97 Ford Escort LX...common problem?

Hi! I have a '97 Ford Escort, with about 166,000 miles, and I haven't had any real problems. The car has high miles because it used to be a rental car, I got it three years ago with 126,000. This morning, I started it to let it warm up, but once I turned on the defrost and the rear defrost, I got out of the car and the front end was shuddering. My husband thought it sounded like it was "missing". He got into the car and was going to rev the engine, but as soon as he touched the gas, it died, and wouldn't start again.
We let it sit for a minute or two, then I tried starting it again (without the defrost on), and it wasn't the battery, but it wouldn't take when I was turning it. It finally did, but shuddered to life when it first took. I then revved the engine and it started to work well. I was able to take it to work with no problem, and I stopped at the coffee place on the way, when I started it again it worked fine, but my husband thinks it might be the alternator. Any suggestions? He played with the spark plugs when it wasn't working...thought it might be a loose connection. He's a car guy, but hasn't had any experience with my kind of engines.

Thanks!
-mrsbaloo

Hi! I have a '97 Ford Escort, with about 166,000 miles, and I haven't had any real problems. The car has high miles because it used to be a rental car, I got it three years ago with 126,000. This morning, I started it to let it warm up, but once I turned on the defrost and the rear defrost, I got out of the car and the front end was shuddering. My husband thought it sounded like it was "missing". He got into the car and was going to rev the engine, but as soon as he touched the gas, it died, and wouldn't start again.
We let it sit for a minute or two, then I tried starting it again (without the defrost on), and it wasn't the battery, but it wouldn't take when I was turning it. It finally did, but shuddered to life when it first took. I then revved the engine and it started to work well. I was able to take it to work with no problem, and I stopped at the coffee place on the way, when I started it again it worked fine, but my husband thinks it might be the alternator. Any suggestions? He played with the spark plugs when it wasn't working...thought it might be a loose connection. He's a car guy, but hasn't had any experience with my kind of engines.

Thanks!
-mrsbaloo

It could be a combination of the starter and the battery.

It could be a combination of the starter and the battery.
:dunno: Thanks for the input. My husband didn't think it was the battery...the car seemed to have plenty of juice when he tried to start it...it just wasn't engaging when it turned over, almost like it wasn't igniting. He checked the plugs and wires the last time he changed my oil and said they looked fairly new, I think my uncle changed those in 2002 before he sold it to me. (He's a mechanic) He did some work on it before he sold it to me, I think he replaced some belts too.

I'm hoping it isn't the starter or anything. When it did start this time, the service engine light (which stays on for long periods of time) started flashing at me, and after 10 minutes then went back to steady. I went to the coffee shop and my car was off and parked for a 1/2 hr before I went to work, and it started with no problems, but I didn't turn on the defrost, just to avoid any problems. :frown:

Thanks for your help and suggestions.
-mrsbaloo

Your service engine light is the clue. Get your car tested for codes to determine what caused the service engine lamp to come on and you will probably fix your starting/missing problem. When your service engine lamp is flashing, you should shut off your engine to prevent further damage to things like catalytic convertor. If the light is on steady, it's usually o/k to drive but a test is required. the lamp flashing usually indicats a bad misfire is occuring , may be caused by plugs/ wires/ injector / vac leak etc..

I had a similar problem with my 97 2.0 SOHC Spi.This is from my own personal experience and may or may not help. It sounds like the engine won't idle with a load on it. The Idle Air Control (IAC)
allows more air to enter the engine to compensate for it being cold or having a load on it at idle. You mentioned that it happened when it was cold and the blower motor and rear defrost was on. It is located on top and to the right of the throttle body. It is held in place by two 8mm screws and looks like a cylinder with wires running into it. It can be taken off and cleaned lubed with light 3 in 1 oil. Sometimes just disconnecting the wires and plugging them back on will clear a sticking piston according to "Souphound" He is a more than capable troubleshooter and may want to post on this message. All the best. Dave