Starter not working

Tiny
NIADNELSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
So I was getting my radio replaced from the stock one which the buttons went out getting it replace with a third party radio has to cut the wires because the wire was different the car was still working after the wire were cut the radio cut on but no speaker noise. Cranked it up one last time everything was working shut it off and tired to turn it back on my whole car was dead. Call roadside to jump it off the next morning battery tested good/new I was told to change the fuse so I did that (main fuse 120A) still nothing. The dash board is dead no lights, no light in the car in or out but my car port still work to charge a phone.

What could be my problem?
I was told the computer system needs to be rest?
Anti theft system may be on?
Fail Safety Mode?

Help please
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 4:56 PM

46 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Did you check to see if battery terminals are tight on the battery posts? (+) to (+) and (-) to (-)? Also check your fusible links.I have also included in the diagrams down below a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that might interest you. Please go through it and get back to us with what you find out.

This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
JOELECTRIC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 51,000 MILES
My 02 Escape 4WD is stuck in R and won't start. I used the by pass on the steering colum and the shifter moves but, no gears catch? My check engine light is now on. If I disconnect the battery would that stop it from jumping and running me over? I plan to look under the truck to check the shift cable when I have day light.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Yes, checking the cable would be a good idea. Be sure to block the wheels from rolling before going under there and moving anything.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOELECTRIC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the response. Will the disconnected battery prevent it from moving. I am stuck on a pile of snow and ice, I am going to chop some out so I can gain clearance. Don't know what kind of chock I can use on bumpy snow/ice. I have no idea where the cable is so I will check all to see what is disconnected/loose. I can't find a diagram on line to help me locate it either.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
No, disconnecting the battery won't help if you move the shifter lever while you're under the truck.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOELECTRIC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Shifter is already stuck in reverse. So could it pop into gear when I reconnect if the cable came off or loose?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Maybe you just need to have this towed to a shop. There is not likely anything you can do for it anyway.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOELECTRIC
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 51 MILES
My 02 Escape 4WD automatic is stuck in R and won't start. I used the by pass on the steering colum and the shifter moves but, no gears catch? My check engine light is now on. If I disconnect the battery would that stop it from jumping and running me over? I plan to look under the truck to check the shift cable when I have day light.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If you have any concern of the vehicle moving and running you over, make sure the park brake is on and the wheel/tires are blocked. As far as the problem, it sounds like a linkage problem.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAKULLAMAMA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Ok, so my truck's been running great since I had the IAC replaced. Then last night, some wires were disconnected (not by me, daughter's friend was trying to stop the chime. Don't know why) and it wouldn't start when we got ready to leave. I mean NOTHING, no click, grunt, nothing. We tried to jump it off. They thought since the radio had been playing it was just a weak battery, but it still wouldn't crank. My neighbor put the scanner on it and said it was the anti theft system. I don't know what to do.I'm a single mother on a limited income. Can't afford to take it to the dealership and get screwed over. Any suggestions?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Well I hate to say it but unless you have 2 working keys the dealer is the only one that can fix it. It sounds like what they unplugged was the transponder for the key. So the car sees the wrong key because it no longer is programmed to read the key. Before taking it in if you have another key try it just to be sure. If it still won't start then you will need to take it to the dealer to have them reprogram the keys so the transponder can read them. It should be about 100 dollars. Wish I had better news but I don't.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KATYSUE1995
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
We have followed back this issue that caused the car not to start today and we discovered under the drivers seat that all wires burned and melted together and now the wires have been mended and separated. The car now won't even turn over. I started it only once after doing most wires and it started but wouldn't shut off. So now I'm stuck. Reset thinking? How
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the wires melted there it may have done something else to another module however try resetting your security if no manual look online.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KMADDEROM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I have recently had trouble starting my Escape at any time- morning, after driving and stopping briefly, etc. If I put the key in, the lights go on, the radio works, the fan blower comes on, etc. I however get no cranking- no clicking, no failure to start, no cranking at all. Sometimes I will take the key out and repeat and eventually it will crank and start right up. If I use the auto start, it usually fires right up. I will say the battery is the original and will be replaced soon, but would I have all those auxilaries if the battery was bad? It is just odd to get nothing. I also tried the other key (the backup that is not used as much) since I figured maybe the microchip had gotten zapped somehow. Switching keys made no difference. I hope this is not a $600 repair! Any ideas are appreciated.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,384 POSTS
You either have a fault on the wiring between ignition switch and starter or your ignition switch is faulty. Check wires at starter. Loose/corroded etc.. If no fault found we could replace the ignition switch. Let me know
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LISA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
I have a 2002 Ford Escape that when I go to start it it is dead. The lights radio etc work but it is dead. After a try or twq it will turn over. There is no clicking of any sort indicating it may be the starter it is just dead?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Check your fuses--owners manual may Narrow down the search and the locations of all fuse compartments

I cannot be more blunt than this----DO NOT PASS THINGS OFF AS: "IT LOOKS GOOD!"

I will explain this really simple. Remove / clean / tighten every connection (I mean every thing that has a nut bolt or screw) Starting at the Positive Battery connections---to the solenoid connections---starter itself/////////////Then do the Negative side--Grounds and anything along the cables travel

LETS SEE WHAT YOU GOT NOW

The Medic
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
You might also try to charge your battery or jump start your rig, If that works well, a ride to Autozone or Advance Auto and have your BATTERY and ALTERNATOR checked out. FOR FREE!.I sorta read your question too fast--dats why I came back

The Medic
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEVELOPER7
  • MECHANIC
  • 42 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 87,250 MILES
Hi I have a question about my car. It used to start right away when I hit the ignition, but now it turns over for a little bit before it fires up? I have around 60,000 miles if that helps. Is there something I can do to check it out?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This could be anything really if your check engine light is not on check your fuel pressure if it's low it may cause this as well as a fuel filter. Spark plugs may be a bit wider so it may not do like new plugs. If it started on one turn over and now takes 5 I really wouldnt' worry about it. The vehicle is 10 yrs old so they don't quite do like the newer ones.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM (Merged)

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