I have a '99 Escort with about 110,000/m on it. I got an oil change last monday and it ran fine until Thirsday. On thursday I turn it on and the battery light comes on. It is ok for about a mile then my air bag light and my low fuel light start flashing on and off and I have gas. It starts to like chug a little whenever I stop. My blinkers and window are very slow responding and then my speedometer, odometer, and gas and engine temp. levels reset like the car is off and are not working. All this happens at the same time so I just drove home and shut it off and haven't drove it since. Any Idea what this could be? Just some backround info: I had my battery replaced twice last year, a new alternator, and my radio is disconnected.
And incase you are really in a zone, my engine goes hot when I drive it and since its winter, cools back down when I am at a stoplight. But in the summer it cooled when I drove it and heated at stops. I can hear my fan on too. Any ideas?
2007-12-17 09:48:01 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
As for your electrical problem, the alternator is not charging so you're running off of your battery. When the battery gets drained the windows start working slowly and eventually the car will stall as there isn't enough voltage to fire the spark plugs.
you'll first want to have the drive belts checked to be sure that they are not loose. If the belts are not worn or slipping, have the alternator output checked. if the alternator was replaced recently then you'll probably have a warranty on it. When an alternator is charging below its capacity the difference in the electrical power that is needed tokeep the car running comes from the storage battery. repeatedly discharging the battery is what causes it to fail.
so check the belt first then then alternator.
as for the overheating, you probably need to have the engine thermostat replaced as it doesn't sound likes its opening up.
hope that helps
my guess is that the alternator is why your batteries have failed twice last year.
2007-12-17 09:53:15 · answer #1 · answered by honda guy 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First things, first. Remove your battery and have it tested at a parts store. While you are having it checked, clean your battery terminals, making sure that there is a good connection. If there are dirty connections, then the alternator and voltage regulator will over work and burn out sooner. Sounds to me that your alternator's voltage regulator has stopped working. Have your charging system checked. Check that your alternator belt is properly tensioned and not loose or worn. You seem to have a huge voltage drop. As far as your heating problem goes, do the following. Go the auto parts store and get a can of Gunk engine cleaner (orange can) Go to a do-it-yourself car wash follow the can's instructions and shampoo your engine as clean as ayou can get it. At this time, remove the cover holding your radiator in place to get acces to the space between the radiator and air conditioning condenser. By this time there will be huge amount of debris collected there and power spray the area thoroughly. This will insure that the air flow across your radiator is smooth and not creating "hot" spots. At theis age, replace your temperature sensor and fan cooling switch as a matter of course. I personally would flush and clean the cooling system and use Mercedes coolant in it as it provides better gasket and pump bearing protection and keeps the inside of your cooling system lasting longer. E-mail me, if you like. Good Luck!!!!
2007-12-17 18:04:00 · answer #2 · answered by Robert M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fault 1 - Sounds like you have the thermostat either removed or jammed open or water pump is on way out. Fan comes on because it is detecting over temperature. This is good so sounds like when you are driving it the car overheats due to revs and when you come to a stop it cools down as the revs are decreased. Reccomend check thermostat, and water pump operation and drain / change engine coolant fluid.
Fault 2 - Check battery, alternator charging circuit. Could it be that the guy who did your oil change snagged and dislodged cable for alternator charging circuit. Check for loose damaged cable connectors. Recent cold spell may well have just highlighted a weak or defective battery. Its the time of year for it you know. Hope this helps.
2007-12-17 17:59:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure you have just one problem. I have seen vehicles with wiring problems behind the dash that would cause irregular guage operations. Maybe with the car running and parked, you can wiggle some wires and see if it changes the operation of the guages. Check all ground connections under the hood. As far as the overheating, the radiator could need flushing which is a fairly simple procedure. A good reliable garage should be able to check the cars computer and determine the problems
2007-12-17 17:57:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is what a Mechanic would call a Hellistic Electrical chase. I myself can't tell you what is going on because I don't know whether or not these components that are going crazy is on the same circuit or not. As well as, how these components are being controlled or monitored by. If the only thing that is going on with your car is temporarily overheating and things are going hay wire, my suggestion will be to take your car to Mechanic that you trust or to your local Ford dealer to have it looked at.
From the symptoms that you are describing, it sounds like there's a common wire to all of these components that are going crazy is being shorted somewhere. The other possibility, though not likely, if your PCM (Powertrain Cntrol Module) is going bad or, more than likely theres a Network failure if these components are being controlled or monitored by a Module.
I wish Ii could help you out more than this but, because of me not being there with the vehicle in front of me and the needed resources, this is the best that I could do.....
Good luck
2007-12-17 18:14:04 · answer #5 · answered by pocket992003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All this points toward the charging system, which you can get checked for free at any battery shop. The alt belt and/or the water pump belt may be loose, even off, and may be causing some of your problems. A seized water pump will also cause some of these symptoms and cause an alt belt to fail. First go to a battery shop and have the charging system checked out.
2007-12-17 17:55:41 · answer #6 · answered by rex_rrracefab 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your car is running off of battery power. For some reason, electrical connections, battery terminal corrosion or the alternator is not working, you alternator is not charging the battery. As far as the overheating goes, if you email me I'll ask you for some other info to try to help.
2007-12-17 17:55:07 · answer #7 · answered by ryankneale 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you may have an alternator or a battery problem. you can go to autozone if you have one near you to get the battery and alternator checked for free, but i'd put money on it that that is what is causing all your lights to go on and everything. as for the engine running hot, thats probably a whole different story
2007-12-17 17:52:53 · answer #8 · answered by prplfae 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you defiantly have some electrical issue it may be your cars ECM (engine computer) that can cause the issues described my sister has a 2001 escort and it has NEVER had any problems it is a GREAT car and she bought it salvage but like i was saying check the ECM that could be your problem you will need to have to taken to a shop for this and could be expensive.... i hope everything goes ok! Merry Christmas!
2007-12-17 17:54:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems like its just not well made, and has its 8 year problems starting to kick in. Take it in, but what you really want to do is start looking for a new car.
2007-12-17 17:59:34 · answer #10 · answered by zlayer2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋