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Comments
Following my last message, regarding the lights, I've noticed that they also flicker both on the dash and outside when I brake at low speed, and when the revs drop and the engine goes to idle. Could it be anything to do with the alternator? Also The switch to the power window is still drawing a lot of current. Could the window motor have stalled?
Several people have suggested an earth, but I've only been able to access a few, which showed some corrosion.Cleaning them made no difference. Does anyone have any ideas about which earth to check, and where it is? Could it be the alternator output? The ECU?
I've decide to pay a car electrician to come and have a look (£40 call out, which includes first hour).
Reading and earlier thread, I noticed this:
Under the 'Limitation Act' of 1980 you have up to 6 years to claim for manufacturing defect.Send a letter to :
Executive Department
Ford Motor Co.
Eagle Way
Warley
Brentwood
Essex
CM13 3BY
Has anyone had any success with this? Unfortunately I bought the car second hand from a garage, and as luck would have it, the warranty has expired. Does anyone know if there is a way to try and get them to cover the cost (I can hear the laughter as I suggest this!)?
aaaaargh!
I am having problems with my 03 SVT. Something keeps draining my battery on occasion and it is not any aftermarket parts. If I pull R24 - Battery Saver Relay it seems to kill the drain or if I pull fuse 36 - A/C switch / Hazard flasher / Instrument Cluster it kills the drainage as well. But if I keep it unplugged I have no guage information.
It is very sporatic so it is hard to determine what exactly is causing the problem.
Whatever it will stick and in about 14 hrs time (no driving) the battery will be dead (after work/morning)
What do you suggest?
THANKS!
But try just opening a door on the new focus. The handle is hinged on plast and everyone I checked out also wiggled loosely when opening the door. The old focuses dont do that they are solid. Seems ford is giving up a little accessory quality in the new design. Still..I love driving my zx3, when its not in the shop.
db
Toyota/Lexus sold 197,592. That is a difference of 2%.
Yet if you read the BS put out by the automotive press, Ford is a day away from going out of business and Toyota is a day away from ruling the world.
The victor is the current automotive market is the consumer. Not since before the great depression did one have so may different automotive purchase options.
Don't worry too much about Ford. At least until Toyota figures out how to make a tru F series beater. As good as the Tundra may be, an F series beater it is not.
Mark.
I would appreciate any advice how to fix my problem. I have Ford Focus SE 2000 (no fog lights). A couple of days ago the parking lamps and instrument cluster lighting went out suddenly when I pressed remote luggage compartment release button. Side lights (left, right), brake lamps, back-up lamps, and hazard flasher are working fine. When I press brake pedal, the instrument cluster lights up normally.
First, I changed brake lamps because I thought they burned down. It happened before. Then I checked fuses - they looked fine. Then I replaced headlight switch, but it didn't help. I bought a used one. Maybe I need to get a new switch.
Thank you for your recommendations,
Dmitri
Thank you!
The metal tag on the door with the vehicle info has no tire specs on it (???). Can anyone tell me where I might find those specs? The manual just says look on the door!! The Ford web site was useless.
Thanks,
Rick
mlgard
Do you know what they repaired and charged you $75 for? What was the recall for and what was the solution.
I've checked th fuses as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Happy Holidays,
Steve
You can call the Ford parts Dept and give them the last 8 digits of your vin # and ask them for 4 rims and ask them the size, 14 or 15. When they tell you hang up and buy them somewhere else. Good luck
Recall Number: 00V411000
Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DECKLID WIRE HARNESS CAN FATIGUE AND DEVELOP BROKEN WIRES IN THE BEND AREA OF THE WIRE HARNESS.
Consequence:
THIS COULD RESULT IN EITHER A LOSS OF INDIVIDUAL LAMP FUNCTIONS, OR IN THE CASE OF A SHORT OF THE BROKEN WIRES THAT CAUSES A FUSE TO OPEN, IN THE LOSS OF STOP LAMP OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION. LOSS OF STOP LAMP OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DECKLID WIRE HARNESS.
Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Happy New Year.
Matt
As far as your battery going dead, as long as the alternator is charging, and the battery still goes dead like over night, you have what is called a "parisitic draw". This is something draining power off your battery when the key is off.
You didn't specify if you have electric windows or not. This draining of the battery or parisitic draw might be related to your cigerette lighter not working. It really needs to be check out by a technician that knows how to trace a parisitic draw.
As for feeling sick a few times while driving. If carbon monoxide is leaking into the passenger compartment from the exuast, yes it will make you feel sick. It can cause you to pass out and even result in death. The fact that you stated the rear window is stuck down, even if you did have an exhuast leak getting into the passenger compartment, it would most likely vent out and you wouldn't notice it. However, if exhuast fumes are venting near your air intake vent for the passenger compartment, the draft from the open window may be pulling the fumes right past you. Some of the symtoms of being exposed to exhaust fumes are; feeling sick, sleepy, shortness of breath, head aches, and your arms may feel heavy. Everyone reacts differently depending on the type of exposure.
Any electrical problems are very unlikely to be related to you feeling sick while driving. If it is, it would be a first I have ever heard of it. Hope this was helpful. Good luck.
NOW - Huge electrical problem has been building up for 3 years. Brake lights, tail lights, rear hatch release, dashboard lights, rear defroster, rear wiper, can't remember what else, all confused or not working or causing a short. If I had electric windows, I guess they would not be working either. Right now the dealer is replacing the wiring harness. Another $500 down the drain. This is the first and last Ford I will ever buy.
Before changing wheels and tires, I hit a rather hard bump with my 2000 Focus wagon and suddenly lost most of the dash lights. I still have the odometer and the warning lamps, but can't see the speedometer, gas gauge temperature etc. Also, the gear shift lamp is now out. I noticed one of the fuses is labelled "Electronic modules, instrment cluster" but that fuse appears to be ok. Does anyone have any idea what may have broken or came loose when I hit the bump? The owners manual just says to take the car to the dealer when the instrument lamps need changing.
Thanks,
Rick
Thanks
Ravenman
Last week when our temps dropped to below zero, it started right up but after going about a mile: the lights dimmed, the CD & odo shut off etc. I got off the road & shut down everything electrical & gently gassed it for just a few seconds and everything came right back up. Expecting that the alternator was shot, we took it to our mechanic (again, started & ran fine after the frigid night incident) - he replaced the alternator (twice) and determined that it was not the problem. He thinks he traced it back to the PCM either not giving or getting good codes from the charging system...
Before I try to take the dealer to task on an "as is" purchase (if even possible) I have to wonder if it's worth it. The car has been fine ever since with the exception of the battery light coming on as soon as the idle drops from it's start up speed to "normal' idle. After reading the volumes of problems people are having, I feel lucky and worry that if we let Ford start messing with it, we're gong to be in the same boat.....but the mechanic tells me the PCM is something only they can do.
Has anyone had their PCM replaced and/or reprogrammed? How much did it cost? Did it solve your problem? Did you experience any new ones afterwards?
Any input is appreciated, I dont think I'll have a leg to stand on past 30 days after purchasing (if I even do at this point!) so I'm going to have to make a decision soon!
Thanks!
:confuse:
Then put batter cable back on and start. At very minimum your computer will be reset and if the problem re-occurs, you will know it is not a matter of rebooting the computer to solve the problem.
I have used this method with warning lights, and even when my care would not start and was about to be towed. REmoved the cable, reset computer, and good to go. If its a real problem the light or symptom will reappear. In many cases with the ford focus its just a hickup with the computer, in my experience.
hope this helps.
Wouldn't our mechanic have disconnected the battery to change the alternator? Im no expert but the clock and radio settings had to be reset after we got it back so he may have already tried that himself.
The temps have dropped again here in the Windy City so maybe the car will make my decision for me. But if it continues to start & run as well as it has been without trouble, I'll try your suggestion (on a warmer day!) & take my chances until something else happens.
Maybe Im being superstitious but Ford doesn't seem to really know (or care) whats wrong with these cars and Im afraid that having them mess with it may only cause us new problems.
I hope this helps you.
All the best
XxX :P
Then, if the light comes back on or never goes off, it is probably legitimate issue.
This also worked for me on many no start situations where the computer just needed to be reset
Where exactly is the ignition relay? Under the dash near the fuses? Or under the hood?
Thanks
I'll fly anywhere in the continental U.S. and pick up this excellent vehicle without a moments hesitation in driving it anywhere.