Hi folks, I am trying to help out a friend that has a '03 SVT Focus. When he first starts it up in the AM, it runs like crap for a few minutes, until it warms up, then it seems to run just fine. He has had it in the shop several times for this complaint with no luck. He and the local Ford dealer has talked to the Ford technical department and their reply is "That's the nature of the beast". Is there anyone else out there, with an SVT model, that is experiencing the same problem? He's thinking about trying to go "lemon law" on this thing. Ciao, Ice

Here's the first TSB. Was this done yet??   See ya, Nick          Printable View (134 KB) Article No.
03-4-4 DRIVEABILITY - ROUGH, ROLLING, OR HIGH IDLE OR STALL - MAINLY AFTER COLD START - SVT MODELS ONLY ENGINE - INTAKE SEPARATION AT RUBBER BOOTS - SVT MODELS ONLY Publication

TSB #2. The latest and greatest PCM reflash. This solved most of the issuses with my SVT. If this car was brought to a dealer and these weren't done, I suggest you find a new dealer.   See ya, Nick        Printable View (32 KB) Article No.
03-19-11 DRIVEABILITY - VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS - HARD START/NO START - BATTERY LAMP FLICKER ELECTRICAL - VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS - HARD START/NO START - BATTERY LAMP FLICKER Publication

I'm not sure this applies as his is an '03. In any case, the service manager at the local Ford dealer has already checked all of the TSBs and SSMs, but I'll pass this on to him anyway. Who knows, maybe this one was overlooked. Thanx for your help Nick. Ciao, Ice

Ditto Ciao, Ice

Make sure the car has the latest PCM update. It doesn't matter what year it is.   See ya, Nick

Will do. Thanx again. Ciao, Ice

Just wanted to let you know that I have had this problem. At first it was surging and when first started the rpm's would skyrocket. I had all of the flashes done and have had some of the probems correct themselves. However, now it is giving me a new issue in the mornings. It is acting like it isn't getting enough fuel to start. It does the whirring thing and then eventually catches and starts. If I turn the key to the start position and let it sit there for about 30 seconds it will start right up and not give me any issue. I have it at the dealership right now to see if they can figure it out. I will post if I get any news on this. Tracy =0)

Ckeck fuel filter.

Tracy - Any response back from your dealership? I took my BRAND NEW '04 SVT ZX5 to the dealership (days owned = 24, days in shop = 14 days) for the exact same reasons detailed in your post and in earlier threads. The master technician is quite competent and he performed all relevant PCMs (including those detailed earlier in this thread) without success. I contacted the Ford Tech Help line and their response is - "that's just the nature of the beast". That is completely unacceptable to me. Any feedback is appreciated. -Cal

Hey this may sound kind of mundane but  you should let your car sit in idle for 30 seconds anyways, to get the oil flowing in the engine, and recirculate itself.  your call will last alot longer and you will get rid of that early morning problem as well.  make sure you give your car enough gas, i had the same problem as well. see ya Nolan