No engine start or dash indicators (95 escort)

Hi everyone,

I have a 95 escort. Earlier today I was driving around fine, but tonight when I went to start the car, I noticed that none of the regular indicator lights came on. (like: ck engine, airbag, ect.) Also, the engine turns, but it wont catch. Almost like its not getting any fuel.

Everything else appears to work except turning lights. Headlights, dash illumination, hazard lights, radio, wipers, headlight warning sound and interior dome light all work no prob. My battery has a full charge (turns over great, just not starting).

I've checked all fuses, and nothing seems blown from what I can tell. I had to call into work sick today because of it >:( It is pretty cold today (-19ºC/-2ºF), but I'm unsure if that has anything to do with it because I was driving around 6 hours earlier with out a problem.

Anyone have any suggestions before I drag this thing to a mechanic?

Hi everyone,

I have a 95 escort. Earlier today I was driving around fine, but tonight when I went to start the car, I noticed that none of the regular indicator lights came on. (like: ck engine, airbag, ect.) Also, the engine turns, but it wont catch. Almost like its not getting any fuel.

Everything else appears to work except turning lights. Headlights, dash illumination, hazard lights, radio, wipers, headlight warning sound and interior dome light all work no prob. My battery has a full charge (turns over great, just not starting).

I've checked all fuses, and nothing seems blown from what I can tell. I had to call into work sick today because of it >:( It is pretty cold today (-19ºC/-2ºF), but I'm unsure if that has anything to do with it because I was driving around 6 hours earlier with out a problem.

Anyone have any suggestions before I drag this thing to a mechanic?

YES
I had the same problem with my 93. It was a broken ignition switch. Only had to replace the plastic part not the whole switch(on the left side of the column). It screws into place relatively easily, still uses the same ignition key and all the metal assembly.I guess plastic is bound to fail at some time or other. -Jim

WooHoo!

Good call on the ingition switch. It wasn't broken, it was just frozen. This is what I did: First I dressed warm :), then I removed the steering column moulding & twisted to remove the ignition light. I then ran an extention cord from the house to a heat gun, which I sat directly under the ignition assembly pointing straight up. Being sure not to melt anything, I left it there for about 10 mins, and VOLIA! I turned the key, all the lights came on, and the engine started!

If you live where there is extremely cold weather, like here, then you may end up with the same problem, but its easy to fix.

I was very happy that I didn't need to replace anything :) although it sucks that I missed a day at work. (well, the day off was nice)

I figure I'll follow up on my original post. The same thing continued to happen a few days after, and I ended up replacing the ignition switch itself (the plastic bit that all the connectors go to). Now everything is great. The ignition switch itself was intermittant, and the cold made it fail more often. I took the old switch apart after installing the new one, and I found that there is a series of tiny buttons that make or break different connections as you turn the key. One connection turns on your dash lights and fuel pump among other things. That particualr plastic button was worn down to near nothing.

It kinda sucks replacing the entire ignition switch for the sake of a tiny plastic nub, but there was really no way for me to fix it so I guess thats what I had to do anyways.