93 escort-need help starting-stay running

[sons93escort]

Hello. My son aquired this 93 escort and it ran decently for a long time, only 58,000 miles. I always heard they were good reliable cars and had no reason to doubt that until now. I am okay with common auto repairs and fluid changes and am trying to get manual to help with problem, but I'm sure someone has had this and can quickly help. I would reaaly appreciate the help. ..Problem, car will start run okay somedays. Others, have to jump to start, and others even after jumping, car may die while driving, or won't restart without a jump. I have replaced battery and voltage regulator and when running there is 14.7 volts going to the battery. Even when it won't start and I test the battery it is always high 12-something, and will start with a jump. I don't think battery is dead just somewhere amperage is being drained or some switch is bad. My guesses from other cars are starter, a relay, ignition module, ign switch or start switch. Well the neutral switch i think is okay because it won't start with jump unless clutch pedal is depressed. Dont know where a start relay is yet, but I have heard that some starters will start with a jump but not from the starters own battery if its going out. I am wondering even if starter is bad then why won't it stay running after jumping. I don't know what all is in the start circuit until I get manual. I think ther eis a extended warranty on the car, but I have the feeling shops will just run mot-covered diagnostics. Can use help or advice or pointers to good mechanic in junction city, KS area.

[yotatechie04]

It sounds like it could be the alternator, especially if you have already checked/changed the voltage regulator. My father has a '97 Escort, and he had the same problem, he couldn't figure it out for the longest time, called me and I told him it was the alternator, changed it, and it ran perfectly. I'm not saying that the alternator is bad yet, but it seems like it's getting ready to go bad. I recommend changing it out as soon as possible, and it should correct the problem.

[sons93escort]

Thanks. Thats something to think about. Before I heard that, I pulled the starter, and it spins nicely testing it on the same battery of the car. I put back in and turned switch, no lights, chimes or clicks, no starter spin. The alternator puts out 14.7 volts. I am thinking a relay? or ignition switch but am trying to locate schematic/book, something is preventing volatge to close starter solenoid and light up warning lights, in memory there is a switch, battery, starter and alternator tied in, oh for the days of 6volt starters, push buttons and solenoids on the wall again.

[yotatechie04]

It is possible that it could be the ignition switch, I didn't actually think of that one before. You should get a Haynes manual for that car, it has all the wiring diagrams in the back of the book for the whole car. As far as older ignition systems go, that's a thing of the past that all mechanics miss, but it's only going to get worse as cars get more and more technologically advanced.

[dp62273]

i would change the ignition switch my brother-inlaw had a 91 escort lx and it wasn't running right he would drive down the road and the car would just stop. after about 10 time of this we ended up pushing it to auto zone we went over everything on that car nothing worked so he put it in the shop. they put the ignition switch in and it worked fine
now i have it and i need new valves in it but the car has about 200,000 miles on it.

[nditech]

I would pull the alternator and have it tested. I think it is suppose to put out more the 14 volts to recharge and keep the system running.

[tofast4u2catch]

13.8 to 14.4 is usually normal.