1998 Ford Escort Electrical Issue

DSCARPUCCI

MEMBER
1998 FORD ESCORT
2.2L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
183,000 MILES

I'm having an issue with my step daughters 1998 Escort ZX2. A couple weeks ago the battery died and had to be jump started. Well the campus police mistakenly hooked up the jumper cables backwards to the battery. I came out there with a new battery and some spare parts from another ZX2 that I'm fixing up. I had to replace not only the battery, main 100amp fuse, and the alternator. I also discovered that the radio, power locks, and dome light weren.T working. I replaced the Room Fuse and that took care of it. The car ran fine for the weekend and the following week. Then the following week my step daughter started up the car no problem but while she was using the radio with one of those cassette adaptors for the Iphone, the car suddenly shut off and will not start. No radio, keyfob, or inside cabin lights again. Could it be the Room fuse again? Would the cassette adaptor be the cause?

3 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

The adapter may be the cause partially but check fuses again underhood as well. The room fuse powers all that you are talking about as well as anti theft that may need resetting. If no manual look online for reset

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Saturday, September 27th, 2014 AT 4:00 PM

DEENEE

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1 POST

HMAC300.I am having the same problem as the original poster. Ironically, my daughter was using one of those adapters the last time we used the car. My Dad and I replaced the Main 100 amp fuse thinking that was the issue before I read this post and your reply. I did replace the "Room" fuse inside the car. Still nothing. We know the battery is fully charged. What else can I do? Car will not turn over, no lights come on, just NOTHING. :( Suggestions? Why won't the key fob even work?

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Monday, January 9th, 2017 AT 7:25 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Key fob could be t he battery in that so have it checked at auto parts. In future pleas e post do not use this for a reply as they don't normally get answered check all fuses in fuse box under hood you may have a maxi fuse blown not the one you replaced. Use a test light for them

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Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 6:46 AM