Do you own a 2000 - 2003 Ford Focus?

[Lok'i Vidaar]

If so please read ahead.

Not only are our vehicles littered with recalls, which in retrospect isn't so bad cause generally you get them taken care of and everything is fine. However, If you have a few of the common occurrence problems with your cars like I have you'll be upset about the issues (like me)

So a few warnings about your 2000-2003 ford focus...

First. The drivers side seat. this damn thing has a horrible design, the welds which brace the right side to the left break very easily. If you have children and frequently turn around to check/correct them or whatever, be careful, as just a little too much pressure on the right side of the seat will cause these welds to snap... (found this in a service bulletin)

Also a biggie, I am currently going through (as I type).

The ignition lock stops working, in that, when you insert your key and try to turn the key to start your vehicle the key will not turn. Often times the key also gets stuck inside the ignition. This is caused by a poorly designed locking mechanism in the ignition lock in your focus. A lot of times a Small whack with the palm of your hand on to your key will temporarily remedy the sticking lock pin.

I will continue this post soon with instructions on removing your current lock cylinder, either removing the tumblers and replacing the cylinder, or replacing with a new lock cylinder.

[Ekade]

We had a Ford in our family once. That was an expensive mistake.

[Jabe Adaks]

Every Ford I ever owned was a big peice of shite. I have sworn off Fords forever.

Jabe

[Jaminos]

We had a Ford in our family once. That was an expensive mistake.

If ford had made one big mistake in it's enitre time it could be sumed up in one word.

Windstar

[Skorixor]

We had a Ford in our family once. That was an expensive mistake.

If ford had made one big mistake in it's enitre time it could be sumed up in one word.

Windstar

yeah the windstar was a much bigger turd than the Edsel...

/sarcasm off

[Lok'i Vidaar]

Alright Removing the Lock Cylinder from your 2000-2003 focus.

If you have gotten your key to turn in the ignition do the following:

On the left and right of your steering column their are two tabs right below the seam where the two halves of plastic meet. Their are two Torx screws on the bottom of the column, on either side of the steering wheel remove those. Now don't try and remove the plastic as you don't need to.
Just lift up on the top piece and push the bottom piece down so it is out of the way of the lock mechanism. You should turn your wheel to the right about 80 - 90 degrees, you will see a hole about 3/16" in diameter just behind the black plastic ring at the end of the lock. Turn the wheel so that you have a good amount of room to get to that hole. Now have a small awl, or really small screwdriver handy. Turn your key to the off position, inset the awl or screwdriver into the hole and press in while turning the hey to start, you will feel the awl/screwdriver sink into the hole, at this time pull out on your key, and your ignition lock will be removed from your vehicle.

If your key **WILL NOT** turn you must follow all of the steps above until you get to the turning the steering wheel part (because it obviously wont turn due to the wheel lock).

Picking up their. now you will need something short and small in diameter (about 1/8") I used a finishing nail which I grabbed with a pair of vice grips. save that. Now lets talk about getting that lock to turn. This is the fun part. Get yourself a LONG HEAVY DUTY flat screwdriver, preferably one of the ones that has a SQUARE not round body. Insert screwdriver into keyhole drive screwdriver into keyhole with a hammer (not really hard but hard enough to make the screwdriver "stick" just a little.

Now use a crescent wrench on the square part of the screwdriver, "rock" the driver back and fourth. Keep going this with every time you start a new series of rocking getting stronger on the lock. Eventually the "face" of the lock will break off. When this happens, their will be a "pin" sticking out above the keyhole, take a pair of small or needle nose pliers and remove this. Reinsert your screwdriver insert your finishing nail or whatever you got into the hole in the ignition lock and Turn your "key"(screwdriver) to the off position, insert the "nail" into the hole and press in while turning the "key" to start, you will feel the "nail" sink into the hole, at this time put down the screwdriver and grab the outer ring where the "face" used to be and pull out on it, your ignition lock will pull right out...

Now that you have your lock removed you have a few options.

For those of you who could actually turn your lock.

You can A) Remove the locking pins making the lock inoperable, you still have to insert YOUR key because it is a transponder key and the car will not start without it.

To do this, remove the large black ring on the back of your lock, you can do this with ring lock pliers, they open out instead of closing, you can also try vise grip pliers or a screwdriver I highly recommend ring locks though...

Anyway after you get this removed slide the inside of the lock out through the front. Now their will be a pin that fell out of the outside peice. discard now on the bottom of the inside piece their is a small thin cover. Pry this off with a small screwdriver or awl, turn upside down and dump out the ingredients springs and sliders/tumblers. if they all don't come out you MUST remove them. After all of the springs and tumblers are removed, put the lock back to together and reinsert into the car.

Turn key and start.

B) You can buy an upgraded lock from a locksmith. http://marcslockandkey.com/ has them for $35, they can also key the lock to fit your key for $7, just give them your key code, or a copy of your key.

C) Pay a locksmith, or the dealer to do all of the above, ranging from $200 - $500.


And those who couldn't...

You can
A) Remove the locking pins making the lock inoperable, your lock is broken but you can still insert a key and turn to start it...you have to insert YOUR key because it is a transponder key and the car will not start without it.

To do this slide the inside of the lock out through the back. Now on the bottom of the inside piece their is a small thin cover. Pry this off with a small screwdriver or awl, turn upside down and dump out the ingredients springs and sliders/tumblers. if they all don't come out you MUST remove them. After all of the springs and tumblers are removed, put the lock back to together and reinsert into the car.

Turn key and start.

B) You can buy an upgraded lock from a locksmith. http://marcslockandkey.com/ has them for $35, they can also key the lock to fit your key for $7, just give them your key code, or a copy of your key.

C) Pay a locksmith, or the dealer to do all of the above, ranging from $200 - $500.


Sorry I wrote this fast I plan on cleaning it up and posting it on every Ford Focus forum I can find

[alexandria nexus]

FORD= Found On Road Dead


im so glad I bought a GTI instead of a fagcuss I mean focus sorry to hear that you got a lemon man. VW all the way ;)

[warsloth]

I only own fords. I have two sitting outside. There is also a problem with the contour/mystique where the defroster grill pops out of the front and the plastic dash curls up... I have seen several do this, but no recalls.

My truck hasn't given me any grief, but I plan on selling it and getting a Toyota. Unless I get that CJ7 from my friend and rebuild it.