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Ford Escort Electrical Problems

24

Comments

  • maxzepmaxzep Member Posts: 1
    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
  • stephanyfstephanyf Member Posts: 1
    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! :confuse:
  • sbpwavesbpwave Member Posts: 2
    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.
  • sbpwavesbpwave Member Posts: 2
    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.
  • florist1florist1 Member Posts: 2
    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.
  • zultekzultek Member Posts: 6
    95 Escort starts
    has wipers front and rear
    cooling fan works
    power windows work

    wagon tailgate open light is on constantly

    NO radio
    heater fan
    interior lights
    brake, signal lights
    doorlocks
    HELPPPPPPPPPPP!

    all fuses good no sign of relays burnt
  • amollohanamollohan Member Posts: 2
    I am wondering where I can find a wiring diagram for a 93 ford escort. I am currently having problems of a fuse blowing that runs the fuel pump. Also if anyone knows any other cause for it to blow the fuse other than a bare wire touching metal it would be appreciated.
  • chrisg88chrisg88 Member Posts: 4
    Hi, thanks before hand to whoever is reading!

    Recently had a smash on my, 1.4 ford escort lx (1997). The doors were destroyed, when the insurance came through, i bought another 1.6 ford escort zetec (ghia 1998.

    I decided to change the doors, when realizing they where electric windows/mirror

    central locking was what i already had!, didnt have the other 2

    I first stripped the floor from the 1.6 version and got the cable that runs throught bringing power to the doors. the problem is, that once i connected it all properly onto my other ford. I connected the window switches( the windows dont work), connected the mirror switches , those dont work either .. neither does the central locking .. which used to work before i took the doors out!... what could it be!
    i checked the fuses, put the 4 doors on just incase there was a broken circuit if the doors wernt all connected.. but nothing :( .. if theres somthing ive done wrong .. any connections that must be on to work... please let me know

    if anybody could possibly help please do so .. as i realllyy dont know what to do anymore!
  • marian7marian7 Member Posts: 1
    I just bought a 98 Escort ZX2 and have been having the same problem. The alarm sounds sporadically (sometimes at 1 or 2 in the morning!!) for no reason at all. Sometimes as soon as we shut it off and go back in the house it goes off again. I thought maybe an animal was jumping on the car and causing it to sound, but I was looking right at it the other day and there was nothing around to cause it to go off. Any ideas?
  • omfgsavemeomfgsaveme Member Posts: 1
    A couple of months ago the first speed of my wipers went out...no big deal.

    but now when you leave the lights on or the keys in the 'alarm' no longer goes off.

    the other day i tired to install an ew radio since my had been stolen and i hvnt had one for about a year...it wont work!!! wont even turn on...i have no idea whats wrong..fuses are all good.

    anyone konw?
  • danielidedanielide Member Posts: 2
    you can find the wiring and repair an install in chiltons repair manual..the pump is under the back seat..there is a 'fuse'' in the 'wiring harness' connected to the fuel pump.

    but i need your help..i need to know where the 'vacuum lines' go to an from the 'air idle controller ..ontop of the manifold..i also need the oem numbers on a 'egr tub'..it called a vacuum resevroir
  • bagshotrowbagshotrow Member Posts: 1
    So, I just got this used '95 escort and everything seemed to work. I spent the last two days putting in my own speakers and stereo. I tested the system after each connection, and everything worked great. Then, during the process of pushing the actual stereo unit into the dash, I must have been too rough with it, because now:

    - The stereo does not even turn on. (even though all my connections seem to be ok.)
    - The automatic seatbelts don't move, or try to move erratically.
    - I was able to move the power side mirror to the up and to the right, but it won't move down or to the left.
    - The two little dome lights in the ceiling don't work.
    - The tail lights don't light (only the brake lights)
    - The dash lights don't come on with the headlights anymore.
    - The beeping noise does not sound when you open the door.
    - The AC doesn't seem to be cold anymore. (But this could be my imagination.)

    Fuses seem OK, and replacing them doesn't seem to do anything anyway. Wipers and other things on the fusebox seem OK. I've heard that fuseboxes often fail on Escorts, but I can't see why that would have resulted from my mucking with the stereo. I'm quite discouraged and eager to get this fixed. Any ideas?
  • terrikayeterrikaye Member Posts: 9
    The alternator went out on my 98 escort. I replaced the battery and the alternator ( the parts store said they both tested bad) and now the main 100 amp fuse in the fuse box by the battery keeps blowing. Not sure what would cause this. I could use any ideas about what to look for ...I am lost. Thanks

    It's a 98 Ford Escort
    2.0 L engine
  • scott145scott145 Member Posts: 1
    i bought an escort 1.8gti iam having a problem with my indicators. my right side indicators work fine my left side indicators just dont work.ive checked the bulbs they havnt blown. ive put my hazards on to see if they work then and its only my right that works what can i do.
  • gibbo692gibbo692 Member Posts: 2
    i have a escort 1.6 lx 1995, the temp gauge does not work, any reasons why, or where i should look, thanks
  • bigbob77bigbob77 Member Posts: 2
    I have an 89 Hatchback which is in great condition...50k original miles!

    Just last week, the aftermarket radio and cabin lights stopped working. I first thought of the fuses and checked them out.

    The cabin lights fuse (15amp) was fried. I replaced it and as soon as I touch the new fuse in, it sparks and fries another. Does anyone know how I can trace what might be causing the short?

    I checked the radio fuse (15amp) and it looked good, but I replaced anyway. No power. I removed the radio to check wiring, etc. All looked good. No in-line fuses. Any ideas on what could be causing the outtage?

    I appreciate the ideas/help. Thanks,
    Bob
  • bigbob77bigbob77 Member Posts: 2
    Did you ever determine what was causing your problem? I have an 89 hatchback with no interior lights and radio. All were working fine until last week.

    Thanks!
    Bob
    [email protected]
  • EscortuplandEscortupland Member Posts: 1
    i have the same problem with A 97 wagon and when I tried a 20 amp fuse it didn't blow but the markerand park lights stayed on at a diminished amount. Did you ever find out where the circuit was shorting???
  • pdallardpdallard Member Posts: 1
    1994 Escort LX: Last night I returned home and the car ran fine. I went to crank it 20 mins later to run to the store. I put the key in and turned it to the first "Click" as I always do, the panel lights came on, radio, seat belt ingaged, etc. Then I turned to crank it and nothing...It felt like there were no tumblers there, just empty. I then turned the key back and removed it and all my panel lights radio lights, etc. were still on. I did this several times and they stayed on. I had no lights to disconnect the battery so it died overnight, no problem I can get a jump. I've been told it may be the relay, fuse, needs graphite, etc. but the way the key moves in the switch just feels not right. I did try my spare key as well. If the switch is the problem how hard is it to replace.

    Thanks so much for this forum and any help would be greatly appreciated...

    Paul
  • twobig86twobig86 Member Posts: 1
    Hi my 1997 Ford Escort Wagon's dash lights are not working...rather all the lights for signaling and warning lights are working just not the bulbs that light up the fuel guage and the speedometer and the engine temp. So basically I can't see how fast I am going at night...

    I lost my manual and by looking at the fuses they seem fine, I'm thinking of checking a test light but does anyone know where the fuse that I need to look at is located?

    I checked the bulbs and they look fine. One was burned out but I have replaced it...there are 5 bulbs and none of them are turning on.

    Lastly I have checked the dimmer switch and its not the cause.

    Thanks,

    Michael
  • rem1945rem1945 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 93 wagon with 53000 miles on it. It hasn't been ran much for about 5 years. I had trouble starting it. Put in a new battery and it seemed to help. Then it quit starting again. It won't do anything. In the process the shift cable broke. I replaced it. still didn't start. I replaced the neutral safety switch. It will not do anything when trying to start. I am new to this site. Hope it is posted in the right place. Any ideas; Larry
  • gibbo692gibbo692 Member Posts: 2
    i have a escort 1.6 cl, when it is started it runs too fast , i am told this is ok, but i think it is not, its as though the choke is stuck on , it makes it quite dangerous to drive for about 10 mins after starting. though the car starts well it just does not seem right. if it is not the choke, what else could it be
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    At this point, the only thing left is the starter itself. With that much downtime over the last 5 years, that would have been my second choice after the battery.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • rem1945rem1945 Member Posts: 3
    I put a starter in it about 6 months ago. It was my second choice after battery
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Then you need a good electrical checkup. Check the voltage on the alternator, ignition switch, starter relay, and make sure your cables have good current flow. Somewhere in there you're losing the circuit.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • tracethistracethis Member Posts: 3
    My daughters 98 Tracer stalls on the highway in wet weather. Same problem? Did you figure it out??
  • florist1florist1 Member Posts: 2
    No, no one has been able to figure out my problem. The car is sitting. Sorry. But that is what my car did, just died driving down the road.
  • mikelauzonmikelauzon Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone have a diagram showing where the PRS(electric seatbelt) relay is?
  • mamajewlsmamajewls Member Posts: 1
    Hi! I have a 97 ford escort. We thought the alternator went out in the car. so we took it out and had it tested well its fine. we out a new battery in and it started right up, however, the wipers and the AC stopped working. So we changed the fuse on the wipers and as soon as we put it in and turned the ac and wipers worked. bery shortly after the fuse blew. we think it might be the wiring. anyone had this issue and if so how did you fix it??? thanks
  • tazkbjrtazkbjr Member Posts: 1
    Hi-
    I have a '94 Ford Escort LX Wagon (Automatic), with about 57,000miles. I have been having trouble the last few months with it. When the car gets to a high RPM in 1st gear, it just shuts off and won't re-start. I took it to my mechanic, and they figured out that the fuse for the fuel injectors keeps breaking. It has now been at the Ford dealer for about 2 months, and they can't figure out what is wrong either. Any comments or assistance you could provide would be awesome!
    Thanks!
  • westside01westside01 Member Posts: 1
    I Have a Ford Escort 94 LX Wagon. I had luck fixing with these issues this past week. There is a relay in the engine on the right side facing the driverside. I replaced this and it was helpful - purchased one at the junk yard. Also I have a wagon and it has a wiring harness that goes from the rear body into the rear hatch. The harness was cut / pinched by the door and it had effected all of my whole car. The tail lights failed , rear wiper stayed on , door locks always up and down, blowing headlight / tailight fuses, fuel pump promlems, step on break while driving dim lights and releasing safety switch on power train. Bottom line check rear hatch and all door to see if wire are damaged behind that boot. I started out 2 years ago with this problem and I resolved the issue by having help from others on the site. When I first noticed the problem 2 years ago it started with my main fuse box fusing together behind the fuses under the dash - had to replace this as well -junk yard. Bottom line you have something fused, broken wires and something grounding out.
  • stealthmcstealthmc Member Posts: 1
    Hello All,
    I have a 2000 Ford Escort and I appear to have no brake lights, while they do not illuminate when I turn the front lights on, also the dash board lights do not work. However the head lights,radio,cigarette lighter still okay.
    Strange in that I replaced a blown fuse (dash) yesterday and as soon as I turned key back on it blew right away.

    I appear to have a similar problem to others in the thread and would be grateful for any help.

    Thanks in advance.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    That is definitely a short.

    You should be able to turn the lights on without having the key in the ignition. So, try replacing the fuse and turning on the running lights (no headlights, but marker, tail lights, and dash/console lights will illuminate). If it blows again, the short is in that circuit, if it it does not, the short is in something that is switched with the ignition. Also, you have "accessory" and "on"; does it blow at accessory, or at on?

    I apologize that I cannot be more help; these electrical gremlins just require a lot of time and effort to hunt down. Also, do your brake lights not work (pressing brake pedal) or your tail lights, or both?
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • sugarbear5319sugarbear5319 Member Posts: 1
    The shut off switch is bad.I had the same problem and that is what it was.Good Luck J.L. Mooneyham :cry:
  • prc_bprc_b Member Posts: 1
    Hello All,
    I have a 94 Ford Escort Wagon, 1.9L Automatic with the strangest problems. When I turn off the car and remove the key, the heater (A/C) blower and the windshield wipers will continue to operate. Also, the A/C button will light if pushed while fan is blowing, as when the car is running. These issues are not major; we just have to remember to turn everything off whenever we park the car.
    I have checked the fuses and have even replaced the ignition switch with no luck. Has anyone seen anything like this or know where to start looking? I can’t see a common component or relay that would cause this issue. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.
    -Bill
  • chase44chase44 Member Posts: 2
    My 93 Escort LX is having a problem due to the rear hatch wiring. A broken wire there can definitely make the car have problems. In my case, I noticed that the rear window defroster switch started to stay lit, even when the defroster was off. If the car is running and you push down on the switch the word "ON" gets brighter and the rear window gets warm, as it should. If the car is off and you press the switch down the instrument panel warning lights all come on and the key in ignition buzzer can be heard. Nothing else on the dashboard, such as the the radio or heater fan seems to be activated by it. If you lift the rear hatch about a foot the switch light goes out and the warning icons will not light; it's acting as it should. ( I checked the hatch door switches, they're not the problem.) Today I found that if you start the car, engage the rear window defroster switch, you can take the key out of the ignition and it continues running! :surprise: Press the switch so it is in the OFF position and the car stops running. Definitely there's a wire back feeding to other circuits. Today I removed the 10amp "Room" fuse and the problem went away. My guess is the wire for the inside light on the rear hatch door is the problem. Now I need to look inside the door. Any ideas how to pull that plastic panel off the rear hatch without breaking something?
  • wjrpdxwjrpdx Member Posts: 1
    just started having the same issue on my 96 wagon. did you find the cause. some help would be great. thanks
  • supergrim69supergrim69 Member Posts: 1
    my 94 escort dash lights and gages, the power seat belts, turn signals, all dont work. the head lights hazards and everything does work. all fuses are good the car doesn't start. i was driving and stoped to get gas and then it all happened i have no idea what the problem is. if anyone can help me with this that would be great.
  • lisabiflisabif Member Posts: 1
    i am not getting spark... a few months ago my 87 escort did not start, put in anew battery and it drained over night... so tested the alternator... it was bad so put in a new alternator. now i have a new but dead battery and a new alternator,, i had my car jumped to start it but it wouldnt start. i took off the fuel filter and it was clogged and old so i put in a new fuel filter... still not starting... then found that the fuel pump is not turning on and there is no spark under the hood. where would i find the main fuse box under the hood...?
  • valkorvalkor Member Posts: 3
    1997 escort 2.0 died on the road at 60mph wont start very low spark at plug wire. Replaced coil pack no change pulled plug and primed with ether did not fire and yes I was very quick putting plug back in. Help!!!!! Is there an ignition control module?
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    Have you checked the resistance in the plug wires?
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • valkorvalkor Member Posts: 3
    no, my meter's dead but the wires are pretty new. If the wire on #1 is bad would that keep the rest from firing?
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    No, they all run independently. I had a spark problem last year on my Escort (same vehicle/engine as yours) and thought for sure it was not the wires because they were not that old, but alas it was the wires and all was well after I replaced them.

    If your ignition coil is new, the only things that could cause the problem are bad wires/plugs or some fault in the electrical supplying the coil.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • valkorvalkor Member Posts: 3
    Is there an icm (ignition control module) ? What controls the electric to the coil?
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    I would have to consult the wiring diagrams in my Haynes manual on that one, but I think it is controlled directly by the ECM.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • kwhit76kwhit76 Member Posts: 1
    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. Prior to the first time this happened, the cruise control stopped working. Any suggestions? Thank you.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    Have you checked your battery when this happens (before being jumped) to verify that it is, indeed, dead? If it is, there is a load (short?) somewhere that is draining the battery when the car is off. If the battery is okay but the car is not receiving power, your problem is likely a bad ground.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • sparishsparish Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1998 ford escort van, No lights work at all including interior light, the dash lights do not work, oil light etc. The indicators work but not the hazard warning lights. Does anyone have any ideas please
  • sparishsparish Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    did you ever find out what the problem was as i seem to have a similar problem.
    thanks
  • tellesactellesac Member Posts: 1
    I have two what look like some kind of switches. It is a pair that sit right above the alternator and too the right. They are black and made by Mitsubishi. There are two air lines attached to each one of them. The air lines attach to the bottoms and to the sides of each. They slide into a brass bar that is bolted down to the manifold or near it. I need to find out what the hack these are because my parts guys here in Citrus Heights, California have no clue what they are. Both of my are old and now broken. Can anyone out there help me?
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