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I have a 2003 ford focus ZX3 and I’m having problems with the clutch that I need to figure out. The car drives but only in 1st,3rd and 5th. It’s hard to get it into gear sometimes. In order to get it from 1st to 3rd and 3rd to 5th I have to “trick” the car by putting it into 2nd and 4th before shifting into 3rd and 5th. When the shifter is in 2nd and 4th the car doesn’t die but when in Neutral it does die! It also won’t go into Reverse whatsoever. When we first bought the car we had to replace the clutch. It was done by a “professional” and we’ve had the car about 3 months now. Didn’t have any problems with clutch til now. I was kind of “getting on it” right before this happened. Turned car off, went in to subway for only about 10 mins and when I came out it did go into reverse but when I went to shift from 1st to 2nd is when I noticed it. I really need help, please. I am not dumb when it comes to cars..have just never had to do anything with a clutch. Thanks and have a great day. By the way..I stumbled onto your website by finding a link and I LOVE IT!! You’re awesome : )
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Does the car grind when trying to shift or it just won’t
go into gear? check the trans fluid level and
condition. Also check the Master and slave fluid.https://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-transmission-problems
Those cars use cables from the shifter to the transmission and are a real nightmare to repair and adjust. It looks like something designed by a pre-schooler. If I remember there is factory updated parts for It. I had a Focus for that problem in the shop where I work. I changed the cables and to make a long story short I finally had a trans tech set it up.
If the clutch was the problem shifting in all gears would be a problem. If I understand your help request right you said it stalls in neutral when you let the clutch out.
It’s also possible you have an internal transmission fault.
To me it also sounds like a linkage problem. You might want to check there first especially if it’s a known problem with that model.
No, it doesn’t grind at all. Yes it stalls out when it’s in Neutral. If I take it nice and slowly through ALL gears (tricking in 2nd & 4th)it shifts just fine. To me it seems like the shifter or something is not “grabbing” in 2nd and 4th. Is there any chance that something would need readjusted inside car near or under shifter? It feels kinda sloppy but the cables seem pretty tight coming from that same area. To keep car from stalling I just put it in 2nd or 4th and it just sounds like I’m driving an automatic car(doesn’t roll or anything either). The clutch moves same as it did before and even driving without 2nd & 4th the transmission feels fine too..no jerking or stuttering of any kind. There were no noises, smells or warning signs that anything had happened except no motion when shifting into 2nd. There are STILL NO funny vibrations, smells or noises. Also need to figure out why it won’t go in Reverse either. Would that be an indication that it’s a tranny problem? Someone said something about 2nd, 4th & R being on the same “synchro” in tranny?!? I will be looking at it tomorrow so I’ll let you know what we figure out. Any suggestions on what to check would be very appreciated. The only thing I’ve ever had to do with a clutch was adjust the pedal but good thing I know people who know what they’re doing. lol
It’s funny because I’ve seen this happen with 1st and 2nd gear with these cars. I’m not completely sure about 2nd, 4th, and reverse being on the same synchro though… Could be your bushings.
Turned out one of the clutch cables went out. So had to replace them both. Really makes me wish I knew how to replace it after I found out how much it cost taking it to a repair shop! lol it ran good after the cables were replaced. Since then I’ve replaced the front rotors/brake pads, spark plugs and wires. Just in the last 2 weeks have also had to replace the dpfe sensor, timing belt, fuel filter, battery and now fuel pump gets done tomorrow!! UGH I have already put so much in this crappy FORD..lol ty for your replies.
yw. Well, got the fuel pump in today and mechanic said it ran good driving it to me..but it choked out while waiting on me and IF and WHEN it restarts it feels and sounds like it’s choking out and if I DON’T rev the motor constantly and at about 3K RPM it chokes out INSTANTLY!?! Mechanic thinks it’s the up stream O2 Sensor.It’s getting TOO much gas caused it to flood out. Also the girl before me put a whole new exhaust from the intake manifold all the way to the exhaust tip, it doesn’t even have a catalytic converter..so my question with that is would I need a universal fit or OEM sensor or does it even matter?!?
[quote=”jeanhorsley” post=84228]yw. Well, got the fuel pump in today and mechanic said it ran good driving it to me..but it choked out while waiting on me and IF and WHEN it restarts it feels and sounds like it’s choking out and if I DON’T rev the motor constantly and at about 3K RPM it chokes out INSTANTLY!?! Mechanic thinks it’s the up stream O2 Sensor.It’s getting TOO much gas caused it to flood out. Also the girl before me put a whole new exhaust from the intake manifold all the way to the exhaust tip, it doesn’t even have a catalytic converter..so my question with that is would I need a universal fit or OEM sensor or does it even matter?!?[/quote]
If the cat is missing then there is an o2 sensor missing.
Are there any check engine lights on? If so post codes.
See if this link helps.http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-performance-issues
There is no cat. but there ARE 2 sensors! Put it on OBD2 and it said couple different things:
1)it says fuel lever sensor faulty(isn’t this included in the fuel pump that was just replaced? If so, I should take it back?!?)
2) says BOTH O2 sensors ARE working!!
3)said something about the VPRW or VPRM?!? My mechanic friend tested the battery and the load was only 12.46 so he’s thinking it’s the alternator?!?He’s keeping it at his shop to further investigate. Any suggestions will be gladly appreciated 🙂 :ohmy: 🙁 :sick:
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