1998 Ford Escort Intermittent Starting - 1998 Escort ZX2

Tiny
VERITAS82
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
2 Car Pros

Hey there, I'm looking for a little help on this issue. The problem is that the starter operates intermittently. To be more specific, I'll turn the key to 'start' and the starter won't crank. Sometimes. If I cycle the key several times the starter will sometimes kick in.

Now, for what I've done so far:
-The Starter has been replaced
-I've already troubleshot the ignition switch and I don't see any issue in it's operation (when I would turn the key to 'start' the switch would close as it should even though the starter wouldn't crank)
-The battery has been replaced
-I've cleaned the battery and starter terminals

I was looking around this forum to see if my car had some sort of starter relay that may have been failing but I've read from other forums that the relay is integral with the starter & solenoid assembly. I wonder if the starter cable harness may have a break in it or something though I don't see any evidence of chafing or kinking.

Any help or direction here would be much appreciated. Thank you for all your service!

-Mike
Saturday, October 30th, 2010 AT 12:24 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi veritas82,

Thank you for the donation.

System does not use any relay as shown in diagram.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_StartingCircuit98EscortZx2Fig32a_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_StartingCircuit98EscortZx2Fig32b_1.jpg



To verify if it is the igniton switch thatis at fault, attach a test lamp to the Black/Light Green wire at ignition switch and turn key to START position. If test lamp lights up and starter does not click or crank, fault is not at ignition switch.

You would have to test the Park Neutral Position switch and wire continuity between ignition switch and starter motor.
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Saturday, October 30th, 2010 AT 12:55 PM
Tiny
CHIEFNV
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
What would cause just the click if the battery is good and starter is good. The vehicle starts with a jump, it is intermittent
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Saturday, March 24th, 2012 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
It sounds like a failing starter solenoid.
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Saturday, March 31st, 2012 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
MARQ1955
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  • 1 POST
I have a 1999 Ford Escort ZX2 and had the same problem. What I found after replacing several parts, turns out to be the power cable from engine fuse box to the ignition switch being discolored and hard or stiff.
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Tuesday, January 5th, 2016 AT 2:50 PM

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