management system which doesn't light up the
> "Check Motor" warning light on the dashboard is the ignition coil problem.

Correct, but in most cases a faulty coil pack leaks HT to earth usually down
the LT wiring back to the ECU. Inwhich case you'll experience the dash
clocks jumping about the place and severe misfiring / cutting out as the ECU
repeatedly shuts down and re-starts to protect itself from the stray HT.

Tim..

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Dave Gower - 03 Jul 2005 12:52 GMT

> Correct, but in most cases a faulty coil pack leaks HT to earth usually
> down
> the LT wiring back to the ECU. Inwhich case you'll experience the dash
> clocks jumping about the place and severe misfiring / cutting out as the
> ECU
> repeatedly shuts down and re-starts to protect itself from the stray HT.

Yikes.What happened to the good old days when a bad coil simply caused a
weak spark?

Anyway, she's Canadian, and a lot of our automotive electrical problems are
climate-related i.e. salt corrosion, cold-temperature stress, moisture
build-up etc. My Focus hasn't been bad that way for a European-designed car,
but I get it undercoated every year.

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cat lover - 04 Jul 2005 16:46 GMT

>> Correct, but in most cases a faulty coil pack leaks HT to earth usually
>> down
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> build-up etc. My Focus hasn't been bad that way for a European-designed
> car, but I get it undercoated every year.

I had a similar problem, mine was the rocker cover was loose and oil was
getting in the spark plugs, this caused misfiring and hesitation on
increasing speed.

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Laurie - 04 Jul 2005 20:37 GMT

"" wrote:

> > Correct, but in most cases a faulty coil pack leaks HT to
> earth usually
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> European-designed car,
> but I get it undercoated every year.

I AM CANADIAN - Thank you

I have realized there is another symptom.... I dunno if its related
but....

When my gas tank reads 1/4 tank - apparently this is empty.
ONCE the car went beyond that to the fuel light indicator, but that
happened when I first got it and has never happened again.

And these things ONLY happen when the car has been running - If it has
been sitting there is no problem.
Last night my brother in law rove it - HE DRIVES IT - as he says -
Like standard was meant to be driven - and he said he got very little
power - but to the passenger it feels like he is just learning to
drive stick.

I dunno - where would be the best place to start looking for a
solution. What parts would be best to replace first - and can I do
this myself? Ie spark plugs, gas filter,

In his words - Take it to the field and shoot it.

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Dave Gower - 05 Jul 2005 04:13 GMT

> I dunno - where would be the best place to start looking for a
> solution. What parts would be best to replace first - and can I do
> this myself? Ie spark plugs, gas filter,
>
> In his words - Take it to the field and shoot it.

At 130,000km, if it has not had a fairly recent full tune-up (plugs, wires,
filters, cleaning the intake system etc) it is probably going to run very
poorly. You say you bought it a year ago. Did it come with a record of
service? It's possible that the first owner just drove the poor little thing
until it got sick, then sold it.

The symptoms you describe are indicative of a specific problem, but you need
to do the basics before anything else. As for how much you can do yourself,
that depends on your skill level, but things like the fuel filter are
tricky - remember it's a pressurised system. Although I've done a lot of
repair and service work over the decades, I've left this up to my dealer.

If you want to try stuff on your own, start with a service manual.

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Henri - 05 Jul 2005 20:17 GMT

From everything you say it has all the indications of a bad fuel pump or a
bad catalytic converter. both items might be covered under warranty by Ford.

If its a 2000-2001 model take it to a dealer and ask them to check if it is
under recall for a new fuel pump, if it is, have them do it - Ford pays the
tab. If the car still stalls out you have eliminated that part. With 130 KM
on the car the car 'might' still be covered under the emissions warranty if
its a bad cat.

".I have realized there is another symptom.... I dunno if its related
but....

When my gas tank reads 1/4 tank - apparently this is empty.
ONCE the car went beyond that to the fuel light indicator, but that
happened when I first got it and has never happened again.

And these things ONLY happen when the car has been running - If it has
been sitting there is no problem.
Last night my brother in law rove it - HE DRIVES IT - as he says -
Like standard was meant to be driven - and he said he got very little
power - but to the passenger it feels like he is just learning to
drive stick.

I dunno - where would be the best place to start looking for a
solution. What parts would be best to replace first - and can I do
this myself? Ie spark plugs, gas filter,

In his words - Take it to the field and shoot it.

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joes1girl - 07 Jul 2005 18:31 GMT

I don't know much about cars, but I have read about a safety improvement
recall on the fuel pumps that sound very much like what you are
describing. You can go on the following site to read up on it.
http://www.autosite.com/content/own/service/index.cfm/action/recalls?CPCID=22041
-13-7264-0-1927-60-0-0&id=22041
If this is the problem, then YOU need to be the one to tell the dealership
that you want this changed out. They will not volunteer to fix it since it
is not considered part of the safety act. You will also need to print the
documentation showing the recall number because Ford will not show it at a
"recall."

Hope that helps!

v/r
Elizabeth

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