04 Focus Mk 2 misfire problems

[derbyguy]

Hi Guys

Newbie here and hoping you can help, I've seen other with this problem and the advice to fix it but I think I may have made the problem worse .

My 04 Focus started "stuttering" the other week then the other day there was a noticable lack of power and the engine warning light came on, a friend at work plugged in his diagnostic computer and had the message "misfire on cylinder 1" he took the HP lead out and said there was evidence of arcing

I've read a few forums about replacing the HT leads, spark plugs and coil pack from others who have had similar problems. I replaced the lead first and tried starting it - no change.

I've replaced the spark plug as well - just removing the old (big crack in the insulator) and screwing in the new straight off - and now the engine won't turn over and I now get the battery light on the dash

Can this be rectified? or have I done something really silly

The car is a 1.6 petrol btw

[S0 What]

The usuall problem is the washer jets letting water into the bay where it collects in the plug vally causing the leads to short out but you will know if this is your problem as the plug end of the plug leads will be coverd in brown dust (rust).
I can't of the top of my head imagine what you could have done to stop it starting after a single lead and plug change?

[derbyguy]

Thanks for that, no sign of rust just the usual wear and tear, it was suggested maybe the plugs are a different length, but they seem the same to me.

Will take the new plug out and give the area a clean and replace it to see if that works.

[Dogwatch]

If the problem was just in the ignition system the engine would turn over. Looks as if you have two problems a) the original misfire b) the battery has gone flat.

Charge up the battery then resume battle with the HT circuit.

[derbyguy]

Charged up the battery and re-connected the leads, works like a dream now

Thanks guys