94 escort wont start - Ford Forums

Ollaff · 07-30-2008, 11:52

Last week the car started dying whenever i was in traffic and had stop and go often. It would start back up up just fine. 2 days ago it wouldn't start, i found the positive battery connection was loose so i cleaned it up and tightened it and it started.

After that the car would start cranking when i pushed the clutch in, even if the keys weren't in the ignition. I could get it started if the keys were turned. Yesterday it stopped starting and AAA came and checked my battery, said it was bad. AAA guy gave me a jump but it didnt start. He thought it was the starter, and we pushed the car to pop the clutch and i got the car home.

I can still start the car when i short the solenoid connector and the starter connector if the keys are turned. But when i try to start it by pushing the clutch & turning the key i just hear a clicking noise from two little boxes in upper left corner under the hood. They look like relays but im not sure what for. Also, with test light, I do have power going to the solenoid when the key is turned, although the light comes on when the key is only half turned and not in the start position. I dont see any wires that look shorted and ive tested the clutch switch and its working. Any Ideas anyone?

phantom_smack · 07-30-2008, 12:16

Sounds like you need to start with cleaning the battery terminals they are real important especialy on the escort the way the cable is designed.Verify no blown fuses and sometimes a you can light a test lamp but it wont carry a load.You would need to check it with a tail lamp bulb wired to both filiments or anybulb that will drw some amps.

Ollaff · 07-30-2008, 12:42

Forgot to mention, I did replace the battery with a brand new one and i cleaned the connects and cut back a little of the wire going to the batter because it looked corroded. I'm confident the battery and the wires hooked up directly to the battery are fine. I'm no expert though. Right now i'm thinking it might be something to do with the ignition switch, or a short somewhere, but i don't see any exposed/melted wires anywhere. Thanks for your input, any more is greatly appreciated.

thefonz · 07-30-2008, 13:32

Most likely a bad connection. They all must be clean and tight. Battery to solenoid to starter. Ground and positive wires are equally important. I think you'll find this to be your problem.

Sterling_Six · 08-24-2008, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollaff

Last week the car started dying whenever i was in traffic and had stop and go often. It would start back up up just fine. 2 days ago it wouldn't start, i found the positive battery connection was loose so i cleaned it up and tightened it and it started.

After that the car would start cranking when i pushed the clutch in, even if the keys weren't in the ignition. I could get it started if the keys were turned. Yesterday it stopped starting and AAA came and checked my battery, said it was bad. AAA guy gave me a jump but it didnt start. He thought it was the starter, and we pushed the car to pop the clutch and i got the car home.

I can still start the car when i short the solenoid connector and the starter connector if the keys are turned. But when i try to start it by pushing the clutch & turning the key i just hear a clicking noise from two little boxes in upper left corner under the hood. They look like relays but im not sure what for. Also, with test light, I do have power going to the solenoid when the key is turned, although the light comes on when the key is only half turned and not in the start position. I dont see any wires that look shorted and ive tested the clutch switch and its working. Any Ideas anyone?

Either you have a Bad Ground some where to the Starter Solenoid, or you have a Bad ignition switch....I would bet on the ignition switch...Escorts are well know for this.