1997 Ford Escort

KENSED

MEMBER
1997 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
240,000 MILES

We were driving along and I noticed that all the gauges in the instrument cluster quit working. We drove another 10 miles and the car started losing power and then died. No electrical power anywhere, not even headlights. 10 minutes later the lights worked so I tyried starting it. It started drove 20 miles and it went through the same course of events. Started it again drove 7 miles died and had it pulled home. Next day nothing. Changed the starter and solenoid, Timing belt and serpentine and charged the battery. Car worked fine for 2 days and now it is doing it again. Checked the alternator it was at 14.25v.

Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 7:36 AM

4 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Your problem seems to be intermittent. Your going to have t run some of these checks when the problem is present. I suspect it's a connection issue at one of the power connections.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 7:51 AM

KENSED

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I'm not sure about what checks you mean?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 8:50 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

When the problem is present you need to check the charging voltage and all battery cables and power supplies.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 8:59 AM

KENSED

MEMBER
3 POSTS

When all the work was done (timing belt, starter, serpentine) I cleaned the terminals and charged the battery. At that time the alternator was putting out 14.25v. Before the car dies and won't start, you will be driving along and all the dash instruments quit working even the speedometer. When I get it started again I will check the voltage when the dash ceases to function. Thank you.
Could it be computer related?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 9:12 AM