1999 Ford Escort Help :(

SJDDD

MEMBER
1999 FORD ESCORT
171,000 MILES

We bought the car about three years ago from a mechanic who rebuilt the engine. For awhile it's been tempermental about starting on occasion. Last week it died while my boyfriend was driving. We got it towed into the mechanic shop, where their head technician, who has been there for 34 years worked on it. We replaced the starter initially and it would turn on, then shut off right away. So then they said we needed a relay. We replaced that and still nothing. They kept the car for a week running diagnostics on it. I just got it towed back home and we were told it needs a new ECM now and that we have to get it done at the dealership because they have the computers to program it.
I called the dealer and was given a quote of $900. We've put so much money into the car already and 900 is a lot of money. Too much money.
-Does it sound like an ECM would fix the problem?
-Can't I buy one online and replace it myself?
-Do we really need the computer at the dealer to program it. Even if it's a new ECM?

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

It doesn't need to be done at a dealer for the ecm. Check fuel pressure with a gauge if it hasn't been already. Auto parts rent the gauges as it may be afp problem. Any shop that has a pro type scanner can install this. It does have to be installed by a professional due to those being vin specific as well as security stuff has to be put in it. Otherwise it won't run. One other thing to try is reseet the security system that may be the problem as well. Have a pro mechanic check it with a pro scanner not a off the shelf auto parts one because they can check all your modules as well as security system. It sounds more like a security problem to me. I am not familiar with for d systems so can't tell you how to reset it but look online you might find it if you type in your tpe of car security reset.