Ford Focus Mk2 (2007) cranking but no start
Discussion
Hi. I have a near 20 year old Ford Focus Mk2. Today, I went to start my car up and it cranked over but no start. The last time it wouldn't start was six years ago when the battery needed replacing - which I duely replaced.
This morning (7 degrees cels) I attempted to start it, it cranked for about 7 seconds with no start so I stopped.
Gave it one minute's rest and tried again. The first 4 seconds it cranked, sounded like it wanted to start with very faint spluttering but didn't and then the crankling sounded like it was dying out.
Gave it five minute's rest and tried again but the same happened, 4 seconds of cranking, very faint spluttering, then the cranking sounded like it wanted to die.
Gave it ten minute's rest before trying again but this time I pumped the gas a few times prior to cranking. Cranked over for 3 seconds, a bit louder spluttering and then it fired up. Gave it plenty of gas when it did start up and it remained idle for ten minutes before I drove it.
Drove it for 20 minutes to the local mechanics and it felt fine. Parked up, switched off the engine, then the mechanic drove into the garage bay half hour later and the car started fine upon him doing so. Mechanic put a battery tester on it and the testing device stated it required the battery replacing (the mechanic couldn't remember what percentage charge/health it had - this doesn't mean the battery is cause of non-starting though).
If you view this YT video from the 2:45 to 2:50 mark you will hear the car crank, spluttering, then the cranking sounding like its dying out. This is exactly (and I mean exactly - crank, spluttered, dying out, duration, loudness, etc..) what my car sounded like on the first three failed starting attempts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2upDh6-FMo
Does this sound like a battery issue or another issue (reading online a fuel pump possibly)? I don't wish to pay for a battery (£85 fitted) and then to find out it was something else. Are you able to advise? Thanks.
This morning (7 degrees cels) I attempted to start it, it cranked for about 7 seconds with no start so I stopped.
Gave it one minute's rest and tried again. The first 4 seconds it cranked, sounded like it wanted to start with very faint spluttering but didn't and then the crankling sounded like it was dying out.
Gave it five minute's rest and tried again but the same happened, 4 seconds of cranking, very faint spluttering, then the cranking sounded like it wanted to die.
Gave it ten minute's rest before trying again but this time I pumped the gas a few times prior to cranking. Cranked over for 3 seconds, a bit louder spluttering and then it fired up. Gave it plenty of gas when it did start up and it remained idle for ten minutes before I drove it.
Drove it for 20 minutes to the local mechanics and it felt fine. Parked up, switched off the engine, then the mechanic drove into the garage bay half hour later and the car started fine upon him doing so. Mechanic put a battery tester on it and the testing device stated it required the battery replacing (the mechanic couldn't remember what percentage charge/health it had - this doesn't mean the battery is cause of non-starting though).
If you view this YT video from the 2:45 to 2:50 mark you will hear the car crank, spluttering, then the cranking sounding like its dying out. This is exactly (and I mean exactly - crank, spluttered, dying out, duration, loudness, etc..) what my car sounded like on the first three failed starting attempts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2upDh6-FMo
Does this sound like a battery issue or another issue (reading online a fuel pump possibly)? I don't wish to pay for a battery (£85 fitted) and then to find out it was something else. Are you able to advise? Thanks.
Edited by Dave111 on Monday 12th January 18:41
Almost everything to do with starting during this time of year is due to the battery.
You say yours is now six years old, and a mechanic has put a battery tester on it and stated it needs replacing, I'd say that's a good investment and six years is a good life for a battery nowadays.
The only other thing you can do other than start testing with a multimeter and fault code reader is check and clean all your connections, in particular the big earths you are likely to have a couple of big earth straps, the main one being from battery negative to chassis, take it off and give it a good clean and make sure its giving a good earth and check the earth on the starter, but overall, you've answered your own question, a new battery is a good investment and a good place to start.
You say yours is now six years old, and a mechanic has put a battery tester on it and stated it needs replacing, I'd say that's a good investment and six years is a good life for a battery nowadays.
The only other thing you can do other than start testing with a multimeter and fault code reader is check and clean all your connections, in particular the big earths you are likely to have a couple of big earth straps, the main one being from battery negative to chassis, take it off and give it a good clean and make sure its giving a good earth and check the earth on the starter, but overall, you've answered your own question, a new battery is a good investment and a good place to start.
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