Why wont my car start? (Electrical issues? Need wisdom-Ford Focus 2000 standard motor-)

240

Asked by Audrey Lynn Jul 28, 2015 at 10:57 PM about the 2000 Ford Focus LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car doesnt start at all and has not
for weeks.
One day my battery light came on
,and the next day im driving it down
the interstate and cluster in the dash
went out, my lights began to dim(it
was 2 am) as i was getting off the
next exit to investigate it kept kicking
off but would kick back on (probably
only because it is a standard , and if
the wheels are moving the engine
WILL kick back on.. ) had it been an
automatic it probably would have died
altogether. But it kept kicking on, my
gauges are going crazy spedometer
going 0 to 140 to 0 to 140 and all the
gauges doin it together. When i got to
the exit it died as soon as i slowed.
We pushed it to the gas station. While
waiting on help we tried push starting
it but it just kept dying. Tried jumping
it it did the same thing . ended up
replacing the battery (which wasnt
bad) the next day i dropped a new
alternator in it (i shouldve tested it
first bc that wasnt it either..) And now
ive replaced the cranksaft ventilation
hose but i think thats unrelated  the
prongs just broke off . im so fed up,
the gauges still jump , the battery is
losing power quickly but even
charged all the way up it cranks but
wont start. I have considered my
timing being not right or the fuel
pump but the symptoms just dont
sound right.. Im starting to think it will
just be an endless search for a bad
wire. Please help!

Tonight i am checking connectors
and any grounds i can find.

7 Answers

1,775

Sounds like it may be the alternator, I would have it checked at a local shop, most places with perform a free charging system check. The alternator going bad is all signs you are discribing.

240

But if ive replaced the alternator .. Would it but the charging system connectors related to the alternator an not the alternator itself?

1,775

It's very possible, there could be a draw somewhere or resistance in one of the wires, best bet would be to get the entire charging system check of its possible. It definitely sounds electrical to me.

240

Hah!! I would love to, but i JUST bought this car in april... So i would like to get everything out of it that i can. I wanted to have this car for atleast a few years before it shat out on me... But you might be right.

240

Update... Its not the Fuel Pump . dude above was right . its electrical, but i havent figured that out yet.

240

Also i am going ahead and checking the fuel injectors and cylinders , if i have to will check engine compression and ignition coil. That way the fuel system is covered. Then the charging system. Other than that dont think there is much else TO check.

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