Focus Won't Start

I'm not sure whats going on here... but the damn thing just wont start. I've replaced the clutch safety switch, it did'nt work, so now I'm out of ideas. The starter works fine. At first, it would only start every now and then...but now it won't start at all. I'll push down the clutch, turn the key and nothing. Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks

check the ground wire on the motor(on the passenger rear part of the engine)...get alot of that on foci.

Hmm...well according to my Autotech program, I've punched in the parameters you're describing and it came up bad electronic sensor/signal. Now we both know that could mean anything. It also came up with clogged air filter. But I see you're running a K&N so not likely. Do you hear the fuel pump whirr when you go to start? Could be bad fuel pump/pressure regulator or a connection there. I know you want to avoid taking or towing it in so I'm doing what I can for you here. Try one of those mobile mechanic guys? Maybe they can give you a diagnosis and you take it from there. But it sounds like not getting fuel or something electrical/signal wise. Come to think of it, same thing happened to my '02 2.0L Zetec. Dealer repair under warranty, was something to do with an orange and black wire, coil related. And had to tow it in. Also look at cold start valve and idle air bypass valve. And double check the integrity of all the vacuum hoses between the firewall and the engine. See the fat one with the elbow? Known for burning or melting through. :2cents:

I took it down to the Ford dealership today and the mechanic called me back and told me that the ignition switch went bad. We got the car to the dealership by "push-starting" the car...I sat in the car with the the gear in reverse and the clutch down. My friend push the car backwards and when it got going fast enough, I quickly released the clutch and voila...a running engine. (I guess you can also do it by pushing the car forwards while its in 1st gear, but since I pulled into my driveway nose-first, it made more sense.) But anyway, if thats really what it is and it works...its just one more thing to add to the list of possible explanations of "Engine Wont Start" on the Focus forums. Thanks everybody for your help, and I'll let you know if it works.

That's cool dazada and that's how to conclude a thread! :)

It turned out that it was one of the clutch switches after all. I had replaced the wrong one which was actually the clutch safety switch (the red clutch switch at the top of the pedal), and it was the black switch near the bottom of the pedal that has something to do with cruise control (even though I don't have cruise control). First, the dealership replaced the ignition switch, and the car would still not turn over (hey, at least I got a new ignition switch out of it). Then they replaced that black clutch switch and it worked great...have'nt had trouble with it since. It cost me around $210 (about $150 for labor, of course) to get it out of the shop, so here's a possible answer to the problem if your having similar trouble: replace both clutch switches before you take it in. Each switch is about $16, and you'll probably only be able to obtain them through a dealership. Trust me...it'll be the best $32 you ever spend.

That's super cool dazada. I'm gonna add that one to my textbook of Engine Troubleshooting/Engine will not start verse. It will be line item 25, bad clutch safety switch, upper and/or lower. Yup, that's how many things could be wrong when your engine doesn't start.Thanks for keeping us all informed. Now if only marciecloud would check back in with her conclusion to the bad idle problem. :p