Had this car been mine, I probably would be griping, ranting and yelling right now. But, since this car actually belongs to my cousins son, I'll just concentrate on expaining how my uncle and I fixed it, and hopefully prevented it from recuring(since there seems to be a high rate of recurance w/ this problem). Pretty simple really : we fixed the problem by replacing the ignition cylinder. We hoped to prevent a recurance by leaving out the tumblers in the new cylinder. I know what your thinking : "Hey idiot, if you leave out the tumblers, anybody will be able to use of any key to start the car. Well actually, that's not true. While they may be able to turn the ignition switch and engage the starter, they won't be able to start it that way. "Why Not" you ask? Becuase the Focus comes w/ a transponder key. A transponder key is a key w/ a chip in it, that is set w/ a code. When you go to start the car, the cars ECU sends a signal to the key and if the key does not respond w/ the correct code, the car is disabled. So, unless you're trying to keep just anyone from getting in your car and listening to the radio, you won't have much to worry about.

right off the bat, tell any one who is thinking of buying a ford focus to stop and think. ever sence i bought this car all i've been doing is replacing parts and spending money,,,, i just can't afford to live like this! i have a ford focus zx3 2001. i regret buying it in the first place. i finally thought all the work and money i spent would last me a few years, but look a me now. i ready to burn this car to its grave! its just a waste of my time! take it from me its not worth the time. ill just start having more and more issues and problems.

Jumped in my car and it wouldn't start. The starter was making this hideous noise. I thought for sure I have to replace my starter. My brother suggested I clean off my battery terminals because they were pretty mucked up with the usual corrosion you see on battery terminals. I thought there was no way that was the problem and appeased him to show him he was wrong. Well I disconnected my battery and removed it from the car. Mixed up some baking soda in a cup of water and with a toothbrush, carefully cleaned off the terminals. I also cleaned off the cables and wrapped exposed areas with electrical tape. To my amazement and embarrassment. This worked. I didn't need to buy a new starter or alternator. The corrosion on the battery terminals had a huge affect on the draw from the battery. The car ran a little stronger too.