My 01 Focus S2 with Zetec was giving a bad DPFE code and had all the signs/symptons associated but the car was still very driveable. Yesterday it got worse, car would want to stall when idling and occassionally would have no power for a few minutes then clear up and run fine. I changed DPFE and reset computer by unhoooking battery for about an hour last nite. This cleared trouble code, but I am still having same problem (although a little better than yesterday).
On my 30mile ride into work this morning it ran pretty good when cold, but once it warmed up and I started hitting stop and go, it started stumbling bad, wanting to stall, then it had no power for about 5 miles (in middle of nowhere) so I kept chuggin on, then all of a sudden it started running great for a few miles before acting up again. All with no trouble codes being given, check engine light is off.
Anyone have any ideas?
I am considering going ahead and replacing EGR valve itself and
replacing fuel filter?
I disconnected airhose to EGR valve to test to see if stumlbe would go away but it didnt, can the EGR get stuck open?
Could dealer have given me bad dpfe or one with wrong calibration?
Tomorrow I am picking up a used fuel pump from a low mileage wreck ($20!!!) so my plans for this weekend are to:
-Test the 'new' pump and clean its pickup, than drop tank on my focus and install.
-Change fuel filter
-Change PCV
-Remove and Clean the EGR valve
-Clean MAF with Electrical COntact CLeaner (very carefully)
-Check for vacuum leaks
PLus change the oil since I am going to be under there anyways.
I will post my results wehnever I finish.
Last edited on Fri Apr 8th, 2005 02:44 pm by tekguy4
I hate my local ford dealer and although he may change the fuel pump under warranty I am sure he will find other ways to charge me for other 'services' he will say he must perform.
Well there is a dealer here I don't really care for but they aren't the worst. I refuse to pay for anything if it goes in for warranty work and I frequently use the teamfocus discount we have set up there. Its only a couple bucks but it helps and they get less money from me.
Anyways, friday I drove home from work fine, like car never had a problem, saturday I drove 70 miles round trip to pick up a fuel pump, car ran like new, no problems.
So saturday I did the following:
Replace PCV valve, replace fuel filter, changed oil, cleaned Air filter (I have CAI), clean MAF and EGR valve, then added some fuel system cleaner to tank. Car ran wonderfully all day saturday. (did not change fuel pump as it was running great)
Sunday, I filled tank and car started running crappy again. (it runs alot better than last week but car refuses to idle- it will just stall out if I dont keep it revved above 1000rpm, also minor stumbling on occasion) I realized car for last 2 days was around 1/3 tank or less.
So I am assuimg that this weekend like it or not I am dropping tank and changing pump. But from what I whave read and what seems obvious, fuel pump issues usually get worse when tank gets lower, I seem to have opposite. I will know for sure by friday if my car runs better as week goes on (and tank gets lower).
Anyone have any thoughts? Since I am dropping tank (what a pain in the ass that is going to be), I want to clean it out, any ideas or tips on what works best to remove any residue or smudge that might be there?
They must sell some kind of cleaner. I know there is a metal tank cleaner & prep out there but we don't have a metal tank. Find an Eastwood catalouge and check it out. There might be somthing in there. You might be able to rinse it out with water (or soap & water)after its dropped. Just make sure you dry it out real good.
I'd been having the exact same problem for the past few months...this weekend I got around to replacing the entire ignition system (Steeda wires, Autolite double plats, and an OEM coil) and the car now runs like new. I can't even tell that it's running at a light (were as before, I could hear it, see it, feel it) I have a little more power, and my mileage has gone up slightly. HTH.
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
Checking out my coil I noticed the connection harness is brittle and cracked.
I have just ordeered a new genuine ford coil ($39 delivered, gotta luv ebay) to replace the old one.
Anyone know where I can source the 'harness' for my car, besides Ford, called a couple dealers and cheapest price was $65 for a 4 prong harness that costs maybe a dollar to produce.
I can check junkyards and cut one out, but I have read these things get brittle with age, so I would rather off buy a new one.
I dont know of any place other than a junkyard for something like that. I need the gromet that goes around the connector that plugs into the coil. And the best place for stuff like that is usually the junkyard.
You said the 'connection harness' was brittle. Do you mean just the tubing is brittle or the wires and the connector itelf? If its the wires or the connector, Im not sure you would be able to get one all by itself, I could be wrong, but I would suspect that is part of the overall wiring harness itself.
If you do find a source for them, please post it up. You also mentioned your harness was a four prong harness. On the Zetec the connector to the coil is a three prong connector. On Ground wire (Center wire) and then two power (Outside Wires). The Zetec coil is a two channel coil so you would only need three wires. You said you had a Focus S2, and Im not familiar with that model so maybe there is something different.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
Ford sells the harness but cheapest price I found was $65
countor and mystique 99-00, focus 00-02, and escapes 01-04 all use Motorcraft #DG474 coil, so hopefully I can find one in junkyard, and cuts out its harness
the harness itself is brittle and cracked.
*****wires are brittle also and the coil has cracks around the mounting bosses!!!!!
Last edited on Thu Apr 14th, 2005 04:21 pm by tekguy4
Just wanted to know if you had any updates on this???Did the fuel pump fix the problem? The stumbling has returned for me, though not as bad as before, but I notice that it's better when the tank is full, leading me to believe that the pump may have not been changed under the recall. I'm going to call the dealer tonight to check it out, but wanted to see if it would help first
BTW-Is there arewhere online that I can whether or not my car has had the recall? I know that it's unlikley, but I really don't trust my dealer all that much. Thanks.
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
with Zetec was giving a bad DPFE code and had all the signs/symptons associated but the car was still very driveable. Yesterday it got worse, car would want to stall when idling and occassionally would have no power for a few minutes then clear up and run fine. I changed DPFE and reset computer by unhoooking battery for about an hour last nite. This cleared trouble code, but I am still having same problem (although a little better than yesterday).
On my 30mile ride into work this morning it ran pretty good when cold, but once it warmed up and I started hitting stop and go, it started stumbling bad, wanting to stall, then it had no power for about 5 miles (in middle of nowhere) so I kept chuggin on, then all of a sudden it started running great for a few miles before acting up again. All with no trouble codes being given, check engine light is off. 
dealer and although he may change the fuel pump under warranty I am sure he will find other ways to charge me for other 'services' he will say he must perform.
I realized car for last 2 days was around 1/3 tank or less.
