Hello today I`m going to teach you how to find and avoid some of the most common problems with Ford Focus 1998 - 2005 , before you buy certain car . Everything I write in this article is from my own experience and believe me that`s not only problems with my cars . I have been owner of Ford cars ( mainly Focus ) from more than 10 years and I`ve been through some serious problems with simple solutions at the end .Ok let`s start !
The most common problems Focus vehicles have is sensor malfunction and error ( VSS , FUEL S ... _) . When you are checking used Ford Focus drive the car when it is cold ( not driven in last 2 hours ) and look at all gauges . If the car has broken VSS ( vehicle speed sensor ) the engine will behave strangly , I mean changing in RPM , misfiring and lack of performance . The most obvious sign of broken VSS is speedometer and odometer not working .If you buy that car the repair will cost you about 150$ and be aware that sometimes the VSS is braking inside the transmission ( it is located there ) and it is impossible to change without really expensive repair including opening of your transmission , changing transmission fluids and so on .
If the vehicle fuel sensor is not working you can simply find out by checking the fuel gauge , it is either always on empty or full state . The repair of the fuel sensor is really complicated and it`s connected with many bad moments for you . First of all finding new fuel sensor unit is not easy at all and the replacement with the unit itself requires complete removal of the fuel tank , removing the fuel pump ( it is located in the fuel tank ) cleaning the fuel tank ,setting up the new one exactly and sometimes even buying a new fuel pump , because most of the sellers if you ever find one , sell the fuel unit with the fuel pump only ! So if the car you are checking has a faulty Fuel unit be ready to pay between 250( without fuel pump) and 700 $ ( with fuel pump ) or just drive the car without knowing is there is fuel ( ! not recommended because of car computer errors ! ) . If you drive you car with broken VSS or Fuel unit , your car will go in emergency mode in some of your trips with it . In emergency mode your car is starting to work on 3 cylinders or the opposite driving the fuel through the engine without igniting it . Be aware that some broken VSS looks like they are working but that is only because the car is warmed up and when you drive it a couple of hours later it will NOT work !
