Hi all, first time poster. I’ve recently had an issue come to my car where when I start it, it instantly turns off. I drive a 2012 ford focus 1.0 ecoboost zetec. I’m not big into cars and don’t really have an clue what may have caused the problem and wanted to see if anyone here had an idea of what it may be before I sent it to the garage. For more information, I bought the car in April last year as a learner driver, past its nct in October, and never had a problem with the car until this. I have had the occasional engine light but they turned off by themselves.

any information or thoughts are greatly appreciated.

6 hours ago, Geoff2004 said:

I have had the occasional engine light but they turned off by themselves.

What is the light?

2 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

What is the light?

Hi Dave, 

the first engine light I got was for a sensor and got that fixed. I’ve maybe had an engine light pop up 3 times since. But these turned off by themselves after I had longer drives. I.e 30-45 mins

I don't think there is enough information on the problem or, specifically the underlying codes for anyone to even hazard a guess as to what is going on?

2 hours ago, Shearers said:

I don't think there is enough information on the problem or, specifically the underlying codes for anyone to even hazard a guess as to what is going on?

As I stated I know very little about cars so I don’t have a great idea of what info to include. The issue I’m having is as simple as when I turn on my car it starts, but instantly turns off. I try rev it multiple times yet still dies instantly after I take my hand off the key. It’s the moment I take my hand off the key when I start the car, it turns off. After maybe 10-11 tries it will stay on but it’s an inconvenience that I have to do it so many times. I asked a friend and he said maybe the starting motor could be the issue. If you want to help and the info here wasn’t enough, please ask questions and I’ll tell you what I know

Can only suggest you consider getting Forscan and the lead and learning to get the codes (which are vital for any sensible diagnosis - long distance guessing isn't easy or productive)
There are multiple You Tube videos that explain including Skoda Yoda who I rate for his explanations:

If you are saying that the starter will activate when you turn the key but, usually the engine only turns over and doesn't run until you try 10-11 times or runs then immediately stalls it could be a fuel issues but I certainly can't say where to start without codes when the management light is on.
If it turns over reliably on the key then IMHO unlikely to be starter motor but...?
Someone else with magical powers or vast experience of your specific vehicle may have a better suggestion!

 

Otherwise to starting to learn for yourself, you are likely locked into paying for diagnostic sessions and the likely guessing that comes from that?
 

If the engine RUNS while the key is at start position then it sounds like an ignition switch fault.  The switch is behind the barrel and literally just tells the car where the key is.

If the engine only turns over on the starter motor, but does not actually run, when at start position, then that's an entirely different fault.

it sounds like a 1 ltr 3 Pot fault - you need to provide more detail on the scenario you face

Quote

where when I start it, it instantly turns off.

your sentence doesn't really make sense check BOLD in both sentences

a) is it driveable ?
or 
b) are you saying it initially seems to fire up (start), but it cuts out (stalls) before you can drive off ?

if b) no fuel pressure can cause this, where something stops the signal meant to keep the fuel pump running once it tries to fire up - whereas if you have an issue driving / not making sufficient power / its running funny - likely the engine has done what all 3 pot ones do (which sadly for your wallet is self destruct)

 

19 hours ago, Geoff2004 said:

dies instantly after I take my hand off the key. It’s the moment I take my hand off the key when I start the car, it turns off

This suggests to me it's the ignition switch. Do all the dash lights go off when you take your hand off the switch?

2 hours ago, mjt said:

This suggests to me it's the ignition switch. Do all the dash lights go out when you take your hand off the switch?

Yeah all the lights turn off when I take my hand off the key

16 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The switch is behind the barrel and literally just tells the car where the key is.

That's helpful. Can I get it to tell me where the key is? The amount of times I've lost the damn thing...

12 hours ago, Geoff2004 said:

Yeah all the lights turn off when I take my hand off the key

That sounds like "we" are getting somewhere?

If you hold or wiggle the key in the Run position will it keep going OR does it never keep running once it is out of the Start position?

In the olden days, I'd fit a switch or link that bypassed that run position to keep it running until a new switch can be fitted but you'd need a wiring diagram or some detailed testing of the switch?

The issue of the "self fixing engine management light" distracted me but that may well come back so my suggestions for that may yet be relevant.
 

Edit: Based on our diagnosis, if you take it to a garage and say "Change the ignition switch" they will do that and if it doesn't fix the fault it's down to you.
If you ask them to diagnose and they say "We THINK it's the ignition switch" they change it and it doesn't fix the problem, it's STILL down to you (never understood that as there are tales of massively expensive parts being changed that never result in a fix.
Testing not guessing and justification by someone you trust (there's a dodgy word) is the key. End of rant...