Ford Focus: Ford Focus 2000 LE US Problems and Solutions Used and Wanted

I purchased a 2000 Ford Focus LE Sedan used in May, 2001. I use it as
a daily commute and familiy car.

Here is the issues I have had, and what I have done to get around some
of them, and those that I still have.

1. Won’t start/key won’t turn - called my grandfather-in-law who is a
locksmith, he looked at it determined some of the tumblers were bent,
whacked key in ignition with hammer, like driving the key into the
ignition like a nail. Fixed. Has re-occurred three times since in
two years, slapping with flat of hand to hit key inward while in
ignition has resolved it.

2. Stuttering / Stalling while idle and loss of power - turned out to
be a hose, coming out from the engine towards the passenger
compartment, the looping down to the air filter had a hole burned in
it. Replaced twice. There is a whistling noise from the engine when
this is happening. $37 part. This after the dealer replaced the coil
and spark plugs twice to no avail for this problem.

3. Brake Lights only the third or upper light works. Still haven’t
tracked this down. Suggestions welcome. Same bulb is the flasher for
turning, and works for turning, removing bulb turning 180 degrees and
re-inserting, the other filament is used for turn signal, and works.
So not bulbs.

4. Heater/AC fan. Fan stopped working on 1 and 2, but on 3 and 4,
then only on 3 intermittantly, and eventually gave up completely.
This is the other unresolved. Have seen other posts about heater and
will be taking stereo out once I obtain code and instructions from
dealer. Further suggestions also welcome on this.

5. Windshield cracking - its happened twice, no accident or rocks
hitting before it happened.

Any and all suggestions welcome for the other issues.

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I have a 2000 Ford Focus and having the same problem to # 1. last year in
August and had the dealership fix it...thank god for warranties, well now my
warranty has run out and thinking about trading it in, since I have had many
other problems with the car. Well today it so happened that my key would not
turn while I was at the car wash ready to leave. Thank god for my brother!
We hauled it off back home and there it sat there all day while I was doing
other things. Finally I got on here to see if anyone was having the same
problem with their key's not turning...and in all I just want to say thank
god for the hand slapping, it work for me lol!!! And I have the same problem
on #5. My only solution is to get rid of the car!

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