Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > Ford Australia Vehicles > Small and Mid Sized Cars > Focus

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 30-12-2018, 10:23 AM   #1
64ORD
1964 Thunderbird
 
64ORD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 93
Default LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

Hey guys

2006 LS Focus Zetec 140k on odometer

Anyone have experience with this starting issue.. insert key and turn, ignition on but won’t move any further to start engine. Problem is intermittent but getting worse by the day.. tried brand new spare key and still the same issue.

Any help much appreciated

Cheers Johnny
64ORD is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 30-12-2018, 12:53 PM   #2
fiestaz
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
fiestaz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,123
Default Re: LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by 64ORD View Post
Hey guys

2006 LS Focus Zetec 140k on odometer

Anyone have experience with this starting issue.. insert key and turn, ignition on but won’t move any further to start engine. Problem is intermittent but getting worse by the day.. tried brand new spare key and still the same issue.

Any help much appreciated

Cheers Johnny
Battery?
__________________
2013 Focus ST
2019 Hyundai i30 Active.

A clean car brings a clean mind
fiestaz is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 30-12-2018, 07:25 PM   #3
64ORD
1964 Thunderbird
 
64ORD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 93
Default Re: LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

Good battery and new starter motor.. it’s an issue at the ignition switch
64ORD is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 31-12-2018, 03:07 PM   #4
brucewarring
Regular Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Townsville
Posts: 72
Default Re: LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

I was thinking I hope it was in Park and the foot on the brake?
brucewarring is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 31-12-2018, 05:16 PM   #5
marg99
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 803
Default Re: LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

On the auto models they have a cut out so you cannot start unless the car is in neutral or park It may be that the selector cable/rods are out of adjustment and not putting the lever in the right spot to enable the engine to be cranked over.
marg99 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 06-01-2019, 12:30 AM   #6
LaserLikeFocus
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 54
Default Re: LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

I suggest you get a new ignition barrel. They last about a decade with regular use so the timeframe for your car fits. I replaced mine last year for around $220, for parts and labour.

Mine got worse over time and I did not notice that until it just failed and would not start. I presumed the engine bay and CPU ignition components were just getting old.


I've seen some unsolicited advice which says a heavy key ring puts strain on the washers in the ignition barrel tumbler device over time, but I'm a bit sceptical of this notion.
LaserLikeFocus is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 06-01-2019, 12:46 AM   #7
LaserLikeFocus
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 54
Default Re: LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

It could be the electronic switch per se but that will not be turned on unless the tumbler can rotate far enough (if the small springs and so on are damaged).

With mine, you could turn it somewhat (1 and 2) but it could not be pushed to 3 (before it would normally be clicked back towards 2 after the starter turned the engine over and successful cylinder ignition occurred).

I tried gentle tapping with a small hammer, a lot of dilithium grease, hard strikes with a big hammer and I gave up.

The barrel and switch are more or less one unit even if they are sold and installed as separate parts. They complete a circuit. I would replace both even if they are separate and one "still works".

The only other issues I can think of are bad contacts (battery [unlikely, you probably checked this over and over again], switch, ignition or sensors), an ECU issue or the relay switch. If you have a no start, no cranking condition it probably isn't the relay. You can probably test the relay with a multimeter or a circuit tester. I checked my fuse box and they were all fine.

I had to call in the NRMA. I always find it embarrassing but I love chatting to the towies when they give you a lift, they probably think I'm a nuisance like a hypochondriac at a doctor's.

If you're in a bigger place, you might be able to get the barrel replacement in less than a day.
LaserLikeFocus is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 12-01-2019, 11:16 AM   #8
LaserLikeFocus
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 54
Default Re: LS Focus starting/ignition key? problem

I apologise.

I may have given you a bum steer. My car's issue was the ignition switch - found it on the receipt.
LaserLikeFocus is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 06:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL