I have a serious problem with my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3...?

Question

My 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 is having some serious electrical problems, and when we brought it to the dealership they just said that a bunch of Ford Focus' from that certain year had the same problem. I don't think there was a recall, and they sort of admitted that they didn't really know how to fix the problem. It's an intermittent problem where the lights, radio, air conditioning, and everything else connected to the 'ground' electrical circuit just sort of fail as I'm driving. CAN ANYBODY TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? I NEED SOME SERIOUS ANSWERS BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR

Oh yeah and when I took it to the dealer they just said it could be a bad ground connection, and they tightened all the ground connections. The problem is still happening, so I don't think it's a loose ground connection.

Answer 1

Take it back to the dealer, have them run the VIN through OASIS. There was a recall where the main battery positive & negative cables had to be rerouted in separate convolute. I doubt this is your problem though. It sounds like you have a short circuit somewhere, or quite possibly even a loose ground connection somewhere. Unfortunately, only the dealer would be best equipped to repair this problem. They have access to the wiring diagrams, that the repairing tech is DEFINITELY going to need. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

You will have to take this into a competent mechanic. The body control module might be on the blink, or there could be a bad ground somewhere. This isn't something the home mechanic should be messing with. (the Ford dealer couldn't even do it). I don't advocate messing with the wires either. You can check for a loose harness in the engine compartment as this would cause the problems you describe. Other than that I would get it fixed somewhere other than the dealer. The Ford dealers I've dealt with in the past were hard pressed to fix even the most elementary of issues with their vehicles. Sometimes taking multiple times to unsuccessfully solve a problem.
I had a 1996 Escort under warranty that needed a simple adjustment on the transmission. They insisted the motor mounts were bad (this was an extended warranty and these weren't covered). This error on their part nearly cost us $1800 as the car was 56 miles from the warranty expiring.

Answer 3

2001 Ford Focus Electrical Problems

Answer 4

YOU have been taken advantage of. You just purchased a car, used, out of warranty, and AS IS.
Ford has already made it clear to you that they aren't going to help you.
This is a case of buying someone else's problem. Unfortunately, not EVERYONE can afford a new car every time the ashtray fills up.
I just checked my ASE professional's database, and I find that there appears to be a significant weakness in the wiring of ALL focus', and your specific problem isn't unheard of in the independent shop world.

What to do-------->
If you take it to ford, they may be able to repair the problem, but be advised that they are going to CHARGE you for the time to diagnose the issue, and it will probably start out at 2 hours, billed at full shop rate (~ $90.00 to $130.00 per hour). The repair will be on top of that, and the diagnostic time may be open, meaning that it may take more than 2 hours to find.
I recommend that you dig into your yellow pages, and find an independent ASE Certified repair facility that either does auto electrical alone, or at least has electrical WIRING a specialty.
One of the responses that I found for your exact complaint was a wire from the under-hood fuse box that feeds the dash circuits where it runs through the bulkhead.
Ask the shop to also access either ALLDATA or Mitchell On-Demand for TSBs or recalls relating to this issue. It may make it much faster for him to find.
He will also charge you for repair AND diagnostics, but at least you know he really WANTS to satisfy you, and has an interest in you returning, or your word-of-mouth advertising.

Good Luck

Answer 5

THERE WAS A RECALL!!! These cars start on fire running or not. Dont drive it anymore untill you talk to someone at FORD. Dont take it to a shop or dealership until FORD tells u which one in ur area to take it to, or they'll just make excusses, WHY? they hate these cars, they have had nothing but problems with them from the get go! CALL FORD, call a dealership and ask for a customer service number for the Ford Motor Co. and give em a ring!

Answer 6

I had an '89 Ford Probe with a similar problem. Turned out to be the ignition switch. If jiggling the key makes them come back on, it's the switch for you too.

Answer 7

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