Not starting?

[aemilia]

Hi Folks,

I have a 7 week old 2001 2.0 SE Focus 4 door, automatic transmission.
I live in Los Angeles, where I do a lot of freeway driving, stop and
go traffic, and stops and starts.

After about the first week, if I was out running errands, stopping the
car, driving a distance (say 20 miles), stopping the car again, and
then when I went to re-start the hot car after 10-15 minutes, it
wouldn't start. Wouldn't even turn over. If I tried again a few times,
eventually it would start right up.

About 24 days after I had the car (and about half a dozen times this
would happen) I took it to the dealer and asked them to fix it. They
kept my car for 2 days and said they never could re-create the
problem.

I really love the car, but I hate it that I'm already taking it to the
shop.

Anyone else have this problem? And it isn't the car being in the wrong
gear, I don't have the alarm system (although my key does have the
anti-theft chip), and there is no clicking, so it isn't the starter.

aemilia

[Dan Luke]

Heard on the radio this am Ford is doing a recall of 22 million cars with
faulty ignitions. Sounds like you might be one of the 22 million.
-dan
"aemilia" <aemilia...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:p8oent4ta6dt1fk54...@4ax.com...

[Dan Brackett]

According to msnbc.com, only those cars sold between '83-'95 are affected.
Sounds like you're still screwed then.
"Dan Luke" <d...@hwpics.com> wrote in message
news:v2Td7.55$Pm5....@news.uswest.net...

[Gary]

If the starter won't turn, there is a problem with the security
system, neutral safety switch (auto), clutch switch (manual), wiring,
starter, batery ,cable, etc. The tough part is that they will have to
see the problem or just toss parts at it.

The other problem mentioned is for older Fords...TFI (thick film
integrated) ignition cars - not used anymore. In that case, it will
turn over fine but won;t start (no spark). I had an Escort with one
and it failed on the highway. The TFI ignition module was mounted to
the side of the distributor and ran too hot and failed. It should have
been mounted remotely. I replaced it and it ran fine.

Gary

[aemilia]

On 13 Aug 2001 18:46:34 -0700, gm...@yahoo.com (Gary) woke up
compelled to spew forth:

>If the starter won't turn, there is a problem with the security
>system,

The guy at the service center said it couldn't be the anti-theft chip
in the key (I did not get the alarm system) because if it was that,
the car would turn over, but not start.

I get nothing but dead air. there is no turning over or starter
clicking.

> The tough part is that they will have to
>see the problem or just toss parts at it.

What is odd is that they took the ignition apart (I know this because
the cover for the ignition housing underneath the steering wheel is
now on crooked), couldn't find anything, and put it all back.

But I've had the car back 2 weeks, and it hasn't had the problem since
<knock on wood> maybe whatever was loose and not connecting was put
back together correctly when they looked at it.
I was just curious to see if anyone else had this problem.

Other than that, I love the car....it zips all over the freeways and
goes quite quick for a 4 banger. But my driving habits are such that
it only gets about 25-26 mpg. But, I only have 3500 miles on it so
far, so maybe as the engine gets broken in it'll get better.

Thanks for all of your help!

aemilia

[Bob]

My daughter just purchased a Focus last week. I looked through the owners
manual and do remember a passage regarding reseting the "safety lock out" or
something to that regards.

Her cars has the automatic transmission shifter on the floor console. Next to
the shift lever is a small round hole with a plug. I recal the manual stated
if the card did not start to remove the hole plug insert a screwdriver and
reset the safety switch.

Rember, you must push on the break peddle to start the car.

In article <p8oent4ta6dt1fk54...@4ax.com>,
aemilia...@yahoo.com says...

[Gary]

That (shift) interlock is for shifting, not starting the engine. They
want you to have your foot on the brake when you shift out of park.
This ia a safety feature...the result of cars that people said ranaway
when they shifted them (I never saw an engine that the brakes couldn't
over power from a stop). I never saw an automatic transmission car
that won't start if you don't press the brake pedal first.

The manual release is in case the solenoid fails and you can't shift
out of park. Prevents you from getting stuck somewhere.

Gary

[HbgpodLW]

Gary - how old are you? Almost every car I've had you could start with your
foot off the brake...I know I'm "old" by Focus standards though... so does
anyone know when this foot on the brake thing started? Just curious. I've
always had (cheap) Fords - I wonder if that's why !
Thanks.... Linda

[Joe Dadey]

Not sure when it started, but it's definately been a few years. My 92 Nissan
Stanza had the same feature.
Joe

"HbgpodLW" <hbgp...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010824001530...@mb-mo.aol.com...

[Gary]

I was trying to say that you can't SHIFT it out of park without puting
your foot on the brake pedal. Of course you can START the car with
your foot off the brake. I never saw a car that was designed
otherwise.

The mid 80's Audi 5000 started this - unintended acceleration. People
claimed the car ran away when they put it in gear and drove through
their garage or into another car. The pedal design/placement was
suspect and if one holds the brake of any car, you can floor it and
hold the car. People thoght they were pressing the brake and mashing
the throttle. Anyway, then others complained with other cars and the
car companies put these shift interlocks in so one holds the brakes
while shifting out of park.

Gary