Hesitating/stalling/jerking HELP!

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Ella McCrystle - 28 Jul 2005 14:02 GMT

Yes, it's a 2000 Focus LE with 59K miles and a FULL "CarFax" report showing
no problems.

Bought a month ago from a used dealer after a test drive. I'm a moron; so I
took two people who "know" cars along to help make the purchase. They
weren't as smart as I thought. Needed a car IMMEDIATELY (that day) so we
made a quick purchase.

The CarFax showed no problems and the service done. However, it also didn't
say whether the car was taken in for the 10 or more recalls. Anyone know if
a CarFax report shows recalls done?

Within a day of buying the thing, it started jerking when I put my foot on
the gas. I stopped the AC and all was fine for another 3 weeks.

In the past week (it's now been a month) the car has gotten increasingly bad
with the hesitating/jerking etc. I've read millions of opinions and recounts
on the web about this very problem, but nobody seems to have ONE answer.
Everyone seems to have had continual problems with EVERYTHING being replaced
and still have the problem.

I CANNOT afford to replace everything, which is what some Ford Dealers seem
to think is the answer.

Does anyone have a "REAL" fix for his problem???

I'm about to call a *different* dealer than the jerk I bought it from (who
is obnoxious about my 1000miles/30 days warrantee and has *verbally* changed
it three times) and ask for some help, but I'd like to know going in.

Is it:

**Just shocks (she prays)?
**Fuel injection?
**Fuel pump?
**Entire Fuel Module (I know there was a 2003 recall, and I don't know if it
was done.)

Any help appreciated! Thanks!!!

Be well -- Ella

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marvin.dunn - 28 Jul 2005 14:33 GMT

> Yes, it's a 2000 Focus LE with 59K miles and a FULL "CarFax" report showing
> no problems.
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> Be well -- Ella

The fuel pump is a likely culprit. Ford will replace the original fuel pump
at no cost under a recall. Just had it done last week in my 01 ZTS.

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Dave Gower - 28 Jul 2005 15:49 GMT

"Ella McCrystle" <wormgirl@joimail.com> wrote

> Does anyone have a "REAL" fix for his problem???

The first thing is to take a deep breath and relax. The second is to take it
to a competent dealer and have an adult discussion with them. There is an
established diagnostic protocol for these things, and it cannot be pursued
over a newsgroup, they must have the car in front of them. If (as seems
likely) it's the fuel pump, that was not subject to a recall and therefore
hasn't necessarily been replaced, but it is covered by a warrantee extension
and therefore may be paid for by Ford. Any competent technician can
determine if it's the problem.

BTW don't blame your friends. All they could do is respond to their
experience. If two weeks later things change, that's the way machinery goes.

Reply to this Message

Ella McCrystle - 28 Jul 2005 20:15 GMT

Thank you both!

I don't really blame my friends. I blame my being a moron and in a rush to
buy a car -- in cash without doing my homework.

My previous car was an Escort, so I have a long-standing relationship with a
reputable dealer service dept, and they checked the "not really a recall,
but for free" fuel pump extension. It's being done (as well as another
recall that I'm not having problems with, but why not?) on Tuesday.

I am much more calm now. I think my overload was that I couldn't get the
thing to drive almost at all yesterday. Today it ran pretty well for the 10
miles I drove it.

If it's not fixed by the fuel pump recall, we will move on to the next
thing.

BTW -- found out that "CarFax" doesn't list recalls or recalls DONE, however
all FORD dealers are able to look up the car from the VIN. Wahoo -- this is
how I found out that I still had these two open recalls. (Though Ford isn't
calling the fuel pump a "recall") Whatever they call it, I'm MUCH happier to
know that this will be fixed by MY Ford guys and not the meanies from whom I
bought it.

Thanks so much -- Ella

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camroy@webtv.net - 05 Aug 2005 22:44 GMT

I have had the jerking problems several times with my 2001 focus.

The fuel pump went out and was replaced one time.

The next jerking problem turned out that a rodent somehow stored a group
of nuts by the air cleaner. I don't know how that could happen but ran
good after they got cleaned out.

Another time Marathon gas company got in trouble for putting stuff in
their gas and after a few tanks of gas got it out.

Now I have the fourth time my car is jerking around at certain speeds.
Not sure yet whats causing it.

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