Ford Focus Mk1 1.4 Zetec 16V Not Starting, Turns Over Fine - Please Read Any Help Appriciated

[pioneersa9800]

Hello everyone, im new to the forum and need some help ASAP with my old mk1.o

had the car for about 4 months all ok, but now cant get her to start.

last week i had the same problem, noticed that the fuel pump would not engage, relay clicks as normal, battery was removed and checked with a 95% performance check.

checked the fuel cut off switch, it was fine - check for obvious things in the bonnet nothing seemed to be not normal.

Next day i checked her out and the fuel pump started but would not start due to a dying battery, jump started her and she ran a whole week no problem.

2 days ago took out out on the school run she was fine, got home came back out within 30 mins then it started giving me the same problems.

im not very minded with cars but im good with my hands and im also some what technicly minded.

please - any help welcome, got my first baby coming in january and have to get aorund its hell at the moment.

many thanks for reading anywya

p.s i have the exact same problem as seen in this YT vid take a look:

[jeebowhite]

When was the car last serviced, and when was the fuel filter last changed? do you buy premium fuel or supermarket fuel?

[pioneersa9800]

not sure on its last service, i buy supermarket fuel mainly, but sometimes use garage fuel.

i have no idea when the fuel filter was changed, sorry for the lack of information.

[jeebowhite]

Thats the best place to start. I expect you have either a dirty or damaged filter. Given you dont know the service history, a change of fuel filter is nothing but a good thing! and it could be enough to stop your car from being towed off for expensive diagnostics. If your handy with a spanner, you should be able to do it, otherwise, if you have a friend with a garage, or know a good local indie garage, get it into them and let them do the honours. its a small part but can be a pain in the backside!

[pioneersa9800]

hi, sounds good - does it sounds like this might be the or part of the problem!

many thanks

[jeebowhite]

certainly from what I can see and gather so far, it probably wont be doing it any favours.

I cant hear any fuel being pumped through, but didnt catch which two lights where lit on your dashboard?

[pioneersa9800]

sometimes when i turn the key all teh dials jump to one side then return to default, a few attemps and this will stop happening.

the petrol gauge moves as normal.

i get 3 lights, the yellow engine light, the battery and oil lights come up too thats all i can say so far.

[pioneersa9800]

does this mean anything by the lights ?

[jeebowhite]

It means the battery is possible on its way out! but I didn't see that on the dashboard on the video, however the battery still keeps trying to kick out some juice, normally after a few goes it would have flattened it though.

Might be worth putting a jumpstart pack on it to check?

[Nathan_M]

I would say battery my fiesta did a similar act last year it would do everything except start I would really check the battery out, when I got mine jump started I got it down to the battery place they got a tester on it the gadget said 79% battery fine, he then said start it the short trip down there got it charged just enough to start again, the machine then recommended that it was lower than 50% and needed an external charge, I thought no as it was original so got a new one, it might well be the simple thing, the ecu will attempt to switch things on in a pre determined order and will use most of the good charge in initiating the coils and charging the fuel rail then all its got left is enough to turn the starter.

Sent from my LT30p using Ford OC mobile app

[pioneersa9800]

ok many thanks ill try and get myself a new battery, any ideas on where i can get myself a cheap/new battery?

i was going to use euro parts because i had a code but cant seem to remember it :( all in time for x-mas lol

thanks for all the input regardless

[Nathan_M]

ok many thanks ill try and get myself a new battery, any ideas on where i can get myself a cheap/new battery?

i was going to use euro parts because i had a code but cant seem to remember it :( all in time for x-mas lol

thanks for all the input regardless

I would be tempted to try and jump start it or borrow a booster pack from someone first to make sure it is the battery or even just use a multimeter, it would save you 50-60 quid on a battery if it isn't, i would think that it is based on the fact that the dash lights went out despite the fact that the engine wasn't running and the fact that the mileage display appeared to go off completely, my lights wont go out until its going, the battery one will stay lit because the alternator isn't providing a charge and the battery is discharging that is normal, and when you do get to the bottom of the problem the engine may well be flooded with all of those failed attempts, is the throttle on the silver top engine in yours a FBW or cable driven?

[pioneersa9800]

Well I tried to get jump started the other night, nothing - sounded like it more or less wanted to start but just couldn't quite get there!

I have the battery on charge tonight hoping that will do something and of course not wanting to waste £50+

[Nathan_M]

Check the manual for the flooded engine start procedure, on my fiesta its an electronic pedal so you hold the pedal to the floor when you turn the key and it starves the engine for a few cranks, im not sure what the technique would be if yours is the older cable style, have a look at vitals before trying to start it again, take the air filter out and have a look at it just check the oil, and perhaps check the tightness of the HT leads at each end maybe even take them off in order and check for rust dust or corrosive build up.

[mick85]

So when ignition on u can't hear fuel pump energise did u check all fuses sounds like dodgy pump

[eliaskok]

Did you try to change the fuel filter?

[pioneersa9800]

No I'm afraid not, fully charged the battery all last night got it all set up still no joy

Should I go for a fuel pump and if I do buy one which type do I need, I have found this one will this fit and do the trick:

[pioneersa9800]

Sorry forgot to add the details:

Ford focus mk1 6 pin fuel pump, petrol model, 98-05

[Nathan_M]

Thing is where is your evidence that that is the absolute problem, have you checked the fuses and wiring up to the pump? Is there actually fuel in the tank? Is the filter full of !Removed!, is the fuel line kinked or caught, I would start from the top and work back before spending anything, if you don't know or want to do it then a garage would probably diagnose and fix this in an hour or so

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[pioneersa9800]

There is fuel in the tank, a quarter! In stuck in the middle of no where and the nearest garage is about 30 miles away!

Sorry to be such a pain askin. All these questions but I need help starting off somewhere?

Anyone want to call me go ahead 07887728200

Sorry if not allowed to post a number on the forum :)

[Nathan_M]

Is that on the gauge or have you looked in the tank? I understand what you are saying, do you hear any charging noise when you put the key to position 2?

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[pioneersa9800]

We put 15 pounds worth in a day or so before it stopped again, when trying to start this morning it almost for about a second

Sounded like it wanted to start then back to the same problem

Last week when it happened again the car would start for a few seconds then cut off!

Strange eh!

[Nathan_M]

Well as you know for an engine to run it only really needs spark and fuel, one is missing from your equation thus it won't start, something is missing but what is it, this is what needs to be established, an easy check for the other vital which is air, check the air filter and all then tubing up to the throttle body for cracks or to see if it has collapsed on its self.

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[pioneersa9800]

I have checked the whole air system and all seems fine, what is the control chip with the arrow of air.flow connected to it all about?

Should I clean the spark plugs ? And check all the leads, still the other problem is with the pump not humming at the beginning

[mick85]

If u lift back seat an listen while someone puts ignition on an u can't hear anything check all fuses if all good u need a pump