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Ford Escort Electrical Problems

138 messages,  Last post on Apr 03, 2013 at 5:04 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Escort, Electrical, Wagon

Messages Page 14 of 15

#124 of 138 Re: 1991 Ford Escort 4dr [kcountryman] by xwesx

Sep 07, 2011 (9:02 am)

Replying to: kcountryman (Sep 06, 2011 5:24 pm)
Tough to narrow it down at this point, but when you get "nothing," do you mean that in a literal sense? No interior dome light, no radio, absolutely nothing? Or, do you get those things, but no response from the starter?
 
If the latter, it may simply be a connection issue, such as excess corrosion on the battery cable, a loose/dirty connection, etc. Try cleaning the negative terminal and cable connections, then reattach and try again. If that makes no difference, try tapping on your starter with a mallet or hammer a couple of times, then attempt to start......
 
Anything?

#125 of 138 Black Harness attached to Battery's Neg Terminal by t0b1n

Nov 28, 2011 (5:59 pm)

I have a 97 ford escort lx with a wiring harness attached to the Negative battery post. Something in that setup is draining the battery but without it the car wont start or run so any ideas how to fix this? I've charged the battery and it stays charged unless I reconnect that harness then it's drained dry. If I remove it while the car is running it dies.">
 
My car got jumped a while back and things got connected backwards so had to replace the 100amp fuse and get a new battery. The harness issue and the Dead radio are the only unresolved issues, may be related some how?
 
I'm including a picture so you can see the harness I'm talking about, though the pic isn't of mine. It's just for identification.
 
Thanks in advance for any time and replies.

#126 of 138 Re: Black Harness attached to Battery's Neg Terminal [t0b1n] by xwesx

Nov 29, 2011 (10:29 am)

Replying to: t0b1n (Nov 28, 2011 5:59 pm)
Your short is likely due to melted wire sheathing, but *where* it is located may be the more difficult part of fixing it.
 
How long does the battery take to drain out?

#127 of 138 Re: Black Harness attached to Battery's Neg Terminal [xwesx] by t0b1n

Dec 02, 2011 (10:26 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 29, 2011 10:29 am)
I thought about that too but why would it run fine for 2 days and one overnight stay with no issues and THEN start this. I don't know how long it takes but no more than a night.
 
Can a missing defroster fuse be the cause? It's the only thing "off" I can find.

#128 of 138 Re: Black Harness attached to Battery's Neg Terminal [t0b1n] by xwesx

Dec 02, 2011 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: t0b1n (Dec 02, 2011 10:26 am)
It's not directly grounded, then. You said the radio wasn't working earlier, yet the fuse is fine? Have you considered pulling the fuse to the radio and seeing if that helps? Basically, what you're getting is similar to a dome light being left on.... a constant drain that pulls enough current to cause the battery to go dead with enough time, but not a direct short that would discharge the battery very quickly.
 
So, things not being connected would not cause this. Something is on and not turning off when it should. You could start pulling fuses and see when it stops; that should help narrow it down. Start with the main fuse, then go from there. A multimeter would be very helpful here.

#129 of 138 Re: Black Harness attached to Battery's Neg Terminal [xwesx] by t0b1n

Dec 05, 2011 (5:01 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Dec 02, 2011 2:23 pm)
Thanks a lot. After many days of looking and fiddling. I think I may have figured it out. I need to take it to get tested to be sure. If I read things correctly, I could have blown the regulator on the alternator as well.
 
When you say multimeter. I have a little gadget that clips on to a grounding spot and the pen like meter lights up if there's power. How would I use that to test certain fuses?

#130 of 138 Re: Black Harness attached to Battery's Neg Terminal [t0b1n] by xwesx

Dec 05, 2011 (10:31 am)

Replying to: t0b1n (Dec 05, 2011 5:01 am)
No, that's not likely going to do it. That tester only tells you if there is power present. If the one you have is for DC, you might at least be able to know if there is current somewhere there shouldn't be! A multimeter will actually tell you how much.
 
A multimeter is a testing device with a dial on the front that lets you select a variety of options, from resistance (measures ohms), direct current, alternating current, etc. Hence the name. It uses prongs like the tester you have, but has either a needle gauge if analog or a digital readout. You can go spendy to very cheap ($20-25), but either type should do the trick for your purposes.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter

#131 of 138 Ford Escort '99 will not start by gordon41

Dec 28, 2011 (4:49 am)

My 1999 Ford Escort will not turn at all. After jumping it will start. I had the battery and alternator checked and both were found to be normal. However, after sitting for a period of time there is no power to the car, no lights, key fob won't work, no radio, etc..., completely dead battery.I replaced the starter to but find out that starter was OK.

#132 of 138 Re: Ford Escort '99 will not start [gordon41] by xwesx

Jan 02, 2012 (4:56 pm)

Replying to: gordon41 (Dec 28, 2011 4:49 am)
If you disconnect the battery between uses, does it work when you attempt to start? If so, then the previous conversation applies to your situation as well.... you have something remaining on or shorted when the car is otherwise off.

#133 of 138 Re: 99 Escort Alarm issue [marian7] by steven53219

Jan 27, 2012 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: marian7 (May 12, 2008 7:11 am)
the hood pin under the hood in front left side is what is making your alarm go off i have a 1999 ford escort same problem and i unplugged it and the alarm stopped from going off by itself it's that pin that is making it go off

Messages Page 14 of 15

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