2003 Ford Focus what boys think girls dont know about cars

BRITTANIE13

MEMBER
2003 FORD FOCUS

2003 Ford Focus

my boyfriends car did work fine until this wintery cold came over edmonton, but we noticed when we got in the car and turned the key the car would not turn over. So we tried and tried. Waited a few days then tried again. It finally turned over and we drove off. About 5 minutes away back to the house all the power in the vehicle and the dash and head lights turn off even the gas gadge went to 0. Then the car started puttering like it was running off fumes. So I put the gas peddle to the floor and after a couple pumps it all came back on. After a few days of debating on driving it we tried again. This time it turns on all lights work. Waited 3 min then all the lights shut off and the gas gadge went to 0 again and then the car just shut off and the alarm went off. So we took the keys out of the egnition and it has been sitting there for a few days. Over this time period we have tried starting it but it just keeps shutting down. I think its the alternator but he thinks is may be his battery. Please let me know what you think!

1 Reply

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum. I'd make sure the battery has a full charge and the connections are good. Eveything turned off, use a digital voltmeter across the battery posts, note the reading. The generic spec for a fully charged battery, is about 12.6 volts. Start the vehicle, if possible, take a second reading across the battery posts, the second reading, should be higher than the first, if the charging system is working.

If the vehicle won't even crank, I check the starter circuit, that includes the battery. If the problem occurs going down the road, is the voltmeter or charge lite, acting up, anything?

Another thought, is the feed to or from the ignition switch?

I just wanted to add, I'm not siding with anybody, just tryin to help.