Electrical problem
2001 Ford Focus 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 70,000 miles

Hello,

We've recently encounted a very sporadic electrical problem with our 2001 Ford Focus SE (four door). The problem has happened twice on the freeway (going 65 mph) and once at a stop light (idling). Without warning, the dash gauges zero out and the front head lights and radio go out. As dash leds go, the cruise control dash light illuminates on/off during the problem timeframe. After two or three minutes (maybe as long as five minutes), they all come back on in unison.

There does not appear to be any mechanical failure when this dilemma is happeing. The motor, power steering, etc. appear to continue functioning normally (though I am not sure about brake lights) or other subtle aspects of the car.

So far, we have had the following done by a local certified mechanic to address the issue:

1. Replaced the alternator (found charging system faulty)
2. Replaced the ignition switch (no hard evidence..just a recommendation).
3. Charging system check.
4. Full electrical inspection.

The problem however, still persists. The fact the issue is not reproducible at will is the main challenge the mechanic faces. The car is back at the shop as I write this, but I wanted to put this out there to see if anyone has any ideas?

Regards

Hi, Ford had a recall on the battery cables for that car, check your cables for burned marks near the battery terminals and get back to me.

Hi danabr2002,

Thank you for the donation.

The problem don't seem to be caused by the charging system.

I would say it is a bad connection somewhere causing power supply to be interupted.

I would suggest checking junction and fuse boxes connectors for overheating, looseness etc.

Does the headlights goes off no matter in low or high beam mode?
Is your vehicle equipped with DRL?
Are the speedometer and tachometer working?
All gauges stopped working or any still working normally when it happened?

Can you pleaase let me know the exact vehicle model?

KHLow2008 wrote:

Hi danabr2002, Thank you for the donation. The problem don't seem to be caused by the charging system. I would say it is a bad connection somewhere causing power supply to be interupted. I would suggest checking junction and fuse boxes connectors for overheating, looseness etc. -->mechanic looking into fuse boxes for symptoms you've described. So far, nothing obvious has surfaced. Does the headlights goes off no matter in low or high beam mode? -->The headlights seem to be controled by the ignition switch. When the car is on, the lights are always on. It's my daughter's car and I've never driven it, so I'm not sure if the headlights need to be manually turned on at night. This has happened once at night and the lights were set to low beam. Is your vehicle equipped with DRL?--> Sorry, I do not know what "DRL" means. Are the speedometer and tachometer working? -->they work, just not when the problem is happening. When the problem happens, all gauges zero out (analogue). All gauges stopped working or any still working normally when it happened? -->all gauges. Can you pleaase let me know the exact vehicle model? I'll need to get back to you on that.

Hi danabr2002,

DRL = Day Running Light. Your description means yes.

Check the battery cable as advised by Ken.

2CarPro Ken wrote:

Hi, Ford had a recall on the battery cables for that car, check your cables for burned marks near the battery terminals and get back to me.

Ken, I really apologize for my ignorance. My DMV papers incorrectly list this car as 2001; in fact, it's 2002 Ford Focus SE (4 Door).

Does this change anything?

Thanks.

KHLow2008 wrote:

Hi danabr2002, DRL = Day Running Light. Your description means yes. Check the battery cable as advised by Ken.

Hi, I really apologize for my ignorance. My DMV papers incorrectly list this car as 2001; in fact, it's 2002 Ford Focus SE (4 Door).

Yes--DRL enabled when turning on the motor.

Thanks.

Hi,

Just to follow up on this.

Did you check the cable and was there any fault found? Have you solved the problem yet?

sometimes I have seen a battery short out internaly, If all the electrical shorts out it the battery could cause it.