Ford Escape 2004 Won't start after being idle for 1 year - Ford Forums

e_Yiorgos · 12-26-2007, 21:54

T=2004 Escape, low mileage never used for a year or more. A couple of time sit was tarted it was ok. Then no one attempted to start it for long untill tehg alarm went off once an dthen later on the battery went dead. Charging the battery and trying jump start did not work. Now I see the remopte control doesn show any effect or sign for locking/unlucking the doors (like dead) and while the engine turns it seems that it can't get gass. When used a bit of those garburator sprays and spay it in the air way it seemed it start turning but for as long as that spay lasted. I herd people telling me it is the gas pump disabled as been connected to the alarm system an dothers say my gass turned in gell and cluged the fuel line or have water in the tank. All these are speculations. I put dry gasss an dline cleaner in the gass tank and added on topo of it some fresh gass hoping to disolve any gel an dabsorb the water. Some also say maybe the ignition key is not in synch with the computer - got deprogrammed for some reason. Nothing helped.

Any help from you out there?

**360ci** · 01-05-2008, 10:02

I don't believe the escapes have a fuel pump reset switch but I could be wrong, if there is one it's undoubtedly located in the rear cargo area around the wheel wells (you might try removing some plastic panels to check). I'd take the battery out and get it tested at a local shop. If the battery's good then reinstall it. If it still won't start try new spark plugs as the old ones may have rusted within the cylinder and add a couple gallons of hi-test fuel.

To store any vehicle for a prolonged period you should always disconnect the battery at both terminals - to avoid draining the battery and to keep the electrical system in working order. Second, there are fuel stabilizers you can add to the tank. It's too late now to add them as the old fuel is sitting in the lines. If fuel sits for prolonged periods, especially under pressure it will deteriorate itself by leaving carbon deposits in the injectors, lines, regulator etc. Another good measure when about to store the vehicle is to remove the spark plugs, spray ani-fogging oil into the cylinders to prevent seizing and rust then reinstall the plugs.

e_Yiorgos · 01-05-2008, 23:51

360ci "I don't believe the escapes have a fuel pump reset switch but I could be wrong, if there is one it's undoubtedly located in the rear cargo area around the wheel wells (you might try removing some plastic panels to check)."

FYI. The owners manual says there is one and I fount the fuel cutoff switch as it is indicated. It's in the front passenger's side on the right side wall near the passenger's right foot.

Thanks for your help. I will try testing teh battery although the bayyrty's eye shows green. As I said in my base note. With that starter spay I managed to make the engine turn for several seconds but only for as long as the spy lasted. It just shows signs of not getting any gas to keep working.

e_Yiorgos · 01-15-2008, 20:34

I tested the battery and it is OK. I noticed that my alarm is down (dead) and someone suspected that the alarm is the reason for the cutoff of the fuel pumping. Does Form cutoff the fuel pump when the alarm goes off or it is dead?

jmanfish · 03-02-2008, 22:40

if it has an electronic immobilizer, yes it does cut the fuel off. and it has to do a lot with the alarm... turning the car on without the alarm properly deactivating the immobilizer results into exactly this, no fuel.

e_Yiorgos · 03-13-2008, 00:15

Ref: ///if it has an electronic immobilizer, yes it does cut the fuel off. and it has to do a lot with the alarm... turning the car on without the alarm properly deactivating the immobilizer results into exactly this, no fuel.///

Thanks for the reply and I am still looking for a solution.
It looks like it all behaves as you described.

How can I deactivate the alarm or reset it or do whatever it has to be done with it so I can start the car?