So, you are having starting problems with your Ford Escape. In most cases, it is your battery that will be at fault, but be aware that this is not always the case. We explain in this article the first checks to be carried out to find out if your car is really out of order!
Is the battery dead?
Your battery may just be dead. If so, don’t worry, just start your car and your alternator will take over to recharge the battery while you are driving. If you have an ignition problem, your battery light will be on normally.
To start your car, two solutions are available to you. You can:
- Use a battery booster
- Find another car with a battery strong enough to try the jumper cables method.
If you have a vehicle with a manual gearbox (few old Ford Escape models), know that you can also restart it by pushing it, with the second and the ignition on. When your car reaches approximately 10 mph, quickly release the clutch and quickly step on the accelerator. It works even better if your car is up a hill.
Is your battery sufficiently charged but it cannot deliver the power necessary to start the engine of your car? The problem surely comes from the terminals (metal terminals present above the casing of your battery which are too oxidized). In this case, you just need to:
- Disconnect the – terminal then that of the + by loosening the terminals;
- Clean these pods with a wire brush or sandpaper;
- Grease the pods to prevent further oxidation;
- Reconnect the terminals and try to restart.
If you have a voltmeter, you can test the car battery to make sure it is working properly.
Can’t find 12V battery on Ford Escape? Read this article to find the location.
Is the engine flooded?
You don’t need a flood to drown an engine. It is said that an engine is flooded when one or more of the engine’s cylinders have too much fuel. Several causes are possible:
- Several failed starts injected too much fuel. Take it slow: wait about thirty minutes for the gasoline to evaporate and try to start again!
- Do you run on gasoline? It is possible that one of the spark plugs no longer works and prevents the spark necessary for combustion. In this case, you need to change all the spark plugs.
Is the starter malfunctioning?
Do your headlights come on and your car radio works but you still cannot start? The problem is probably your starter. This part is a small motor that uses electricity from the battery to crank your motor. Two types of failures are possible.
The connectors of the starter, or “carbons” are stuck
Do you know the so-called hammer method, the essential tool for starter failure? Well, using this tool, you just have to give your starter a few small blows of the hammer and its coals will come off.
But be aware that the results will only be temporary: the coals will pick up quickly and you will necessarily have to replace the starter.
Your starter is overloaded or does not connect to the flywheel
In this case, you have no choice but to call a garage to make a diagnosis and replace your starter.
Key fob battery is dead
Is your car less than 20 years old? It therefore most certainly has an immobilizer system to reduce the risk of theft. A transponder is integrated in your key to allow it to communicate with your car.
Since no signal from the dashboard can tell you this fault, try starting your vehicle with your second key or changing the battery in the key. If your car still does not start, you must call a garage or a center approved by the manufacturer to reprogram your key.
The easiest way to avoid a starting problem at the worst moment is to have your car serviced regularly.
