1999 Ford Focus won't start....
 

Hi

First time poster on here.

Trying to fix my sister's car (1999 Ford Focus 1.6L petrol) - it wouldn't start on Monday morning. Apparently it had been a little sluggish before this happened but nothing too bad.

It appears to be sparking but not turning over properly. Have removed the spark plugs, fitted it back into the lead and turned the iginition and there's a spark so I don't think it's the plugs, leads or ignition coil. When I turn the ignition, the engine warning light stays on.

I can hear the fuel pump running when i turn the key half way so I don't think that's it. I've replaced the fuel filter and still nothing.

There's plenty of petrol in the car and the battery is fine (have tried using a battery booster pack as well).

Any help would be greatly appreciated

ND

When you say it doesn't crank properly do you mean, it does it slowly?

I don't think it actually cranks at all, just sparks.

I would poss say crank sensor if you have nothin else

when was the timing belt/cam belt changed? does the engine tern over?? im gessing it does as you would not get a spark if it dident.

take the oil filler cap off and watch the cam shafts wile getting some one else to tern the engine over make sure the cam shafts rotate

Starter motor if its not cranking?

Well if it's not cranking at all there wont be a spark because the TDC sensor isn't reading anything.

Maybe I'm being dumb, but surely either the starter motor is turning the engine or it isn't, and that's clearly audible either way.
If in doubt put it in 4th gear and then try to start it!

A common problem with older Foci is the coil pack going resulting in an inadequate or mistimed spark.

I'll have to check when the timing belt was changed, I don't think it was that many miles ago.

I've replaced the coil pack and still nothing. I've removed the fule line to the injectors and there's petrol there so it doesn't appear to be afuel supply issue.

If it was the starter motor, would I even be getting a spark? There's def a spark so that's why I didn't think it was the starter (I'm no expert on this though so I could be wrong on that).

"If in doubt put it in 4th gear and then try to start it!" - I'll try that, what am I expecting to see / hear though??

IS IT CRANKING? You wont have a spark if it's not turning over! So now, i presume it's turning over? This has gone from a starter not working correctly to changing coil packs and checking fuel. Tell us again, what happens when you turn the key.

The fact the fuel pump runs and you have spark SHOWS the CPS to be fine!

There is a problem as the EML is illuminated, I would be looking toward the CHT sensor, if you unplug this the fans should run when the ignition is switched on as a major fault has been logged, when connected again they should switch off.

Clearly the starter motor is totally unrelated as it turns over!!

Martin

Apologies for the confusion - I'm probably not using the correct terminology.

When I turn the key, the car tries to start (i.e. you can hear the starter motor) but it doesn't sound to me like the engine is turning over (i.e. it's not a case of the car "almost" starting). The plugs are sparking however.

Also:
- The engine warning light is on
- The coil pack has been replaced
- There is fuel going to the injectors
- The battery is fine (I've connected it to a battery pack)

I'll try plugging out the CHT sensor and turning the ignition and see what happens.

I'll also open the oil cap and see if the cams are moving when trying to start it

Thanks again for your help

That's why I said stick it in gear, you'll feel it move (or not).

You could also try a push-start.

I'll try that so - Thanks

Right, i see, well the engine has to be turning over if you have spark.

Ok. Does that shed any light on what might be the problem??

No problem, the actual terminology you are looking for is "It's not firing" but it is turning over.

The cam belt would break while in use if it was going to not while parked up, and you would notice it while it was turning over if this were the case, as you would have bent valves and you would have no compression!

Forget about push starting etc right now as if it's turning over then this isn't the problem and you will just be wasting your time!

Martin

Depending on how good the spark is, it's not spark, clearly.

Yeah, not "firing" is exactly what it is!