Hi guys, so just purchased a new (to me) Ford Focus automatic off a dealer who purchased it from a Nissan dealership who obviously had it as a trade in, but the 1 original owner was a granny and therefore as you would expect, it's got full service history inc timing belt etc, only 36k on the clock, 12 months MOT etc etc etc
ANYWAY, it's got an intermittent starting issue, where it literally wont even attempt to start, as if it has a totally flat battery. Yet the dash lights, CD player etc all work.
Also it had a new battery put on it last year.
There seems to be a fair amount online about this problem, I'm just wondering if anyone knows a cure?
To put it in perspective, i unlocked the car using the remote central locking, put the key in the ignition barrel, tried to started the car but nothing happened, just one "click" sound. kept the key in the barrel and this continued to happen on about 6 attempts.
I then removed the key, locked the car and unlocked it again (thinking it could be an immobiliser issue???) tried again but still exactly the same. Took key out again, put it back in and car started fine as you would expect.
Drove to pet shop, parked, then drove to supermarket, parked and on both occasions car started fine on my return.
Has anyone experienced this before?

Any advice would be great, thanks.

 

Sounds like the solenoid on the starter motor is getting stuck. You could take the starter off and spray wd40 into it, I've done that before and it work for me. Or replace with a new one.

 

Also check all the ground cables that are near the air filter, they're bolted on and can corrode..badly.

Need to remove the air filter assy to get to them properly.

 

And with it being an auto there will be some kind of safety interlock feature that prevents it starting in anything other than P or N. Might be worth a look into.

 

Yes there will be an inhibitor switch which I think on these goes through another relay to stop power going to the starter relay..