MK1 Focus starting problem

[focusdriver]

I have an x reg 1.8 petrol Focus which has problems starting the first time in the day. I can only start the car when I have the accelerator pedal depressed prior to turning the key, but once I release the pedal the engine switches off. Yesterday I managed to drive the car by starting it with the accelerator pedal down quarter way and then letting the car roll down hill in 2nd gear with the foot off the accelerator pedal, and once at the bottom of the road the car was able to idle by itself. Afterwards the car started and drove perfectly for the rest of the day.

When I start it the first time the next day I have the same problem as described above. All the service parts are working fine and less than a year old (plugs, leads filters, battery..).

At first I thought the engine is being flooded but have been told its more likely a fuel pump or relay issue. What's the best way of locating/sorting out this problem? Could a OBD reader pick up what the problem is?

[MajorMantra]

I've no idea if it will help with your problem, but even without an OBD reader you can check a Focus for fault codes. Google "focus dashboard trick".

[Cabinet Enforcer]

MajorMantra said:

I've no idea if it will help with your problem, but even without an OBD reader you can check a Focus for fault codes. Google "focus dashboard trick".

IIRC the dash only shows fault codes for the dash itself, not the whole system. This type of intermittent problem often doesn't show up on OBD anyway.

OP, check that no pipes to the inlet manifold have come adrift, you'll need a torch to get a good look.

Once warm does the idle settle down nice and steady, and return smartly after a good throttle blip? If not it could be a sticky idle speed control valve (Google for ISCV).

[Conscript]

Idle Control Valve?
If faulty, the idle is usually lumpy and might cause stalling - not sure if it might also prevent the car starting.

[MajorMantra]

Cabinet Enforcer said:

IIRC the dash only shows fault codes for the dash itself, not the whole system.

I was under the impression it would display a full range of DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes), see here:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/1486-fo...

But yeah, it may not help anyway.

[focusdriver]

Thanks for the replies. It managed to start up and drive fine today but I only drove it about half a mile yesterday after struggling to get it started. Normally if I drive it more than say 10-20 miles it wouldn't start the next day without having to depress the accelerator pedal first.

I hate these type of intermittent problems, its hard to reproduce the fault so you can diagnose what the problem is. Once it has been started and driven everything works fine including idling.

I have noticed the engine needs to turn for the car to be able to idle by itself . ie. the car has to actually move first, so I start it with the accelerator pressed, reverse out on to the road (without letting go of the pedal otherwise the engine will just switch off), put it in 2nd then gently releasing the clutch and let the car roll down hill. I'm off the gas pedal while this is happening and the engine is moving at 2000rpm . After that the car drives fine and can be restarted as many times for the rest of the day.

I can sit on the drive revving the engine for over 2 minutes but once I take my foot off the pedal the engine will just switch off. I'm thinking there may be a blockage in the fuel line somewhere or a fuel pump fault?