2003 Ford Escape won't start after sits for a while

SOURCE: 2003 ford focus. battery light comes on but dimly lite

alternator by thesound of it turn on all electics on dark night if lights get brighter when you rev your engine id change alternator

Stephen Pearson

• 49 Answers
• Posted on Dec 03, 2008

SOURCE: I have a Ford Focus

Replace the starter, your right ; Mike. It will leave you stranded soon. Also have the battery checked and clean the thermals.

SOURCE: Ford Focus occasional starting problems.

Hey there...

Although I'm questioning why it would be doing this mostly on cold mornings, I would suggest that you check your battery connections. 99 times out of 100, the reason that this happens is because one of the battery cables does not have a good connection (Many times it's the ground wire). If you check to make sure that the connections on both ends of both cables are tight, then try taking your vehicle to your local parts store to have them do a load test on your battery. It's possible that the c.c.a. (cold cranking amps) are no longer sufficient to start your car. After awhile, batteries tend to lose their charge due to age, how many times it has been discharged completely, and also frequent cold weather. I believe that this should solve things, but feel free to contact me to ask about any other possibilities that may be causing this, as I'll look into any other similar common issues on your particular make and model. Should be battery cables or battery itself, though. Hope this helps and have a great day!

James

SOURCE: 2002 Ford Escape V6 XLT, problem w/ initial start in cold weather

Does the engine crank but just not start? Or... are you cycling the ignition switch without trying to crank the engine? Based on the information you have given, I would first guess that the fuel pump may be going out. I say this because when you first turn the key on the pump primes the engine with pressurized fuel. If the pump is getting old, it may take a few power cycles to get it going. You can test this theory by having somebody listen near the rear of the car while you turn the key on for the first time. The fuel pump make a faint, yet distinctive high pitch noise that can be heard when you turn the key on. Try that first. Next thing you would try is checking the relays for proper function... starting with the fuel pump relay. Good luck.

SOURCE: I have a 96 Ford

It will start when cold, and after driving and then parking, the starter will not turn over? Replace your starter/solenoid.

WARNING: WHEN SERVICING THE STARTER MOTOR (11002) OR PERFORMING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT WORK NEAR THE STARTER MOTOR (11001) , BE AWARE THAT THE HEAVY GAUGE BATTERY INPUT LEAD AT THE STARTER SOLENOID (11390) IS "ELECTRICALLY HOT" AT ALL TIMES. BE SURE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY GROUND CABLE (14301) BEFORE SERVICING STARTER MOTOR .

2.0L Engine Starter Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove engine intake air resonator and air box.
3. Disconnect the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor and mass air flow (MAF) sensor.
4. Remove three starter motor retaining bolts and ground wire.
5. Raise vehicle on hoist.
6. Remove integral connector retaining nuts and wires from starter solenoid.
7. Disconnect the knock sensor.
8. Remove the axle shaft bearing bracket bolts and position the bracket aside.
9. Remove the starter motor.
   

1. Position starter motor to transaxle and loosely install lower retaining bolt.
2. Install axle shaft bearing bracket. Tighten to 21 Nm (15 lb-ft).
3. Connect knock sensor.
4. Install integral connector retaining nuts. Tighten B-terminal retaining nut to 11 Nm (97 lb-in). Tighten S-terminal retaining nut to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).
   
5. Lower vehicle to floor.
6. Install starter motor retaining bolts and ground wire. Tighten to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
7. Install engine intake air resonator and air box.
   
8. Connect the IAT and MAF.
9. Connect battery ground cable.
   

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect the idle air control (IAC) valve hose from the intake manifold.
3. Remove the IAC valve hose locator from the upper radiator hose.
4. Remove the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hoses from the air cleanter outlet tube.
   
5. Disconnect the intake air temperature (IAT) and mass air flow (MAF) sensor electrical connectors.
6. Disconnect the air cleaner inlet tube from the air cleaner housing and the outlet tube from the throttle body.
7. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
8. Remove the air cleaner housing support bracket.
9. CAUTION: Do not carry an open flame of any type when working on or near an open fuel system. The fuel system remains under pressure for long periods of time after engine shutdown. The fuel pressure must be relieved before performing any service to the fuel system.
   
10. Remove the protective service valve cap and connect the Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) Fuel Pressure Gauge T80L-9974-B to the fuel pressure service valve, located on the fuel injector rail. Slowly open the valve and relieve the fuel system pressure. Remove the gauge and install the protective service valve cap.
11. Remove the safety clips and disconnect the fuel line couplings using disconnect tools D87L-9280-A (for 3/8-inch lines) and D87L-9280-B (for 1/2 inch lines). Install protective caps and position the fuel lines out of the way.
12. Remove the transaxle selector cable bracket retaining bolts and position the bracket (with cable attached) aside.
13. Disconnect the starter motor solenoid electrical connectors. Secure the battery cable harness and the heater hoses aside.
14. If equipped, remove the starter motor support bracket.
15. Remove the starter motor.
    

1. Install the starter motor. Tighten the bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
2. If equipped, install the starter motor support bracket. Tighten the retaining bolt to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft). Tighten the retaining nuts to 17 Nm (13 lb-ft).
3. Connect the positive battery cable and solenoid harness to the starter motor solenoid. Tighten the battery cable retaining nut to 12 Nm (9 lb-ft). Tighten the solenoid terminal retaining nut to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).
4. Install the transaxle selector cable bracket. Tighten the bolts to 20 Nm (15 lb-in).
5. NOTE: Inspect all O-ring seals and garter springs for damage, prior to assembly. If either O-ring is damaged, both O-rings must be replaced. Replace the O-rings or garter springs only with the appropriate replacement parts. Lubricate the O-rings with clean engine oil, prior to assembly.
6. Remove the protective caps and connect the fuel line couplings. Install the safety clips.
7. Install the air cleaner housing support bracket. Tighten the bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
8. Connect the air cleaner housing to the air cleaner inlet tube and the outlet tube to the throttle body. Install the PCV hoses to the air cleaner outlet tube. Connect the IAC valve hose to the intake manifold and securely tighten the retaining clamp. Install the IAC valve hose locator to the upper radiator hose. Connect the IAT and MAF sensor electrical connectors.
9. NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 mi) or more to relearn the strategy.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.
    

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