1991 Ford Escort won't start

[CL8]

We recently had an electrical problem with our '91 Ford Escort, the Mechanic found a screw loose or missing somewhere. We were charged $87.00 for labor and $5.00 for the part. That was two weeks ago.

Today my daughter parked the Escort in the driveway (where my work vehicle belongs) When I got home it was still in the driveway. All electrical stuff, radio, and lights work, but it does not tun over or even click to try to start. Now what might be the problem? The starter relay, or something else?
This vehicle only has 62,000 miles on it.

She also tried to Jump start the battery even though the electrical equipment was working. Could this damage the electrical system?

Is there a way I could at least get it started so we could park it in front of the house so my work vehicle can go in my driveway?

Thanks
Cl8

[shorod]

Did you try shifting in to neutral before starting? Maybe the screw was for the Transmission Range Sensor and it's now out of alignment.

Do the indicators in the instrument cluster perform a bulb test in the Run position but go out when the key is in the start position? Are you familiar enough with the starting system and a test light to check for power to the solenoid when the key is in the Start position? Have you checked battery voltage? Attempting to jump start the car isn't likely to cause damage as long as the cables were connected properly.

-Rod

[CL8]

I did try shifting to neutral while starting but nothing.

The dash lights come on. Only the coolant check light comes on then turns off immediately, the others, oil, battery, and brake lights stay on.

Is the Starter relay the solenoid you are talking about? I know it is connected to the positive battery cable and is a long metal gadget on top of the engine.
I don't know how to test it though.

This is what the mechanic said on the invoice:

"Traced low voltage condition at starter signal wire.
Found ignition switch was missing a screw.
This caused the key to only turn partially.
Installed new screw. Vehicle now starts."

Would finding that ignition switch screw require a lot of work to get to?
I wonder if it would have come off again. And could I replace it myself?
And what would have caused the screw to go missing in the first place?


Thanks once again Rod for your help!

Cl8

[shorod]

The description on the invoice sounds very reasonable. Getting to it may not have been too difficult, but troubleshooting the circuit to determine that was the issue certainly could take some time. It would be worth checking. As to were the ignition switch is located on the 1991 Escort, I won't be of much help there. Keep in mind that the "ignition switch" is not the same as the "key cylinder switch." The ignition switch is likely mounted in the steering column and can be probably be accessed by removing the shrouds covering the steering column. You might have better luck asking for the location of the ignition switch on the Escort-specific forum.

As for what may cause the screw to come out initially, it may have not been tightened properly following a prior repair, or maybe it was cross-threaded at one time and the threads no longer engage the screw securely. If the screw were not able to tighten up though, I would suspect that the invoice would have documented that as well.

-Rod

[CL8]

Thanks Rod!