1998 Ford Escort ZX2

My son was in Gatlinburg coming down ski mountain road when his battery light came on. The car stopped running and he cannot get it to crank up. He put in a new battery and it still will not make a sound. He is 350 miles away from home. Any ideas to help him out?
Thanks

Broken timing belt. If the battery light came on that does not necessarily mean that the battery went bad. If he was running along and the car stopped as you said, it appears that something caused the engine to stop. I suspect that either the fuel pump went bad or more than likely the timing belt broke. If the belt broke there is a good possibility of internal engine damage due to the valves hitting the pistons. I hope that is not the case but it may require a head replacement if the belt did break. He can check the belt by removing the upper timing belt cover with simple hand tools and if the belt is broken I recommend he have the car taken to a garage for replacement. Hope this helps.

My son was in Gatlinburg coming down ski mountain road when his battery light came on. The car stopped running and he cannot get it to crank up. He put in a new battery and it still will not make a sound. He is 350 miles away from home. Any ideas to help him out?
Thanks

Badmoe,
Of course there are a number of things that could be the cause, but knowing the sequence of events would be helpful. Did the battery light come on first and then the engine quit later?
1. "Not making a sound" (Not cranking over) sounds like a bad ground (-) connection from the battery to chassis, or from chassis to engine block. It could also be a loose or corroded connection between the battery (+) cable and the starter solonoid.
2. Faulty ignition switch or wiring.

I have seen the alternator short out, (alternator light come on) and burn the fusible link (located near the starter solonoid) or main fuse in power distribution center, and then nothing works, car will not run.
See if you can get a little more information (what works/doesn't work) and maybe we can pin-point the problem.
Alvin

Badmoe,
Of course there are a number of things that could be the cause, but knowing the sequence of events would be helpful. Did the battery light come on first and then the engine quit later?
1. "Not making a sound" (Not cranking over) sounds like a bad ground (-) connection from the battery to chassis, or from chassis to engine block. It could also be a loose or corroded connection between the battery (+) cable and the starter solonoid.
2. Faulty ignition switch or wiring.

I have seen the alternator short out, (alternator light come on) and burn the fusible link (located near the starter solonoid) or main fuse in power distribution center, and then nothing works, car will not run.
See if you can get a little more information (what works/doesn't work) and maybe we can pin-point the problem.
Alvin
Thanks so much for replying to my e-mail. He said the light came on and then the car quit. He said the flashers would work.
Badmoe

Broken timing belt. If the battery light came on that does not necessarily mean that the battery went bad. If he was running along and the car stopped as you said, it appears that something caused the engine to stop. I suspect that either the fuel pump went bad or more than likely the timing belt broke. If the belt broke there is a good possibility of internal engine damage due to the valves hitting the pistons. I hope that is not the case but it may require a head replacement if the belt did break. He can check the belt by removing the upper timing belt cover with simple hand tools and if the belt is broken I recommend he have the car taken to a garage for replacement. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help. I will let him know.

Thanks so much for replying to my e-mail. He said the light came on and then the car quit. He said the flashers would work.
Badmoe
I just talked to him and he said it would crank up and run for a few seconds and then quit. Think it could be the fuel pump?

Thanks so much for replying to my e-mail. He said the light came on and then the car quit. He said the flashers would work.
Badmoe

Badmoe,
As I mention in my reply, I suspect the alternator shorted out which in turn caused the fusible link to burn.

1. Remove both battery cables, (-) first, then (+).
Look for evidence the fusible link near the starter solonoid has burned. (It will be discolored and have bubbles from the heat.) If any doubt, removed the fusible link (cut the wires) and check link for continuity with a test light or Ohmmeter. No continuity, (light does not burn) replace the link.

2. With the key 'off', connect a testlight between the battery negative post (-) and the disconnected (-) cable clamp.

3. If the testlight comes on, there is a short (drain) in the electrical system, and must be fixed. Disconnect the alternator wiring harness and if the light goes out, there is a problem in the alternator....replace it.
Alvin

I just talked to him and he said it would crank up and run for a few seconds and then quit. Think it could be the fuel pump?

Badmoe,
Disregard my previous messages. Based on the previous information you provided, I thought there was a major electrical failure. Based on your latest information, I see my assumption was incorrect. Most likely the problem is fuel delivery related.
The Moderator suggested the fuel pump as a possiblity in the first reply.
Best of luck,
Alvin

has he got gas?

might be the pcm died