Location of fuel cutoff switch

[dosquarenta]

Hi everyone!

I have a '91 escort that a rarely drive, its just a backup car. Ive had to use it the past week or so because my '97 240 is on jackstands as I do some modifications to it.

The problem I'm having is the following.

It turns out that the car lately has been consuming large amounts of water and overheating frequently. There is no evident leaking of coolant either. But thats a whole different matter altogther.

I had to head to the bank and the car started overheating pretty badly on the way, so when i got there I shut off the car and did my business. When I went to crank it back up it wouldn't start. I get the fuel cutoff light ont he dash and the car wont crank up. It turns over perfectly and the battery has a good charge, its just not getting fuel. I also don't seem to hear the fuel pump priming sound when i turn to the key to the ON position. Mind you my car was also low on fuel at the time, but not low enought to trip the low fuel light.

Is it possible due to the extreme temperature the car tripped the fuel cutoff switch in an attmept to save itself? When i popepd the radiator cap off the car consumed nearly an entire jug of antifreeze. For good measure I also put a gallon of gas in it.

Im really hoping its the cutoff switch so i can get this thing going and not have to have it towed.!!

In essence, my main question is, where the heck is this switch so I can reset it???

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Its a '91 escort with the 1.9 engine if that helps..

[Sergeant Rock]

I think you're looking for the "Fuel pump shutoff switch". In my wifes 92 Escort Wagon it is behind the rear seat on the right side of the car. There is a small plastic access plug in the trim panel you remove. You should then be able to see it. If you push in on the red button and it won't depress, it didn't pop out and that's not your problem. That switch is supposed to only kick off during a collision. (yeah right!).

If you have the original owner's manual, it should show it and it's location in there. (my wifes does)

When the "timing belt" went out in her Escort I drove myself crazy looking for a reason why it wouldn't crank up. It would just turn over and over and... I would be inclined to think you might have the same problem.

I pulled my fuel filter apart (easy) did a test and found that it was getting plenty of fuel. That's when it dawned on me that the last time I had it in the shop they said it was due for the timing belt. I thought about doing it myself and decided forget it! It's a lot of work and it's not cheap either.

Anyway, the fuel pump in this car is under the left rear passenger seat cushion, which is the top of the gas tank (Yeah, that's what I said?!?!). The cushion will pop out with some effort. If yours is the same that's where you would be able to tell if you hear it running or not with the key on.

Hope this helps.

[Frunobulax]

In my '91 LX sedan, it's behind the rear seat on the driver's side, in the trunk compartment. But I thought that the switch only activated in the case of collision...

[Snow93]

the switches sometimes go bad.. will activate by just taking a turn if they realy bad and some are just faulty..