Ford Focus starter problem?

Question

I have a 4 cylinder 2000 ford focus zx3 and today i went out to start my car and it was trying to turn over and you could hear it kind of reving but wouldn't actually turn over. I finally got it to turn over after about 2 minutes of trying. Then i drove it about 3 miles and back home without shutting it off. I parked it in the garage and left it sit for about 10 minutes and it started back up fine. It is a brand new battery, which is connected good with no corrosion. Do you think this could be that my starter or fuel pump is going out. It drove completely normal but i just want to get ahead of it and fix it before it does go out completely. All the fluids are good and just had an oil change a few weeks ago. It is kind of cold out today but only like 28 degrees, it was running fine when it was zero degrees. Any help would be appreciated

Answer 1

By the description of your symptom, it sounds like your starter is on its way out. You did mention that it's a ZX3, so I'm assuming you have the 2.0L DOHC Zetec engine. It would not hurt to bring it to your local Ford dealer, and request the service advisor to run your VIN through OASIS. Back in around 2001, Ford released a campaign 00S41, or 00S42, depending on the build date of your particular Focus. The purpose was to re-route the main battery positive cable, and the main ground cable in separate convolute, to reduce the likelihood of the two shorting together and causing a fire. The fuel pump, which is also a completely separate issue from the concern you describe, should also be covered under a ONE time program 03N01, which calls for replacement of the fuel pump with an updated version that requires modifying your fuel tank to accomodate. If you like, you can E-mail me your VIN, with your FULL Yahoo E-mail address, and I will be happy to check for you. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I have an '01 Focus ZX3, and have had the same problem in the past. In my case, it was the fuel filter. It was so blocked that the pump couldn't push the fuel through fast enough to pressurize the system. If you give it about 20 seconds or so with the ignition turned to "on", and then try to start it, it might help.

Also, there was a recall on the fuel pump screens (inside the tank) - apparently, they were breaking down and clogging the pumps. Check with your nearest dealer to find out if your car has had this work done. Don't worry - it's free.

Answer 3

I bet the starter is going bad. Not the fuel pump...because you would not be able to drive it. It sounds like the starter, which is an easy fix. First check spark plugs making sure you don't have a lose distributor cap. If spark is fine...remove starter. Easy to do. Take to auto store for test. If fine, the problem is somewhere else, maybe a dirty fuel filter.

Answer 4

if it comes to be the fuel pump......dont do a aftermarket..check prices with the dealership frist. autozone or kragen only last 1 year. try geuine parts.