very weird problem
very weird problem hey guys.. first off, this is NOT a GM car, sorry if this is the wrong forum, but i know you guys are very smart when it comes to stuff like this, and it isnt brand related
first off, its on my friends car, a ford escort (its the mercury version i think) and the alternator died. They put a new battery in the car, and drove home on the remaining power and installed a new alternator.
heres where the problem comes in, it ONLY starts when a wire is plugged into the OBDII port, it doesnt matter if anything is connected to the wire or not.
as of right now, my friend unplugged the battery for at least an hour and that didnt solve the problem. He also said he checked the fuses and they all checked fine
any ideas on what it could be? the ford dealer took a look at it, but couldnt find a solution, and im having a hard time with people believing me that this is happening as nobody i have talked to has heard about this
thanks a ton for any help!
first off, its on my friends car, a ford escort (its the mercury version i think) and the alternator died. They put a new battery in the car, and drove home on the remaining power and installed a new alternator.
heres where the problem comes in, it ONLY starts when a wire is plugged into the OBDII port, it doesnt matter if anything is connected to the wire or not.
as of right now, my friend unplugged the battery for at least an hour and that didnt solve the problem. He also said he checked the fuses and they all checked fine
any ideas on what it could be? the ford dealer took a look at it, but couldnt find a solution, and im having a hard time with people believing me that this is happening as nobody i have talked to has heard about this
thanks a ton for any help!
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Ok, 1st of we need some info.
1. By doesnt start you mean doesnt turn over or just doesnt start?
2. The car worked perfectly well before the battery install?
3. Who installed the alternator? was the battery out when it was being changed?
4. What wire is unplugged in the obd2port and how did you come across unpluggining the wire? Do you have a diagram for the connector and the pins to verify what it is that you unplugged?
we need some more info to better diagnose this problem im sure that it can be figured out with a little trouble shooting.
1. By doesnt start you mean doesnt turn over or just doesnt start?
2. The car worked perfectly well before the battery install?
3. Who installed the alternator? was the battery out when it was being changed?
4. What wire is unplugged in the obd2port and how did you come across unpluggining the wire? Do you have a diagram for the connector and the pins to verify what it is that you unplugged?
we need some more info to better diagnose this problem im sure that it can be figured out with a little trouble shooting.
Ok, 1st of we need some info.
1. By doesnt start you mean doesnt turn over or just doesnt start?
2. The car worked perfectly well before the battery install?
3. Who installed the alternator? was the battery out when it was being changed?
4. What wire is unplugged in the obd2port and how did you come across unpluggining the wire? Do you have a diagram for the connector and the pins to verify what it is that you unplugged?
we need some more info to better diagnose this problem im sure that it can be figured out with a little trouble shooting.
1. By doesnt start you mean doesnt turn over or just doesnt start?
2. The car worked perfectly well before the battery install?
3. Who installed the alternator? was the battery out when it was being changed?
4. What wire is unplugged in the obd2port and how did you come across unpluggining the wire? Do you have a diagram for the connector and the pins to verify what it is that you unplugged?
we need some more info to better diagnose this problem im sure that it can be figured out with a little trouble shooting.
1. the car just keeps cranking
2. the car worked perfectly
3. my friend installed it, and the battery was unhooked
4. the wire that was plugged into the obd port was a scan gauge 2, there was nothing plugged in before, it was the first time it was ever used on the car. he isnt sure if he had it plugged in the first time he tried to start the car with the new alternator
also when he tries to start it the fuel pump stays priming when there i nothing plugged into the obd port
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
so it only runs with the scanner hooked up? what modle is it? did the car run before you put it in after the alternator install? Check for the basics 1st any lights? Are you getting spark fuel? do this with the scanner out and then in.
Trending Topics
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
well an alternator and battery should have to effect on your car not running if installed correctly so its probably something with that **** ******* it up. Call a hotline or something see if anyone has simmilar problems as you. Only things i can think of if this is any help at all are...
1. check all our basics fuel spark ex like i said w/o that **** in there, you tried resetting the battery so the ecu should be reset. If you dont have fuel or spark diagnose why
2. It might be soemthign w/ that **** in the obd2 that lets the car bypass some type of security possibly reading that the key is in there and allowing it to run
3. You might possibly fried some type of module, have the dealership scan it and make sure all the modules are communicating w/ eachother
report back w/ more info im really curious to solve this problem for ya
1. check all our basics fuel spark ex like i said w/o that **** in there, you tried resetting the battery so the ecu should be reset. If you dont have fuel or spark diagnose why
2. It might be soemthign w/ that **** in the obd2 that lets the car bypass some type of security possibly reading that the key is in there and allowing it to run
3. You might possibly fried some type of module, have the dealership scan it and make sure all the modules are communicating w/ eachother
report back w/ more info im really curious to solve this problem for ya
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Teching In
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2 Re: 1993 Mercury Tracer - Ford Escort-Will not start-has good battery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had checked other sites and found that technician's said they replaced the ignition switch,not the lock. A $20 to $30 part in your steering column
They said this fixed the No Start problem. They said get one from ford since aftermarket parts were not as good. Must have been a ford Tech that posted it.
It could be the relay switch for starter on the firewall or the solenoid could be bad.
I am very doubtful it is the alternator but I'll check that tomorrow with my digital meter also.
I have seen this problem with many tracer and escort cars.. hopefully the ignition switch fixes it.
If we can post link's to parts on websites with photo of the Switch,I would post it here. Can we? yes or no? It would help in identifying the part for other people.
Update..... I got the switch out and took it apart and one of the plastic rods inside was melted that pushes the points down and went to the starter wire, blue and black wire.The points for that were also melted down lower than the other 3 also. I tried cutting off a toothpick same length as the other plastic rods and put it back together with that for testing purposes and still no start. I will have to buy a new switch from a site online for the $23. Local parts stores want me to buy the whole key switch mechanism for $100. Blahh. no way. I tested the power on the 2 black coming in to the switch, and they have power so no fusable links bad.
Posts: 2 Re: 1993 Mercury Tracer - Ford Escort-Will not start-has good battery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had checked other sites and found that technician's said they replaced the ignition switch,not the lock. A $20 to $30 part in your steering column
They said this fixed the No Start problem. They said get one from ford since aftermarket parts were not as good. Must have been a ford Tech that posted it.
It could be the relay switch for starter on the firewall or the solenoid could be bad.
I am very doubtful it is the alternator but I'll check that tomorrow with my digital meter also.
I have seen this problem with many tracer and escort cars.. hopefully the ignition switch fixes it.
If we can post link's to parts on websites with photo of the Switch,I would post it here. Can we? yes or no? It would help in identifying the part for other people.
Update..... I got the switch out and took it apart and one of the plastic rods inside was melted that pushes the points down and went to the starter wire, blue and black wire.The points for that were also melted down lower than the other 3 also. I tried cutting off a toothpick same length as the other plastic rods and put it back together with that for testing purposes and still no start. I will have to buy a new switch from a site online for the $23. Local parts stores want me to buy the whole key switch mechanism for $100. Blahh. no way. I tested the power on the 2 black coming in to the switch, and they have power so no fusable links bad.
