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My step son has a 1989 Escort (A/T). For a while when he started it cold, he would shift into reverse and the motor would die. Now, it's progressively getting worse. It will always crank & start but now it dies real quick even before he places into reverse. I went to one diagnostic website and they think it's the battery.
Anyone have a suggestion? Or agree with the battery theory?
Is he allowing it to warm up before shifting to reverse? From what you say, he is starting it and immediately shifting. It needs a minute or two to warm up.
I have to wonder who would have diagnosed a bad battery if it starts every time. I would doubt the battery is bad if it starts right up, and then dies. From what little information you provide, I would guess most likely it needs a tune up. It dies because it is running so poorly it won't continue to run. It could be a lot of things, all tune-up related. I would suggest taking it to a qualified technician and have it properly diagnosed. Sure it will cost you a few bucks, but that beats breaking down in a very bad place, at a very bad time. If you want the car to take care of you, you better take care of it. They do require occasional tune-ups and maintenance. Spend some money for a tune-up, and you have a dependable car that will pay you back in improved gas mileage.
What Donn said. I'd add that this is probably an OBD-I car, there is a way (something like turning the key on, but not starting the car, patting the gas pedal a certain number of times) that will put the computer into a diagnostic mode, where it will flash out a code, which will tell you what *in the computer's opinion* is wrong. A Chilton or better yet the Ford factory manual will say how this is done. Reading the code is the thinking mechanic's first step.
If you can't find a good shop, or just want to do something yourself, I would suggest 4 new sparkplugs, I personally like NGK plugs, but anyway new ones, check the distributor cap and rotor, replace them and/or the sparkplug wires if needed.
Better yet, get a factory manual or even just a Chilton, and go through the full tuneup procedure.
A hunting idle makes me think maybe the idle control valve and/or the oxygen sensor are not right. The ICV can be cleaned in some cases, the O2 sensor probably should be replaced if it's over 50K miles old. If it's original to the car it's probably toast, and has been for some time.
But, if you are not "inta cars", now would be a good time to find a good, preferably independent shop that will take care of you.
A hunting idle makes me think maybe the idle control valve and/or the oxygen sensor are not right. The ICV can be cleaned in some cases, the O2 sensor probably should be replaced if it's over 50K miles old. If it's original to the car it's probably toast, and has been for some time.
But, if you are not "inta cars", now would be a good time to find a good, preferably independent shop that will take care of you.
It could be that, or possibly a cracked, loose, or broken vacuum line. In any case this sounds to me like an airflow problem of some sort, and definitely not the battery.
Do a quick Google search for Ford Escort Owners Association. Hit the link, register at the site (free) and ask away. It's a forum like this one. If they can't answer it, nobody can.
That's always my best advice for anyone that needs tricky car assistance. Find a forum specific to the make of your auto. I'm a member of a Chrysler forum that's saved me thousands of dollars in repairs by providing free advice. Keeps the '90 LeBaron running like new.
The idle goes all over the place quickly and then dies.
i'll bet it's the throttle position sensor. i had this problem on three different fords i have owned. it's not the battery, if it was it wouldn't start. this answer you gave right here tipped me off to what it was. they are pretty simple to replace. i have an escort right now and had that same problem.
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i have an escort right now and had that same problem.
