Focus Help please

[marksx]

Hi all,

I have a 2000 Focus 1.6 which has an electrical problem, or problems!

The symptoms are:

-lumpy idle, revs keep dropping at random intervals.
-mis firing under load at low revs, say below 2k.
-sometimes the radio volume jumps as the revs drop at idle.
-door open light comes on every now and again.

Does anyone know what the cause could be? There are no warning lights on the dash, and when it's not misfiring it feels fine. No loss of power.

Thank You.

[Justin S]

Is the battery good and the alternator OK ?

[marksx]

Justin S said:

Is the battery good and the alternator OK ?

I don't have a proper multi meter to test it but it appears so. I have a volt meter that plugs into the lighter ssocket and it is showing 12.2v when off and 14.2v when running.

[Justin S]

12.2 volts is low . Should be about 13 volts if charged.

[marksx]

I'll try another battery on it and see if anything is different.

What would be the next thing to look at?

[Justin S]

Focus seem to eat alternators. Maybe clean the earthing points on the car too. If a battery is faulty, it may play silly buggers with the alternator and generally the car, as its working overtime trying to charge a battery as well as suport the cars running.

[marksx]

Slight update. I put the brand new battery from the Monaro on the focus. No difference.

Oddly before that it wasn't too bad, seemed to clear up a bit.

Do you know where the earth points are?

Thanks for the suggestions by the way!

[Justin S]

When you say its no different, can you check the charge rate with the new battery fitted with it running. The alternator may still be playing silly buggers. Not sure on where the earth points are to be honest. I know I have one on mine behind the headlight. Just chase the negative lead to where it bolts to the chassis/ engine, usually only a foot or so away.