I have a 2003 Ford Focus that will not start.

BEARDEDONE

MEMBER
2003 FORD FOCUS
85,000 MILES

I have a 2003 Ford Focus that will not start. Seems to be a fuel issue, but not sure. The owner had replaced the plugs, cap before bring it to me. The head is new and has a new timing belt as well as a new fuel pump. Turns over fine, no codes but will not fire. Occationally sounds like it is trying to backfire thorugh the exhaust but was doing this before the head change and the timing belt.

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ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

You need to start with a compression test, fuel pressure test and spark test. One of these will be at fault.
It is best done by a shop. They can do a proper diag and give you a bid.

Roy

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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 5:05 PM

BEARDEDONE

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5 POSTS

Compression test is good, spark is good. The questionable part is the fuel and with a new fuel pump and relay you would think that would not be an issue. I am wondering if there is a pressure sensor that could be bad and not building up enough pressure to pop the injectors. But I am not familiar with any pressure sensors on this model.

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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 5:14 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

There is a fuel pump control unit that I believe is under the rear seat on the passenger side. It is a common failure and recommended to be replaced with the fuel pump by Ford.
Make sure the fuel pump fuse is good and the inertia switch is good as well.

Roy

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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 5:20 PM

BEARDEDONE

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Thanks, I will check that. The fuse is good and interia switch is in the proper position to run. The pump runs, but since the system was drained with the pump and filter change I would think that it would run longer than it is.

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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 AT 5:32 PM

ASEMASTER6371