100,000 mile diesel Focus won't crank (sometimes).

A

Avocet

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It belongs to a mate, who has just e-mailed me, asking for thoughts. On one occasion, they had stopped during a long run. All dash lights normal, but no cranking. No messages or warning lights. It went with a bump start.
Also sometimes won't start cold, either - even with a push. He's replaced the battery, but no different.
Sometimes, the dash puts up a message "engine start pending.

Does anyone have any thoughts, please?
 
Starter motor intermittent fault, is most likely at fault here.

Though my brother had a focus that would randomly cut out when on long journeys. Turned out the keyless entry was playing up so they replaced the modules and recorded and all was ok
 
Living in the past - as per usual - I think I’d pay pretty close attention to the ignition switch......if the car has a key operated one, that is.
It reminds me of VW’s of old - no cranking and no push start, predictly enough.
John
 
Potentially a list - on one of my cars the no crank was corroded earth strap to starter (went fine with a bump start) - cold start issues could be unrelated.
 
Connect a 12v lamp, between the small terminal on the starter and the starter motor's earth - it should light up, when the key is turned to the crank position. That will tell you whether the problem is with the car's systems/wiring or the starter motor itself, and you can then progress from there.
 
Avocet said:
Sometimes, the dash puts up a message "engine start pending.
Click to expand...
Probably not related to the non-starting issues, but there are plenty of posts on Ford forums relating to this message.
They suggest it only occurs in the cold, when the vehicle is started straight away, without a chance for the glow plugs to warm up fully.
 
Could be your starter motor relay, look in handbook for location usually in engine fuse compartment .
Its normally a 4 pin relay so could be swopped with another 4 pin relay in fuse box to confirm fault
 
Hi All,
I saw the car today, briefly. It's a 2014 car and it's the 1.5 litre Duratorq diesel, if that gives any more clues? It was raining and I'm going down with a cold, so I didn't hang around, but when you try to start it, there is a healthy "click!" from under the bonnet, but no cranking. It's way too loud to be a relay. It sounds like a starter solenoid. I had a quick look under the bonnet and can't even see the starter. Does anyone know where they are on those engines, and how much of a fun job they are to change, please?
 
Avocet said:
I saw the car today, briefly. It's a 2014 car and it's the 1.5 litre Duratorq diesel, if that gives any more clues? It was raining and I'm going down with a cold, so I didn't hang around, but when you try to start it, there is a healthy "click!" from under the bonnet, but no cranking.
Click to expand...

That suggests a failing starter motor, if it's not repeatedly clicking whilst the key is held in the crank position. Could be commutator or brushes. If it is repeatedly clicking, then it suggests battery or a high resistance connection somewhere.
 
Harry Bloomfield said:
That suggests a failing starter motor, if it's not repeatedly clicking whilst the key is held in the crank position. Could be commutator or brushes. If it is repeatedly clicking, then it suggests battery or a high resistance connection somewhere.
Click to expand...
No, just one, good, solid click. The guy has had the battery on charge too.
 
Mottie said:
I'be had a couple of starters pack up on Focus's and Mondeo's. Both times is been down to them being clogged with metal particles which turned out to be the beginning of the DMF breaking up.
Click to expand...
Oh thanks. That's worth bearing in mind. He's thinking of dealing it on anyway. This might just help make up his mind...
 
Avocet said:
It belongs to a mate, who has just e-mailed me, asking for thoughts. On one occasion, they had stopped during a long run. All dash lights normal, but no cranking. No messages or warning lights. It went with a bump start.
Also sometimes won't start cold, either - even with a push. He's replaced the battery, but no different.
Sometimes, the dash puts up a message "engine start pending.

Does anyone have any thoughts, please?
Click to expand...
Starter motor easy DIY job you could try one of these companies to see if they have a spare as I know they scrap vehicles and may have one . Worth a try ... https://www.removemycar.co.uk/

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If not try your look on ebay to see if there is one on there maybe ? .
 
Just an update, we changed the starter last weekend, and it all works fine now. Thanks to everyone who chipped-in with suggestions! He's bought another car anyway, so he's going to clean it up and stick it on Autotrader.
 
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