We are having a hard time starting our 2008 Ford Focus SES. We have to push the key in very hard, and then turn it hard. This morning, the "Service Engine Soon" light came on.

get the dtc's read for the check engine light. as for the key turning hard, the lock cylinder is most likely at fault.

I am having problems with my 2008 Ford Focus, also. Having a hard time starting, and now won't start at all. I've researched on the internet and found that I am not the only one having this problem with the ignition. So, I called Ford Motor Company to ask them why hasn't a recall been done for this year and model, and they could not give an answer. I believe if everyone that has this problem would call and flood the lines with complaints about this critical issue, they won't have a choice but to recall it. I hear there is not a REAL FIX for this issue. The dealer can't even fix it. You will be out $400 - $500 bucks at the dealership.

I have the same problem Paula. Went to a local repair shop and it cost me $215 for a ignition lock switch. Ford company basically just ignored me. I will never buy another ford car.

my ford focus is starting over and will not stop turning over like the starter is bad. i replaced the starter and its still doing this. it wont start and keeps turning over once you turn the key and wont stop till you turn the key back. i have no idea why this is happing.

I think I found the answer. The ignition cylinder (where you stick the key) has a rod shaped loosely like a plus sign that goes from the ignition cylinder and plugs into the ignition switch. For whatever reason, the rod mechanism wears down and no longer turns as far as it should even when you turn the key all the way. That's why when this first starts to happen you'll slowly have to turn the key harder and harder to turn the full rotation. However, eventually you'll hit the metal stopper which keeps the key from turning further, and you'll no longer be able to start the car because the ignition switch won't turn it's full rotation. If you don't have the cash to throw at the problem and need a quick fix, here's what I did; Step 1: Remove the lower panel that is directly below the steering column. It's the big one that has the flap for the diagnostic tool plug in. No tools needed for this, just pull down from the top where it meets the column till it pops loose, then pull up and away at a 90 degree angle. Set this part aside. Step 2: Unscrew and remove the upper and lower steering column covers. For this you will need a 7/32 socket, a 3 inch extension, and a ratchet. There are three little screws set into the bottom of your steering column cover. You'll see the inset holes when you look, they're up in there. Easier to see with a flashlight. Unscrew all 3 and set them in a safe place, preferably on a magnet pan. DON'T LOSE THEM! Now, pull down the steering column adjustment bar. Next, you'll need to use a little force and a flathead screwdriver to pull the upper and lower column covers apart as they also have internal clips holding them together. Once apart, the top one should come off rather easily. The bottom, however, you'll need to pry the lip closest to the pedals up and over the metal panel going across the driver leg area. I used a flathead for leverage. Then, you'll need to pull kinda hard on the end closest to the steering wheel until the whole thing comes down a ways. I personally couldn't get it all the way off due to the steering column adjustment bar, so just push it as far out of the way of the left of the column as possible. Step 3: Unplug the ignition switch. This is on the left side of the column and has one flat and wide plug with a tab you'll need to push down with a flathead screwdriver while you're pushing it away from the ignition switch towards the firewall. Once the plug is out, you'll need to stick your fingers in the plug hole and pull (not too hard!) towards yourself while you press the upper and lower retaining clips down to release the switch. To get an idea of the process, look at the ignition switch closely with a flashlight and find those tabs I'm talking about. Try not to use too much pressure or you might break the plastic. Step 4: Once the ignition switch is out, take the plug and push it through the space where the column adjustment bar is and as far down towards the pedals as you can. The idea is to get the plug far enough out that you can plug the ignition switch back into it. Once you've done this, reassemble the column covers and put the lower panel back on. Your ignition switch should be hanging out of the column adjustment area. Now you should be able to put the key in the ignition to unlock the column, and use a flathead screwdriver to turn the ignition switch until the car starts. I personally use a 3/16 flathead screwdriver. NOTES: Just keep in mind that your car will be very easy to steal like this. I only posted this for those who don't have the money to fix it properly right now and still need to use the car. Also, from what I've been told, this problem can be fixed properly with the entire ignition assembly being replaced. However, it'll probably happen again later down the road. Hope this helps some people. ~Kurtis

p.s. That picture is of the ignition switch so you know what to look for.

Also, to the OP, if the car isn't started, the check engine light will always be on. So should the battery light, the oil light, and some others. Doesn't mean there's a DTC, it's just part of the cycle sequence. I bet once you get it started it will go away.

I change the starter and during the removal of the old starter, I forget to remove the battery, so the positive bridge with the ground, after installing the new started now the car will not start, I have check all the fuse and they are ok, but the car still will not start, if I connect a wire direct to the started it will start, but still it won't start of i use the key

Xeroarmor Thanks for the info my daughter put off telling me about her ignition issue also.your info was a big help.

I had this same issue. Bought a Steering Lock Module (they call it a Housing) as well as a Break-away Bolt from Ford and had my neighbor replace it. Starts fine now.

Does at any point the car crank over? And just went start after this? In having a huge issue! I need help and have literly have a mechanic over to help and he doesn't know why its not starting. I did a complete engine change!!! I know I hooked everything back up. And the guy even ran some tests and nothing came up bad. Any help at this point will help me.

I also checked for spark and I am not getting any at all. And can't figure it out. I think maybe my theft system locked me out. How does one reset it easy?

i have a 2010 focus sel i too had a ignition starting problem, i replaced the key cylinder ,then i replaced the ignition switch which is actually on left of steering wheel,still no good i got on the INTERNET and found that the housing which runs from 200- 260.00 was what i needed i found at group1autoparts for 160.00 and i put it on my self in 30 mini paid 72.00 for the ignition starter,and 68.00 for key cyl and then found the housing if id known the money i spent would of paid for the housing.the reason is when you turn key rod is not getting to the ignition starter and i ordered part and got 2 days later very fast.i read where they said only had one confirmed problem after 2004 i put in complaint on the problem cuz im sure iam not only one.and my autoparts store took back my other parts good luck

See my YouTube for temporary fix. https://youtu.be/Qxu9pJU__Og

Does anyone have a video of how to fix issue?

IVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE WHERE I HAD TO PRESS KEY IN HARD...BUT IT WONT START AT ALL NOW...SO TOOK IN..AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT LOCK CYLINDER BUT IGNITION HOUSING...TOTAL COST WAS 375$...

I have a 2010 ford focus. Here is a tip a good mechanic taught me. The anti theft system may fail after about 50000 miles. Take off the terminals from the battery and hold them together for 1 minute install them back to the battery this will reset thantitheft t and the car will start if this doesn't work you need to replace the ignition

try replacing the battery in the transponder key. Worked for me

turn your key with a little force worked for me

I have a 2008 Ford Focus. I watched a few videos on how to take the steering wheel covers apart to get to the ignition switch. After taking the ignition switch out (where the key goes into), you can see that the metal at the tip of it goes into another piece that is attached to the steering wheel. It's this metal tip that gets worn out, and loses it's tight fit over time, hence why you need to push the key in harder over time to keep getting the car to start. I put electrical tape over that tip of the ignition switch that sticks out, put it back together and now it starts every time. I can even feel the metal tip go into the piece when it extends and I can feel the tighter fit as I turn the key. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cewQT0Ko6X0 This video explains how the metal tip extends and fits into the part of the car that will turn to start the car. I'm not a car person at all, hence the lingo for these things I don't know, but I fixed this issue in about an hour. That includes searching through videos and seeing what exactly my car ignition switch looks like to compare and figure out the solution. I only put about 4 full wraps of electrical tape. It didn't take much.

Hello I am new to this website and it seems the 1.6 focus 2008 style has the starting problem aswell I currently own one myself and still after 5 months of owning it I can find the problem neither can the mechanics I take it to I’ve replaced the starter motor , cam shaft sensor, crank shaft sensor, engine temperature control sensor , breather hose which goes from the engine housing to the throttle body I’ve taken the throttle body off and changed the timing , the car doesn’t throw any codes anymore ( in the beginning it was lost communication with CAN BUS , Engine malfunction, acceleration reduced, and theft detection) . I’ve had the liberty of having the fuel pump checked which is fine as it primed every time the key is turned the fuel pressure is fine as the car doesn’t loose power when driving , now being told it’s now the instrument cluster . The car is not worth it after all the money that goes into it .

Check the battery in the Key Fob. Low battery causes weak signal to activate ignition. Costs $7

I also have a 2008 Ford focus and I tried the tape thing it works good for a few months and you'll have to replace the tape

Hey Curtis I was reading your column that you posted and I have a question for you? My keys got stolen today and I've done everything as far as taking everything apart down to the ignition and that's where I'm stuck. I think I'm missing something here when I get to the part where you put the key in the ignition to unlock it and then started with a screwdriver. My question is if you have a key to turn the ignition why do you need a screwdriver to start the car. Can you help me understand that I appreciate it

It helps to push it out, stick it in the hole while turning the key and pulling it

I have a 2010 ford focus and ive already had the ignition switch replaced once just a few months ago and within days later I had troubles getting it to start again and my key pad is already going bad so alot of times I have to jam the key in the door then the alarm goes off and I have to try and start the car for the alarm to shut off and even then alot of times the car won't even start and ive also had both motor mounts go out too I had the passenger motor mount replaced about a month ago and now the driver side motor mount needs replaced at one point ive had to put 750$ in repairs at once on the car too just a few months ago ive only had the car since July 2017 I got it from a local JD Byrider lot. I have 2 in a half years left on the loan too.

My girlfriend has a 2008 Ford focus. All Summer Long done all the different kinds of tricks with the key tipping it and turned it hard finally this winter it just will not work no more. Checked out the relay for the starter by switching the cooling fan low speed for it and that didn't fix it. best video I've seen so far has something to do with the number 7 position we're in the harness and the number 4. You hook up a jumper wire that runs to a push button start from one and out the other side to the other wire turn your key to the on position for starting when push the button to start the car and release it. otherwise it looks like you wind up playing all the other games of putting tape on it and trade and parts out of it continuously.

I ran a direct on and off switch from the starter and start mines everyday from the switch

My daughter has a 08 Ford Focus having the same problem with the ignition switch not wanting to start the car .... I just take the ignition out tape it with electrical tape then it starts fine .., until tape gets thin so I just retape