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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 6 of 14

#48 of 138 1994 Ford Escort LX with a weird problem. help by davej11011

Jan 20, 2008 (11:58 pm)

I have a 1994 Ford Escort LX with a weird problem.
My car wouldn’t start at one point, and then only after excessive crank time did it actually start and then no problem for a week, then it did it again and it was once again fine for a week, then it did it again and I haven’t been able to start it since, now there is no spark, no fuel pump no quick power on self test through the dash lights (ie: now check engine light lights up for 5 seconds and then goes out once I’ve initiated the ignition process)in addition the automatic seat belts do not operate and I know it isn’t flooding out. So I need some help here guys anyone who has any ideas throw them my way… thanks

#49 of 138 Re: escort tail lights dash lights number plate lights dont work tried everythi [liverpoolfan] by droitwich88

Jan 25, 2008 (11:32 am)

Replying to: liverpoolfan (Nov 24, 2007 9:08 am)
hi i have got the same problem i was wondering if you have solved the fault. i would be very greatful if you could reply
many thanks

#50 of 138 Re: escort tail lights dash lights number plate lights dont work tried everythi [droitwich88] by davej11011

Jan 28, 2008 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: droitwich88 (Jan 25, 2008 11:32 am)
we did finly get it. it was real easy!
it was just the ignistion switch.
it had burnt the other three contacts out but not the the contact for the starter.
i have been finding out that that is a common problem in the escorts.
good luck

#51 of 138 1991 Ford Escort GT need some advice by bellsouthpoker

Jan 28, 2008 (10:01 pm)

My brother n law owns a 1991 ford escort 1.8L GT and we are having a problem fixing it. Recently it had been running with very little power (i.e when going up hill it lost power and slowed the car down drastically). We were working on it, pulled the distributor cap off, noticed that the contacts on the cap were dirty, scraped them and put the dist. cap back on. Before we pulled the cap off it was running, just with little power. When we put the cap back on, it stopped running. Today we replaced the cap and well....you guessed it, the engine is turning over now...it just won't finish firing up. Anyone have any suggestions on what it could be?

#52 of 138 Re: escort tail lights dash lights number plate lights dont work tried everythi [droitwich88] by davef7

Jan 29, 2008 (7:07 am)

Replying to: droitwich88 (Jan 25, 2008 11:32 am)
Hi, the problem is in the stalk/indicator assembly, you can get a used one for £15 or £30 for a new one. My advice is get the new one as it might be cheaper in the long run,I got a used one but that is playing up a bit so I`ll get a new one now.
They`re really easy to fit,get a dumpy scewdriver to undo the stalk and a small "star" bit for the housing if I remember correct,the electrics are on plugs,just unplug,dead easy.Another good tip,find which fuse it uses and take it out before fitting and replace afterwards (I blew mine twice).
Good luck
Dave (Everton fan)

#53 of 138 Re: 1991 Ford Escort Wagon "Only half the dashboard lights up" [elmasto] by maxzep

Jan 29, 2008 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: elmasto (Jun 03, 2007 9:50 am)
elmasto
 
I noted your post of June 3 2007 and I didn't see any reply...
 
Last night,I lost the left half of my dash lights and have been all over the web looking for a stright answer.....Did you ever get one ? ....
 
Thanks

#54 of 138 No dashlights & Heater is wierd by stephanyf

Mar 13, 2008 (7:26 pm)

Fall 2007: I noticed my dash lights were getting pretty dim, and eventually they went out completely. They haven't worked at all for close to six months now. My interior light isn't working either but I went to a shop and they said the "button" on the door just needed to be replaced. Ok, I can handle that. However, about 2 months ago, I had to replace my ignition switch as well. I would turn the car OFF and then take the key OUT of the ignition and the car acted like it was trying to start!! OMG! The only way I could NOT have it happen till I get it to the shop was to leave the keys in the ignition in the off position, and I think I may have had to leave it in neutral and put the emergency break up to stop it from moving. (luckily I live in a quiet safe area...relatively). So NOW my heater is acting really weird too. About a month ago my heater was on full blast because NY weather SUCKS and is very cold often....and the heater just totally cut out. I turned it off and then back on again and eventually, it came on, but in it's own time. It's been doing this on and off since then, but this past week, it stopped working for 3 days solid, which is putting a crimp in seeing out my front window on frosty mornings when I need to get to work. So I took it back in to the shop and had plugs and wires sone up and asked them to take a look at it. Heater started right up. That was yesterday afternoon. This morning I got in the car again...to NO heater. GRRRRRRRRRRR I'm just trying to baby my car up to make it last and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas what this could be all about. The AC hasn't worked since my front end collision 4 years ago, but everything like the radiator and front end is virtually new now...I think that may just need a charge. I had the battery checked and cleaned off as much surface corrosion as I could. Battery is fine according to a professional battery guage.
  Any sugestions are welcome!

#55 of 138 Re: No dash lights [davef7] by sbpwave

Mar 25, 2008 (9:18 am)

Replying to: davef7 (Sep 04, 2007 10:22 am)
The fuse box itself could be the problem but that's rare. All owners of older Escorts need to check to see if the heater core under the dash is leaking little drips of fluid which drips down and shorts out at wire connectors. Of course the main computer can go out but that is rare.

#56 of 138 97 Escort wagon electical drain. Fan stays on, etc. by sbpwave

Mar 25, 2008 (9:46 am)

The Escort motor ran ok but cool according to the gauges. Changed the two temp senders near the thermostat and changed the thermostat because the thermostat gasket had deteriorated. The fan that was staying on when the engine was shut off even if the engine was cool required a new fan relay, but we put in a used one because new ones are $165. Still had an electrical drain somewhere causing a dead battery. As a test we switched out the main computer and no change so put the old computer back.
The problem turned out to be a SMALL LEAK FROM THE HEATER CORE under the dash dripping little drops of liqiud onto one of the multiple wire connectors under the dash, causing a short or multiple shorts. Big hassle to get to the heater core. Heater core is $45 new but to change it requires a dash pull out. You'll need also the foam gasket that goes around the heater core cause the other one is hard to reuse.
 
Of course there are other potential causes like other worn out switches, relays, connectors, and I've heard of bad fuse boxes.

#57 of 138 1995 Ford Escot Wagon by florist1

Mar 31, 2008 (11:00 am)

My car has had just about everything imaginable replaced on it & then it just died. My mechanic has given up on it because he has checked everything & cannot figure out why it won't run. It is an electrical problems but the codes are limited & he has checked to no avail. does anyone have any ideas? he said all the parts work fine but something electrical is preventing it from starting. Its funny because I drove it to the shop, it was giving us problems, like dying in the middle of the highway, no slope, level ground, just dies. it did it repeatedly & so many things were repaired but nothing has worked this time. I really need to fix this car. Please help me. Thanks.

Messages Page 6 of 14

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