Ford Focus Mk2 1.4 won't start

[oldmanbm]

Bought a good Mk2 Ford Focus 1.4 3 door for my nephew to learn to drive in. It's a one owner car with just 60,000 miles. It's been lying since the owner passed away and I went today to collect. Put in new battery, pumped wheels and added petrol. It turns on but when you go to the next stage (starting) everything shuts down. I looked at earhing etc but no joy. Any ideas why it refuses to go?

[sherman]

How long has it been lying?
Petrol can go off.
Drain the tank and put fresh fuel in it or if its almost empty add a some fresh fuel and crank it over again.

[oldmanbm]

Yes, thanks for this. The dash lights/car goes dead when you go to start it. I put 10 litres of fresh petrol in when i went to the garage to collect. It's been lying for six months or so.

[EmailAddress]

Can you hear the fuel pump prime?

[oldmanbm]

No because the car does not switched on long enough - when you try to start it everything goes dead. Getting a mobile mechanic to look at it next week. most perplexing!

[EmailAddress]

Tried an alternate key/ immobiliser?

What does the OBD do when connected and logging.

Have you tried removing all auxiliary fuses and working through the systems.

Does the battery need 'coding' to the car?

Does the dash stay on when the key is turned to position I / II.

Will the alarm go off when the car is locked?

What happens if you try to start it while 'jump starting' it i.e battery connected to a second running car.

[EmailAddress]

Are you sure the new battery is good?

What's it reading and will it click the alternator if you're quick.

[sherman]

EmailAddress said:

Does the battery need 'coding' to the car?

I know the mk3 needs the battery coded to the car.
Its possible to do it by flicking the indicators and depressing the brake pedal etc in the right order.

Theres loads of videos of how to do it on youtube. I doubt the mk2 is that different.

[Dogwatch]

Sounds as if the immobiliser is saying “no way, get a key I can recognise”. And that’s it.

[EmailAddress]

Dogwatch said:

Sounds as if the immobiliser is saying “no way, get a key I can recognise”. And that’s it.

Has OP changed the fob battery.