1997 Ford Escort 97 Ford Escort Ignition Clicks, Fails, Cli

5TEIN

MEMBER
1997 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I have had a 1997 Ford Escort for a number of years. I've had a minor problem for the past two years that is now getting to be annoying:

Every once in a while--completely inconsistently--the car won't start straight away.

I turn the key, it clicks, everything has power. I turn again, click. About 4 turns later, the locks go down and up, the alarm chirps, and then it will start.

Recently this has taken as many as 15 turns!

Battery is new, starter is relatively new, battery wires look OK at a glance but I haven't investigated those fully.

3 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Have you had the alternator tested?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, October 31st, 2008 AT 1:32 AM

5TEIN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, in fact it was replaced about a year ago. I don't know why I forgot to mention that.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, October 31st, 2008 AT 10:33 AM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Your ignition switch could be going bad. Your key will turn but it will act as if the starter is out. If you have some knowledge with starters and mechanics you can wire up a push button starter switch to the starter (just temporarily) to see if it starts up first time. If you don't feel comfortable doing this than you can have your local garage take a look at the ignition switch and see if it is faulty.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, October 31st, 2008 AT 12:21 PM