I have a 2003 Ford Focus. Here in austin texas we are on a long hot summer. Recently the focus electrics have been cutting-out in hot weather. Both temp and fuel gauges will go to zero (no warning lights visible) and engine will stop.
After 10 minutes or so (when engine has cooled I guess ?), car will restart and run until engine heats-up again then....stops
New batterey was installed, no engine warning lights before cut-out !
Would like some ideas before taking to a mechanic so as to limit scope of repairs.
Any ideas from Members..thanks

 

is it overheating?

 

Thanks for your reply..
No, the Focus does not appear to be overheating as judged by the temp gauge (when not cut-out) as well as the overall "feel" of the engine compartment temp.
The manual talks of an automtic cut-out if the engine overheats but that seems to relate to loss of cooling fluid which is not the case.
My guess is that there is some sensor that is is indicating engine overheat which may be malfunctioning due to excessive engine heat...
Does that make sense ?

 

My dad had a cutting out fault on his focus and it turned out to be a water temp sensor.

 

Glenn..thanks for the water temp sensor suggestion..seems to make sense and I'll check it out

 

Thanks again guys for your suggestions...The Focus is going in for diagnostics on Monday and I'll post any conclusion or fix that is made so as to add to the knowledge base

 

I'll virtually guarantee that it's the speed sensor located in the top of the gearbox

 

...latest update
tried to drive the Focus to the repair shop this morning
It started, went about 50m and stopped dead. Tried to crank it over but no go...sounded like flat battery (starter solenoid engaged etc). HCar has brand new battery.
Tried to jump from my truck with lots of cranking power but again rattle of starter soleniod trying to engage
So repair shop will tow-in but right now seems that there is some "starter action" lock-out in effect which goes beyond speed or water temp sensors !!!
Thanks again guys

 

Chris, let me know what you find that fixes this. I am having the same problem with my '01 Focus SE. I drive 1 hour to work everyday and I noticed last Summer that my focus only cuts out on the trip home from work, and then only after approx 45 minutes of driving. NEVER happened on the cooler morning drives in. I would pull over and let it cool, or if no traffic was around I would just kill the engine and let the car coast while it cooled. It always would start back up fine and continue to drive fine, but only for a few minutes.

I went through plugs, wires, coil packs... nothing seemed to fix it. Then the Summer was over and all seemed to be well.

Now when THIS Summer got here, it was the same old song and dance.

 

Hi..sorry to hear you're having a similar problem. Mine has been resolved and according to my mechanic, the whole problem started when my son allowed the vehicle to overhead (as in run dry!)
The result was that, due to excessive engine overheating, the alternator "burn-out" and the Engine Control Unit "shorted-out". The alternator was replaced and the ECU short "located" and bingo! The Ford is now running beautifully.
So suggest you check the alternator's output (as well as the battery condition as ours was also "cooked") and have the ECU checked-out. The problem with the ECU short also overode the typical engine warning lights which would have indicated (a) engine overheat and (b) alternator not charging. This ECU short also prohibited either the temperature or speed sensors from correctly sending warning codes to the ECU or lighting-up the related warning lights. Hope this helps...let me know