93 Escort Headlight/High Gear Elec. Problem??

[98GSTEclipse]

Hi, I have a 93 Ford Escort LX (4dr auto) It's my commuter vehicle for school. There is one very annoying problem which i can't live with and maybe you guys could help. When my headlights are turned on, the vehicle seems to take off in 2nd or 3rd gear. So when im in drive with the headlights on; the takeoff is unbelievably slow. It wont kick down a gear and it just starts in 2nd/3rd but it will go up a gear but its very sluggish. This problem only occurs when the headlights are turned on, otherwise the car is completely fine and has no problems with the shifting. I'm guessing it's an electrical problem like maybe something is being grounded, but i have no clue as to where this may be in the vehicle. I'm not very familiar with fords and im hoping you guys could steer me in the right direction. Thank you for your time and i appreciate you looking!

-Kevin

[98GSTEclipse]

Does anyone have any clue as to what it could be? It's just not kicking into a low gear when the headlights are on, it stays in a high gear. It's wicked annoying because i have to power shift the damn thing everytime....
thanks

[98GSTEclipse]

Could it be an ecu problem do you think?
gahh.... it seems im never gunna solve this

[98GSTEclipse]

bump.... wow anyone out there?
thanks

[Snow93]

junk yard. pull computer. if it doesnt work then you know it isnt the computer.. run codes-haynes manual shows you how or buy a code reader- 49 bucks canadian tire.. good luck and i aint got a clue what it could be.

[98GSTEclipse]

Thanks Snow, Do you know how much the computer will cost about? And where is it located/ is there gunna be tons of wires to deal with or is it a fairly easy job to swap the ecu's?

[Snow93]

ill have to look that up on me own car.. but new your looken at 520 bucks (americian plus what ever other charges they throw at ya).. junk yard.. well anythin they want. Its the same car as yours sept a 2 door and the only option on it is A/C. (yours is a 1.9 right?)

[98GSTEclipse]

Yeah mine is a 4 dr, auto, with the 1.9 and it has a/c. I can prob just take one from a junkyard but i mean is the ECU like regular plugs or are they wired in? You prob dont know off hand but thanks for the help man!

[98GSTEclipse]

Snow? You have any idea bro?

[Snow93]

its located in the center concil.. and it looks like it justs plugs in. other then that its been pourin rain for the last couple days and ive got school, other cars, need to finda job, family probs.etc so i havent realy had a chance to have a good look..

[98GSTEclipse]

okay thanks for your help snow!

[rtilden]

I have this same problem on one of our "family fleet" of escorts... Was a cause and cure discovered??? Please post or email me! Thanks!

[rtilden]

Problem solved, at least for this car. Initially not noticed was that the license light and the backup lights were not working. Both are on the trunk lid. Also unknown at the time was a leak in the rear of the vehicle (which had disrupted the ground for those lights).

...The license light was "on" when the lights were off, and "off" when the lights were on...

With the lights on, power was back-feeding from the license light through the backup light circuit to the gear position sensor, and interrupting the workings of the tranny. Replacing the trunk lid ground cured the problem.

In looking through this board, I see a lot of questions and few answers... Boards are only helpful when people follow up by posting the fruits of theie experience!