Ask Sarah

Sarah Forst posted on April 30, 2009 17:02

I just bought a used 2001 Ford Focus with only 56,000 miles on it. It’s an automatic but sometimes it sputters like it’s going to die and it stalled once. I was able to start it back up, but I don’t want it to happen again. Any ideas? I don’t want to get ripped off if I take it to my mechanic.

Crystal

Highland, CA

While the problem could be a number of things from bad fuel to a vacuum leak to the ignition coil to the Idle Air Control Valve sticking, but I’d bet it’s your Fuel Delivery Module (FDM), a common problem on the early model Ford Focus. A “safety improvement campaign” was issued (three times, actually) for the 2000 and certain 2001 model year Focus vehicles that identified the problem as contamination of the fuel pump filter that could eventually prevent fuel from flowing to the engine, causing hesitation, power loss, surging, and possibly stalling. These symptoms were more likely to manifest when the fuel tank was less than a quarter full and under acceleration when turning right or going uphill. Owners were notified of the problem but since you are not the original owner, you wouldn’t have received anything. If the car exhibits symptoms of this issue, dealers were instructed to replace the FDM with a newer design at no charge to the customer. The free replacement is being offered for 10 years after the vehicle was purchased with no limit on the number of miles, so you may want to take your Focus to a Ford dealer to get it taken care of. Make sure it is running a little low on gas so you can hopefully have no problems recreating the problem. Dealerships were instructed not to replace the defective pump until actually fails so it may be a hassle but some dealers are a little more understanding than others.

-Sarah Forst

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# Steve

Saturday, July 18, 2009 6:57 PM

Well, in a fit of insanity I bought another '91 B13 this week with the , in addition to Dave's Car back in 2007, and I can say while I very much like the Wilwood's caliper feel, the ADV22F work pretty darn well too. That's what is on my second B13 along with U13 MC.

Just don't go too crazy with expensive pads in the rear with those Max rear calipers, my first B13 (Dave's old car) had a pita bias in the rear that would show up at exciting times like the end of a 100 mph plus straight, or braking before a corner very late, locking up a rear tire just before you want to think about turning the car, very exciting. Remember the Maxima rears are floating calipers and they do need a little TLC to keep working all nice. If they get sticky, you'll know, ask me how I know. :)

Buy Sarah's book. I did, it's good.

# Steve

Saturday, July 18, 2009 7:05 PM

I hate power windows. I mean, what is so terrible about cranking a window up and down anyway? This problem is way common in G Coupes (03-07 V35C's), ask me how I know, $500 later about the driver's side. Motor and regulator. Ouch. If the window starts acting up at all take it to get fixed or do it yourself, don't wait until a messed up regulator costs you the window motor, too.

Not too fond of power seats, either. Manual seats rarely do things like move all by themselves when you're driving a 6MT and scoot you back almost too far to reach the clutch, then refuse to acknowledge your mastery of the switch and move the seat forward again so you can barely bring the car to a nice controlled stop off the side of the road. Power seats do. Well, mine did.

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