Ford Focus Starting Problem

[slimtim]

I know there are some car tech heads on here so thought I'd give this a shot...

Just bought a 2000 1.8 zetec Ford Focus and yesterday I had a problem starting it. The engine cranked over but would not fire (or tried to a tiny bit). We checked the battery voltage and it turned out to be real low (12.2v) so I bought a new battery. It was real cold out which may have had something to do with it.

Stuck the new one in this morning but did the same thing. Battery voltage was better at 12.53 but it wasn't really firing. I then tried to start with my foot fully pressed on the accelerator and after a few seconds of intermittent firing it started ok and then ran fine. It has now restarted ok since. Voltage when running was 14.7 with lights/heater/heated screen on (so as far as I can tell the battery is being charged fine).

After I google searched I found the following suggestions:

Spark plugs dirty
Fuel injection problem causing engine flooding?
Fuel pump
Cranking sensor
Coolant temp sensor

I have a feeling it is something to do with fuel, but not sure. It seems to run fine when its running other than occasional slight (up to 2000rpm) revving coming up to junctions when the clutch is depressed (perhaps completely unrelated?).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Tim

[Colin F]

my wifes vw beetle did the same (2.0 inj, not old air cooled). It turned out to be a faulty temp sensor, the engine thinks it is starting warm when it is actually stone cold. Does it restart fine while warm?

[slimtim]

well it appears to, however up until it failed to start last night, it sometimes started without instant pick up if you know what I mean.

Its a bit weird that the old battery was at such a discharged state, but perhaps that was just a coincidence?

[Colin F]

the beetle ran rough and spluttered until it was warm, then it was as you would expect.

[iandl]

try the fuel filter ....located at the pump ...Focus cars are quite bad for it if the previous owner always ran low on fuel.

I would also change the coil ...the plug leads ...plugs and crankshaft sensor ...the latter goes if it has been driven at speed through a flood.

my bet is the fuel filter though

cheers

Ian