PLEASE HELP 91 Escort

[zechirian]

I suck at cars.. my thing is computers and my wifes thing is people(nurse). We bought a 91 Escort Pony about 2 months ago.. has ran perfect since we bought it.

Last night my wife drove home and left it outside, we got up this morning and tried to start it.. no go.. sounded like a dead battery.. or going dead. The engine was rolling but like a slug.. everything inside the car was kinda dim.. the CD Changer wasn't powering up unless you hit the power button on it.

So I just charged up the battery.. And i'll be damned if the car starts when you push the clutch down.. JUST THE CLUTCH.. doesn't even need the key.. I looked where the clutch pedal is and it looks like a little switch there. I know before this happened you had to have the clutch in to start the car.. now it seems i need to name the car Christine haha.. PLEASE HELP ME!!

Thanks

Oh and while it is running.. i press the clutch in.. and it sounds like the starter is trying to start again.. loud grinding... not a clutch grind either

[cogsncogs]

@zechirian

Just a thought, not really sure. Possible bad starter solenoid or a short there nearby. My brother may know. I've give him a yell if I can catch him, he's always out somewhere.

Wayne

[CrashFactory]

I also have this problem, but mine is a bit more sinister, see my post to see what I mean..

[CrashFactory]

Mine's going to the mechanic today, I'll let you know what I find out....

[jeffescortlx]

It's probly in the ignition switch, it's electrical contacts are stuck in the "start" postion-and that's why the battery went dead, it was stuck in that position over night.

[zechirian]

if it is the ignition switch.. where exactly is the ignition switch and how can i get it unstuck? This is really cramping the whole family tight and I have next to no money to get it fixed.. so if anyone could tell me how to repair the ignition switch i'd really really really appreciate it..

Thanks

[jeffescortlx]

The ignition switch is the hole in the steering colum that you stick the key into and turn to start. Maybe try to just jiggle the key and see if it un-sticks it. If that does'nt work than:
Once you get the car started, pull the starter fuse out, or pull the starter relay out, or disconnect the clutch switch so at least that way you can still drive the car with out destroying the starter. That will get you by untill you can afford to fix it right.

[zechirian]

Ok got a bit of an update.. I took off the black unit that was hooked into the back of the key slot(bad terminology) that looked like when you turned the key it would turn this thing.. it had two wire plugs going into it and a white plastic piece that went onto the side of the key slot(again dunno what to call it).

Well before I took this unit off.. i think its the inginiton switch, i jiggled the two plugs that were going into it and the car started to make a wierd sound, so i did it again just to see if that was acutally me or the car coming alive. And it turns out that it was me.. So i did it just a few more times(sounded like the car was going to turn over and start) but stopped when I saw just a tiny bit of smoke coming from where the two plugs go in. So that it why i took the whole thing off.

I get it inside and open it up and it looks like there are 4 plastic pins inside that touch off metal plates according to the position you have the key in. But the metal plates are just burnt all to hell... I'm wondering if this is the ignition switch and how expensive they are and if it sounds like i have nailed the problem.....

Also is there anyway to start the car withouth this ignition switch in? Just to test?

[cogsncogs]

@ zechirian

Try to get to get a FREE estimate from a Dealer or trusted shop of your choice. Then go from there! This may or may not give you a clue! Don't sign anything yet! Just to get you in the Ball-Park. Post back in detail! They don't make'em like they used too. Burned to hell, huh? Short maybe? There should be no very_HIGH current there! Even tho the wire is of heavy gauge. Blue and white wires? Using logic, the clutch starter switch is only supp to allow current to the starter solenoid only when the clutch is pushed in. Very weird prob from your posts! That "stuck in start position" on the Ign. switch seems plausible.

Wayne

[zechirian]

Well I replaced the Ignition switch($29.99) and so far.. the car sounds like its trying to start.. but low battery.. I'll be charging it up all day today to see if I can get the darn thing started.

I'm just glad the "Push clutch to start" symptom is gone heh

[CrashFactory]

So it was just the ignition switch as far as you can tell?
mine's leaving in a coupla hours, I hope that's all that's wrong with it..

[zechirian]

Ok well the battery was charged up over night and...

the car started perfectly today.. But the battery seems to have been through more than it can handle because I came home from a rather long drive and the battery was too low to turn start it up again...

So far thats what this looks like.. ignition switch played too much havoc on the battery.

[92EscrtPmp]

Hey, out of curiousity, did you check to see if the Terminals were tight on the battery, or if they were curroaded, (sorry for the spelling)?
BTW- What Motor does that car have in it? look on the top of the motor to see if it says 1.9 SEFI and the Ford logo. I'm looking at the same car, (`91 Escort Pony) and I want to see if they have the same motor, (The one I'm looking has a blown motor) I'd Apprieciate it.

[jman63]

91 through 96 ponies and LX's have the 1.9 sefi......
GT's and LXE's have the 1.8 dohc.....

[zechirian]

Yes I checked the terminals on the battery and the + one has a red type of goo around it.. not a puddle but a fairly noticable amount. The connections are very tight.. the battery just can't hold a charge.

Never changed a battery before.. anyone care to tell me how? hahah

Or better yet.. can anyone tell me how to test for a short.. or should i just charge the battery.. drive it over to autozone and have them test the battery?