I have an mk1 focus 1.4 cl sat on the drive for 1 1/2 years now. i wanna get it back on the road and running so my girlfriend can use it for work. obvious problem. . it wont start! when the ignition is turned it makes a clicking noise. tried charging the bttery and still. . no start. then thought it was the starter motor seased so gave it a few knocks with a hammer. . still no progress. unfortunitly for me thats about as far as my knowledge goes as to getting this back on the road. so does any 1 else have any ideas what it might be to get it running again? cheers!!!

 

sounds like not enough juice from the battery, try jumping it.

hitting the starter motor with a hammer is not the most thorough test either

 

before you attempt to start it check the oil if its clean and at the right level turn the engine over by hand a few times to lubricate the innards as the oil may well have drained off the cylinder walls.
check your other fluid levels too.
did you give the battery a full charge, ideally a trickle charge overnight and then check it to see if it's holding the charge. sometimes an unused battery can oxidise on the plates through lack of use and when you charge it it wont hold a charge.
ensure the terminals and earth straps are clean from corrosion and secure.

 

chuck a new battery in and it will start

 

As said, make sure all fluid levels are ok, give it a jump off another car that is running and it should go!

 

Had a problem with the starter solenoid/relay on my st170 every now and then - worth checking. Have you got a meter/circuit tester?