Zetec Cold-Starting Issues

[kcarlen]

Hey all, good to own a Focus....EH?

My Wife's car has continuously been having starting problems in the morning before driving to work. The car in every instance has been sitting for at least 12 hours to experience the problem. The car starts right away, runs and stalls after about 4 seconds. The car then attempts to start after turning the engine over several times. It finally starts after about 3-4 attempts.
The car does seem a little more sluggish than I remember....I don't drive it all the time...but my wife agree's. Other than that, the car works fine for the rest of the day.
Is this a fuel pump issue??? I have been reading the posts and knowbody is experiencing the issues that I am having. The car never stalls while I am driving.....I have already replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter with no difference.

[voodoodoc2]

Check for bad throttle body, and/or bad fuel pump, one of those usually seems to be the culprit for a majority of problems on the Focus.

[Mendari]

Replace the fuel pump with one that flows at a higher rate. The sluggishness can also be attributed to a weak fuel pump. Also, replacing the fuel pump will allow you to check the electrical grounding. Cold weather may increase the resistivity of the ground connections.

[kcarlen]

Problem Solved!!
Dealer said that the fuel pump regulator module failed. Started this morning at -6 all OK.
I guess it was getting overpressure at 80psi....even after having the fuel pump replaced under recall.

[Mendari]

Could you please explain what a Fuel Pump Regulator Module is and where it is located? Just in case....

[kcarlen]

It is located on the main fuel rail alonside the fuel injector banks. I have not physically looked at it yet....but by the diagram in the Ford Manual that is where it should be located. It was a $30 CAD part so it can't be very large..or complicated. At this point I don't know whether it is an pressure-activated electrical switch or a pressure-diverting switch. Since the Canadian/American version of the returnless system is used....I can only presume that it is an electrical input that goes back to the Computer as an ERROR in.

[Mendari]

$30? I've seen air fresheners that cost more. Thanks for the info, it makes alot of sense to me now.

[jurbaniak]

kcarlen,

I am having the same problem. You're not alone. Sorry you had to endure this, but since you did, thank you for sharing. I'm taking a printout of this threaad to the dealer in the morning.

God bless and good luck.

[speedy6301]

i had a slimler problem but its off and on so i took mine back and they said it was my pcm so they reprogramed it and it helps a lot not the problem is gone btw my car was 1 mothn old when that happened now its a lil over 2 months and more problems r comming up and it dont look to good lol