# 1999 Ford Focus - Lights but no action

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-ford-focus-lights-but-no-action/152531>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford\
**Created:** [November 11, 2019, 1:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-ford-focus-lights-but-no-action/152531 "2019-11-11T01:15:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BOBTREY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9a140/32.png) [@BOBTREY](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BOBTREY)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 1:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-ford-focus-lights-but-no-action/152531/1 "2019-11-11T01:15:19Z")

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Car was starting just fine noise from starter. Went to go start it and nothing. RED LIGHTS ALL LIT UP ON DASH BOARD LIKE USUAL BUT NOTHING ELSE. lights didnt dim at all when i turned the keyChecked for spark there wasnt any

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**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-ford-focus-lights-but-no-action/152531/2 "2019-11-12T21:23:14Z")

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Your starter is probably worned after 20 years of service. Should cost you less than $120 if you replace it yourself.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-ford-focus-lights-but-no-action/152531/3 "2019-11-12T21:29:37Z")

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To check for a **WORN** starter, take something a baseball bat and give the starter a couple of good whacks.

If the starter works, replace the starter.

Tester

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**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 12:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-ford-focus-lights-but-no-action/152531/4 "2019-11-13T00:18:51Z")

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Used the same method on a 1500 Fiat when I was in college. Carried a hammer with me. After graduating I sold the car… and the hammer

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-ford-focus-lights-but-no-action/152531/5 "2019-11-13T03:16:09Z")

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If automatic trans, faulty neutral safety switch is another possibility. Try starting in N rather than P. And try slightly moving the gear selector lever one way then the other as you turn the key to start.