I own a 2005 Ford Focus and am having trouble with the boot? Recently the boot stopped working properly and would only open on the odd occasion but now it never works. We have tried replacing the switch and latch with no luck and have also checked fuses. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. We are really frustrated that there is no manual boot opening way so we cannot access the boot at all.

When you press the 'boot' symbol twice on your key fob, can you hear any reaction from the boot?

The most likely cause is a break in the wiring loom where it passes through the rubber tube between boot and body. The flexing at this point eventually work-hardens the wiring which then snaps.

Like you I've always thought the removal of the key-operated boot release was a bad idea. Done to save a few pennies I imagine.

3 hours ago, StephenFord said:

When you press the 'boot' symbol twice on your key fob, can you hear any reaction from the boot?

No reaction at all.

1 hour ago, mjt said:

The most likely cause is a break in the wiring loom where it passes through the rubber tube between boot and body. The flexing at this point eventually work-hardens the wiring which then snaps.

Like you I've always thought the removal of the key-operated boot release was a bad idea. Done to save a few pennies I imagine.

Yea that sounds about right, any ideas of how to fix?

7 minutes ago, Gary069 said:

No reaction at all.

I would concur with the broken wire then as it sounds like your lock just isn't getting any electricity...

3 hours ago, Gary069 said:

Yea that sounds about right, any ideas of how to fix?

Run a new or replacement loom yourself?  

If its something your willing to try I have some guides which would help show you how to get access to everything,

First try source a loom from a 2010 focus probably have the longest lifespan maybe contact breakers on Ebay to find a supplier. You may also be able to repair the existing loom by removing it and tracing through it but if your going as far as taking it apart to get access then you might aswell have a full replacement on standby, 

The loom plugs in to the registration light loom and the boot handle loom inside the boot door,

It surly terminates again somewhere inside the vehicle 

My guides for fitting a boot tow strap handle, and guide for fitting a reverse camera boot handle, will shoe you how to strip the boot door,

My guide for fitting a 10" roof monitor will show you how to strip the inside roof panel giving you full access to the loom, 

I think it plugs in somewhere above the drivers side pillar as that's the side the rear washer hose flows aswell.

My list of guides are here: some available in PDF form which retains the image quality: 

Maybe make the most of the process while stripped; add some mods like red LED lights to the grab pockets inside the boot door to act as an additional tail light when the boot is open, 

Splice them in to the boot interior light loom 🤷‍♂️

Or follow my guides with the roof monitor and sparco delorean style boot strap, helps my kids close the boot after they retrieve there school bags in the mornings 👍 as they csnt reach the full height of the boot yet