Car will not start?

Tiny
JAHOUK
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 213,835 MILES
Over the past couple of years if the car sets for more than a couple of weeks it won't start. I have changed the battery and recently took it in to have it tested and it tests good. I have tried to jump it with no results. Electrically everything seems to work. Key reminder when you insert the key, all lights chimes, bells and whistles all work. When you turn the ignition, there are some clicks like relays working but the engine doesn't turn over. Since it is a hybrid I am not sure what to look at next. I don't believe it has a traditional starter.
Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 3:54 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,142 POSTS
You are correct, this set up does not have a starter motor like on older cars. Can you tell me if the car 12 volt system is working well? If you turn the headlights on when the car will not start are they bright? If so it sounds like the hybrid battery is going bad. I would do a CAN scan to see if any codes are stored which can guide us to the problem. This video will help:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Please upload a video in your response so I can see what is going on.
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Monday, August 18th, 2025 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
JAHOUK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Since the car won't start I don't really have a way to complete a scan. I did take the following video to show what's going on. Looks like the 12 volt system is working fine.
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Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, you are having an issue with the hybrid system, you should be able to run the codes, as the car turns on like in the video it s ready to scan, the engine does not need to run to get the codes. I would see what codes are stored but I have seen the hybrid battery go bad and cause this issue, also I would not park the car in the garage or near the house in case the battery shorts out.
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Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 AT 9:46 AM

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