2000 Ford Focus....Strange running problem
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2000 Ford Focus....Strange running problem
Hey Y'all!
I bought my Grandpa's 2000 Ford Focus SE Wagon this year to use as my daily commuter (to keep miles off my baby, my 00 Expy EB).
It has about 28,000 mi on it now and when I purchased it, I flushed the cooling system, serviced the trans, cleaned the TB, replaced the plugs and wires and PCV valve, the air filter is good and the fuel filter has about 5K miles on it.
The problem is not major, just slightly annoying because I know someting is not 100% with it.
It seems to have a part-throttle surge (very minimal, but I can feel it's there), sometimes the idle gets very low and it seems like it could stall, but doesn't. It seems to have some electrial grounding issues because the AM radio is affected sometimes when I apply the brake and have the turn signals on. The battery could be older. That seems to be a grounding issue?
It was in a MAJOR front end collision when Grandpa had it when it was about 3 yrs old or so, it was nearly totaled, like 15K in damage or something.
What bothers me is that this problem is made WORSE when the A/C is running, with the A/C on, it's VERY doggy. For a 130hp engine (16V) it does not seem to pull very hard. At WOT, it does run out strong, but part throttle seems to be wheezy so to speak.
Any thoughts or known problems with the 00 Focus I can look at?
Thanks much in advance,
Greg
I bought my Grandpa's 2000 Ford Focus SE Wagon this year to use as my daily commuter (to keep miles off my baby, my 00 Expy EB).
It has about 28,000 mi on it now and when I purchased it, I flushed the cooling system, serviced the trans, cleaned the TB, replaced the plugs and wires and PCV valve, the air filter is good and the fuel filter has about 5K miles on it.
The problem is not major, just slightly annoying because I know someting is not 100% with it.
It seems to have a part-throttle surge (very minimal, but I can feel it's there), sometimes the idle gets very low and it seems like it could stall, but doesn't. It seems to have some electrial grounding issues because the AM radio is affected sometimes when I apply the brake and have the turn signals on. The battery could be older. That seems to be a grounding issue?
It was in a MAJOR front end collision when Grandpa had it when it was about 3 yrs old or so, it was nearly totaled, like 15K in damage or something.
What bothers me is that this problem is made WORSE when the A/C is running, with the A/C on, it's VERY doggy. For a 130hp engine (16V) it does not seem to pull very hard. At WOT, it does run out strong, but part throttle seems to be wheezy so to speak.
Any thoughts or known problems with the 00 Focus I can look at?
Thanks much in advance,
Greg
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It ran pretty much the same as it does now, no real change.
It runs decent now, don't get be wrong, for 95% of the people out there, they'd probably not even give it a second thought, but I know something is not quite right with it.
thanks.
It runs decent now, don't get be wrong, for 95% of the people out there, they'd probably not even give it a second thought, but I know something is not quite right with it.
thanks.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Beachville, Ontario
Check engine light come on? The 00/01 had a EGR relay/valve/something or other that went bad and caused part throttle surge, and Ford updated the designt of the part to fix the problems.
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Thanks for the reply. No, no CEL has ever come on to my knowledge. What was the fix for the EGR relay/valve or whatever? Or is is just a design problem I have to live with? If I have to live with it, I can live with it, it's not a huge deal, but I know it's just not quite right and I think it's hurting my fuel mileage. I do mostly city type stop and go driving and I'm averaging in the low 20's. I know a wagon is heavier, but I figured I'd be in the mid 20's city.......but then again, I think the window sticker only had that for city........but that was the "old MPG" rating system so perhaps It's the best it can do. I'm just not sure, it has a very slight part-throttle surge, that I can feel, at highway speeds it's most noticible and with the A/C on it's worse. With the A/C on I feel like I have to give it 3/4 throttle just to pull out from a stop light with any kind of urgency. Or if I'm going down the road and want to pass someone, same thing, until I floor it, then it downshifts, screams and pulls pretty hard.
It's a 10+ yr old Focus, I'm not expecting miracles, that is for sure, but the mileage is low at 28,500 and this seems to be an issue I should be able to correct.
Thanks again.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Beachville, Ontario
It was a physical part that needed replacing. The CEL came on when the problem came up, haven't had it again since. The fuel mileage is good but not great with the 16v, especially around town, maybe it's how I drive it. 
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He was something.
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