2001 Hatch lock problem

txtimothyt · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 04:44 PM

I have a 2001 escape that has a interesting problem with the rear hatch. When it is hot out side or the sun is shinning on the rear hatch the lock will not unlock,all the other doors do. When it gets dark or the door cool down the nit will unlock with the rest of the doors. Any Ideas as to what might be the problem

stu4now · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 06:14 PM

Sounds like the acctuator to me (an electro magnet). I worh on equip. that uses alot of solinoid switches and when they heat up they dont have enough %$#@ to pull in. Funny...... I haven't been on this site for over a year and was gonna post on a problem Im having with my rear hatch....... It locks ok but the rear glass doesnt??? I looked at it and locked and un-locked it and I dont see anything in the linkage to keep the handle from operating when it's locked?????

aj7885 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009, 02:21 PM

same problem on my 01 Escape. Rear stopped locking/unlocking on warm sunny days.

aj7885 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009, 02:23 PM

same problem on my 01 Escape. replaced solenoid with unit from Parts Express online. Sku 330-582. After removing 4 screws from inner hatch trim cover and snapping out cover, the complete assy is exposed. Remove 1 phillips screw and 4 10mm nuts and assy comes apart. I then replaced the solenoid with the aftermarket unit(you will have to bend the included rod to match fit because it doesn't have same rod as the factory unit). Then wire the new unit to factory wiring(green to pink and blue to pink with black stripe. Done in 1 hour total. Price for solenoid $10.50, price if you have to buy whole latch assembly from Ford $147.00. (Ford only offers complete latch, lock, handle as a part)

txtimothyt · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2009, 09:26 AM

Thanks for the information

ovenking · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:29 AM

Ordered the solenoid from parts express. Had to bend the rod as stated in the previous post. Length was a little tricky with the metal rod provided with the kit and you had to bend it in such a way that it would not fall out of the hole it hooks into,(U shape but not so tight a hook that you can't get it to hook in its hole before you mount the new solenoid). The stock solenoid has a plastic rod that goes into the hole and rotates 90 degrees to hold it in place so bending a loop serves the same purpose. $10.50 is a lot better than the price the stealer wanted to install it. They quoted us $300 installed but I later found out that they were charging for the whole latch assy. PLUS the handles. A call to Ford parts informed me that the handles were INCLUDED in the latch assy. and were not billed separate as the dealer had stated. I pointed this out to the service Mgr. and he said it was an honest mistake. You KNOW he would have charged me separately if I didn't do my homework. A word to the wise! $10.50 and an hour of my time beats $300 any day. Thanks Ford Truck Enthusiasts !