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2001 Ford Focus Sporadic stalling problem

Tiny
FWALKER70
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 145,000 MILES
Vehilcle exhibits sputtering/stalling after being driven then parked, then restarted on hot days only, problem does not occur at any other time. New related problem today, would not start at all in same manner. (Battery is new spring 08', no other known electrical or mechanical problems, runs fine 99% of the time). After sitting for 2-3 hours started again, and all seems fine. Have had Ford look at on two different occasions, no long term solution found. There were spontaneous stalling problems reported for this model year to NHTSA. Investigation concluded fuel system was at fault, but some plaintiffs reported mfr.'S repairs not fixing the problem. Also, in our case, problem only occurs in hot weather. Baffled and do not want to spend more money for dealership to troubleshoot.
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Saturday, January 17th, 2009 AT 12:14 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok I need to be honest and ask some question ok. First I need to know how mechanical you are and how comfortable you are with using a digital muti meter and doing some testing ok. I also need to what is happening when the problem happens, meaning does it have spark does it have fuel and such. So let me know what you feel comfortable getting into and we will take it from there ok. I will walk you through all the tests we may need to do but I just need to know where you comfort level is with mechanics ok, and weather or not you have a test light, digital multi meter and access to a scan tool even if it is at the local parts store (some do free scans so you may want to call around). Thanks and get back to me and we will go from there.
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Saturday, January 17th, 2009 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
FWALKER70
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I'm not that skilled in auto repair. I was just looking to this forum to see if any of the techs had any experience with this particular problem. There are many people out there experiencing this problem and Ford techs are fixing it in a variety of ways (Idle Air Control Valve, intake runner control, fuel pumps, EGR sensors, ignition coils, the list goes on and on). But I would be willing to try and troubleshoot if you would be willing to describe in detail the engine components to check and tools needed, I can follow up with a friend who can help me. I am going to replace the ignition coil first (suggested from another site) and see if that helps.
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Saturday, January 17th, 2009 AT 11:15 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
I would first go to one of your local parts store's (one that will do a free scan) and see if there are any codes stored before spending money but that is just my opinion as a mechanic, I do not like being a parts changer as this is a waste of money. But if you have already replaced coil how did it do. As you said the list goes on you could replace parts till your broke and never fix it so if you would like to diagnos the problem then you need get a scan first to see what that brings if there is no coded then I need to know if you have a digital multi meter and would like to try to find the problem. Let me which way you want to go.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
FWALKER70
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes, I agree, I don't want to replace everything, but from what I've read, some people have had success replacing the ignition coils. While I'm at it, I'll do the spark plugs and wires as well and see if that helps. If that doesn't do the trick, I will pursue your diagnostic test suggestion. Will give you an update later this week. Unfortunately the weather has turned cold here in So Cal, so the problem may not re-surface until more hot weather.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 12:40 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
OK that works let me know how it goes. So how cold it cold anyway? I was stationed in Camp Pendelton Marine Corp Base. I am now in North Idaho and it was -15 for a week or more in december and now it is about 28 and with the wind chill it is actually about 15.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
FWALKER70
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well, it looked colder this morning. It warmed up quite a bit by the afternoon. We were in the 70's - 80's.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Well good so let me know if the coil fixes your problem if not we will see what we can find.
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Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
FWALKER70
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I'm open to doing some diagnostic testing now.
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Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok have you done a fuel pressure test when it having its problem? Do you have spark when the problem happens? Let me what you can and we will go to the next step. Thanks
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 AT 9:57 AM

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