Starting Issue Ford Focus.

AVENUE

Hi There


I've got a 02 plate Ford Focus, just over last couple of days I've noticed when I turn the ignition key to start the car nothing happens for about a second then car starts up fine. Its had a new battery about a year back so shouldn't be that.


Could anyone give me an idea what the problem is likely to be & is it likely to get worse & car not start at all?


Many Thanks.

AVENUE

Bump.


Thanks Avenue

Marktheshark

Poor battery earth, check all ends.

George_Michael

If it's a diesel then it could be a glow plug problem with the plug taking a few seconds to heat up.

Iceweasel

If it's a diesel then a couple of seconds or so of glow-plug delay when the temperature is low is perfectly normal and not a fault at all.

It's what is meant to happen.

Do you see a warning light on the dash during the second or so that 'nothing happens'?

It's usually an orange one for the glow-plug.

Strider590

What sort of driving?
If your doing short commutes, the battery might not be getting enough charge back into it.

AVENUE

Its a Petrol Engine & its just like there's a delay of a second before the car starts when ive turned the ignition key, but doesn't always do it. Car does start fine but its just baffling me what the delay is and was wondering if its going to lead to starting Problems with winter upon us.


I guess I'm doing many commutes of a few miles & sometimes just a couple of miles, or have been lately, but usually probably a couple of runs a week of 30 - 50 miles & occasionally long runs. Battery itself doesn't sound like its struggling & its only 12 months old, just this delay in kicking in that's baffling me.


Thanks Avenue

mgfvvc

I'm sure my old Skoda used to do that and my wife's MG also does it. I can't recall noticing it on my Ford, but it's got to be normal enough that I would hardly notice.

I've tended to put it down to the immobiliser taking a moment or two to decide whether I'm allowed to drive the car. If it's not the immobiliser it's probably something else in the complex engine management systems in a modern car.

forgotmyname

Your starter motor is cold and likes to sleep in during the winter, give the poor chap a chance to wake up

Or your battery is weak. Got a test meter to check some voltages?

sun-n-moon

Could also be bad earths [bad connections] in the system. IME usually solenoid, starter motor or battery connections. Takes a while for the current to burn through the crap. If you have changed the battery were the connections greased when fitted. See if they are covered in white gunge. First place I'd check.

AVENUE

Cheers, i'll do that. It doesn't do it every time either, battery only a year old & seems to start up fine after this small silent delay.


Best Regards Avenue