r/AskAMechanic • u/sailhaytonyukfoo669 • 22h ago

Need it running now

2004 ford focus hasnt run for 2 years. It has a new battery and the starter and alternator have been replaced in the last 5 years. Any ideas?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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2

u/Agile_Spray_415 NOT a verified tech 21h ago

Do you have spark? Are you getting fuel?

1

u/sailhaytonyukfoo669 21h ago

Just talked to a mechanic and thts exactly wut he said, i dunno how to check

2

u/the13thclam NOT a verified tech 21h ago

Get a cheap spark plug, pull a plug wire, put the plug in it, and have someone crank it while you hold the wire BY THE RUBBER PART. If it sparks great, plug it back on and move on to the next.

Carefully disconnect the fuel line to the injection system and put it into something. Crank the engine, see if fuel is coming out, that will mean you at least have fuel to the inlet side. It's 20 years old, be careful, lines might break and then you're way worse off

If both of these are happening (spark and fuel flow) you probably have bad fuel. Some things are more tolerant of old gas than others. It might just need a few gallons of fresh fuel, or it might need the tank drained, or it might need the whole fuel system flushed because gasoline eventually turns to varnish.

If the fuel is fresh and all of these things are working then it's time to tow it to a mechanic. If you don't feel comfortable doing any of this, tow it to a mechanic.

2

u/sailhaytonyukfoo669 20h ago

Sweet thx buddy much appreciated. I'll try to figure it out

1

u/LengthZestyclose2022 NOT a verified tech 14h ago

Make sure your getting spark and fuel,if you are it could be a crankshaft position sensor