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2000 Ford Focus Car accelerates and then turns off

Tiny
CRLN_MNDZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
Engine Mechanical problem
2000 Ford Focus 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 129k miles

vMy focus keeps on accelerating the rpm goes way up without me pressing the gas then goes down. When I drive it also does it and it turns off like if it's lacking power or something. This is so irritating. I took it to a mechanic and he changed the intake manifold and some wires and charged me alot for this which didn't even fix the problem! I also changed the idle control valve and it still has the problem. I'm exhausted with this car! What is the problem it's still accelerating and turning off also the security light comes and off! Help! Now I even have a check engine light on. Please Help!
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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 1:33 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Hello,

First thing is to retrieve the code(s). Go to your local car part store (autozone, etc) and ask them to do it for you. They usually do it for free. Then come back here with the exact code(s), and we'll go from there.
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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
CRLN_MNDZ
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RenaudTn- I went to autozone and the guy said that it looks like there was a problem with my alternator. He just said to take it to a shop to get checked, although I don't think there is a problem with the alternator I think it's a electrical problem. The other day I was driving and it started accelerating like usual w/o me pressing the gas hard and then I tried to put my windows down and they wouldn't go down and then after a while it worked. Also my battery light is always going on and off after a while. The guy from autozone said the battery was good. I'm asking questions here because I'm tired of getting ripped of by mechanics who say they fix the problem and then later the car is the same, and when I go back it's never ending. I just want to fix whatever is wrong with it so I can sell it.
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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 9:33 PM
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Sorry I should have been clearer: when your engine light pops up, it means your " œcar computer' has detected a problem and has stored one or more codes (such as P0300 for instance). These codes help determining what's wrong with the car, and can be retrieved from the " œcar computer' with a code reader or a scanner. Part stores retrieve them for free usually. Getting the code is always the first step because it points us in the right direction. Once we have the code the real troubleshooting can begin.

Also, Autozone can check your alternator; it needs to be removed from the car and bench checked.
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Thursday, October 21st, 2010 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
CRLN_MNDZ
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Ok so I went to pepboys now. Lol. I got the codes. They gave me codes: P0122 Tp sensor and
P1120 Starter Switch Circuit could this be making my car accelerate like it is or does it have nothing to do with was happening. Thanks for you help.
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 9:54 PM
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Hello again,
Sorry I don't check my emails a lot on the weekends.
Anyhow, there is definitely something wrong with your TPS sensor, and yes it is likely why you have acceleration problem. The TPS sensor senses how much your throttle plate is open. Basically when you press on the gas pedal, it pulls a cable that opens or closes this throttle plate. This sensor is one of the inputs used by the computer (pcm) to determine the proper AFR (air/fuel ratio).
Another thing: P1120 is not a Starter Switch Circuit problem. This code indicates your TPS is out of range.
This could be several things and before we blame a faulty TPS, I'd like to do some troubleshooting:
Do you have a voltmeter with you?
Let me know
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
CRLN_MNDZ
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Thanks for all the info, no I don't have one
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Friday, October 29th, 2010 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
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OK, we won't be able to do a lot of troubleshooting then.
What you can do however is to check the wiring at the sensor, as well as the connector, for damage wire, short to ground, loose wire, etc. If it checks out OK, you'll have to go to a shop for further troubleshooting. At least you'll be able to tell them what's wrong and they won't take you for a ride.
Here's a picture of the sensor in case you don't know where to look:


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/215217_UNI_0030_2.jpg


The picture is taken from the passenger side. You can see a yellow wire going to it; it's right below the big, black duct on the picture (on the left of it if you're looking standing in front of the car).
Hope this helps.
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Saturday, October 30th, 2010 AT 12:10 PM

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