Ford Focus 2003 FAQs

Check out real-world situations relating to the Ford Focus 2003 here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

• Ask Smithy Xtra Fix water in Ford Focus fuel

  You say the car is now running well, so it would seem that by draining the fuel tank and replacing the filter the mechanic fixed the problem. You can connect the charcoal canister, it’s there to collect the fuel vapour from the tank so it’s no released into the atmosphere; the accumulated vapour is then burnt in the engine, so it’s safe to reconnect it.

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• Will parts from a 2007 Ford Focus interchange with my 2003 Ford Focus SE?

  You’re talking about two distinct models of the Ford Focus, so if there’s any interchangeability it won’t be much. Perhaps there would be some mechanical parts in terms of the engine, but the 2007 model was a physically larger can than the original (2003) so even things like the suspension units and brakes are unlikely to be interchangeable.

  As for body panels and interior fittings, I doubt there’d be any interchangeability at all. The later car had different panels and the interiors were also completely different. Changes to styling also mean that headlights, tail-lights, glass and even detail things like door handles would not be interchangeable.

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• On my 2003 Ford Focus the rev counter, speedometer and temperature gauges only work on and off...

  Our first suspicion would be a bad earth somewhere on the vehicle. Dashboard faults are very often the result of a poor earth contact and the symptoms you describe are spot on for that very problem. So go around the car and check all the earthing points form the battery to the body of the car.

  You could also be dealing with a broken solder in part of the circuit-board that controls the dashboard, too. A good auto electrician will be able to test the circuit for breaks and bad solders and repair them quite cheaply. Ultimately, though, the cost of this repair will be determined by how much of the car has to be disassembled to remove the circuit-board.

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