Escape radio goes on/off, plus other electrical stuff

[NHFordEscape]

I have a 2002 Ford Escape w/85,000+ miles on it. It already went through the normal stalling while running issues. The latest thing is the radio. When I brake, the radio is on. When I hit the gas, the radio goes out. Plus the interior lights are acting funny, as well as the e-brake light coming on for no reason. I'm thinking short?? I have a appoint scheduled w/dealer for Monday - but I honestly don't thing Ford Service centers have a clue. Thoughts on the problem? Anyone else have a similar experience?

Also, funky smell in the truck too. I read something about mold in the AC unit, is that true?

Thanks!

[65comet]

All I can help you with is the smell. And since it is winter, it might not work very well. It is, as you mention, mold in the A/C unit. Moisture condenses in it during the summer, and mold loves nothing more than moisture to grow. The best cure in the summer is to run the defroster on high heat for at least a half hour. With the air already warm in the summer, it doesn't take it long to kill the mold, and your air is smelling better in no time. I usually make sure I do this in all my cars in one of the last warm weekends in the early fall so that I'm pretty sure the mold is dead before winter. I don't know if you will get it hot enough now for it to work.

[NHFordEscape]

Here are the specific electronic problems I'm seeing

> When in Park on initial start, radio, dash lights, lights, and all electric’s
work normal.
> When you engage in Reverse or Drive, after releasing the brake, the radio
goes out.
> When you fully press on the Brake while going to stop, the radio comes
back on.
> When you release the brake, the radio goes back off.

> Also, the emergency brake light does not completely go out. After releasing
the emergency brake, the brake light becomes dim.
> The brake light then flicks on and off, alternating between the Left
directional signal when that signal is engaged.
> When in engaging the Right directional, the brake light just stays dim.

> From testing the other electronic features, Cruise control function doesn’t
seem to be working currently. I’m not sure how long it’s been out.
> I have also noted that the horn doesn’t honk when you double click ‘lock’
on the keyless remote. Prior to this, the horn always would honk if ‘double’
locking.

[AlohaBra]

NH...what was your fix? Another poster has this problem currently.

[Ncgreasemonkey]

Originally Posted by NHFordEscape

Here are the specific electronic problems I'm seeing

> When in Park on initial start, radio, dash lights, lights, and all electric’s
work normal.
> When you engage in Reverse or Drive, after releasing the brake, the radio
goes out.
> When you fully press on the Brake while going to stop, the radio comes
back on.
> When you release the brake, the radio goes back off.

> Also, the emergency brake light does not completely go out. After releasing
the emergency brake, the brake light becomes dim.
> The brake light then flicks on and off, alternating between the Left
directional signal when that signal is engaged.
> When in engaging the Right directional, the brake light just stays dim.

> From testing the other electronic features, Cruise control function doesn’t
seem to be working currently. I’m not sure how long it’s been out.
> I have also noted that the horn doesn’t honk when you double click ‘lock’
on the keyless remote. Prior to this, the horn always would honk if ‘double’
locking.

I'm betting it's the SJB (Smart Junction Box). These things control about all the interior lighting, tail lamps/turn signals, and the radio. The biggest problem I've seen with these is when someone tapped into the tail lamp wiring and added a harness for a trailer. Which is a no no, due to the increased amperage by adding another branch to a parallell circut.