Hi all,

I have a strange problem that maybe someone has experienced.

About a month ago, my '02 Escape 3.0 developed an intermittent no-start condition. I can turn the key, and nothing happens. The starter doesn't engage at all.

Randomly, after maybe 15-20 tries, it would finally start. Once running, all was normal. No Check Engine light, or any other lights.

As of the last two weeks, it has gotten worse. Now it doesn't start for days. Still, randomly, it may start, but there is no pattern to it. It can sit overnight, and then start in the morning, or sometimes it sits overnight and won't start for days.

Here's the weird part - I've tried three known good starters and the problem persists. Also, I've tried three different batteries (just in case), and the problem persists. The flywheel is not damaged in any way.

Figuring it was a wiring issue, with my voltmeter, I checked the small terminal on the solenoid that is fed 12V when the key is in the "START" position. Sure enough, it gets 12 volts every time. Also, the large solenoid terminal that actually delivers 12V to the starter motor gets 12V every time the key is turned to "START". Still the starter doesn't turn. I can even put a screwdriver across both large terminals of the starter and it does nothing.

Here's the weirder part - once the starter is removed from the car, using jumper cables on a battery, I can attach one lead (ground) to the starter body, and the other (12V) to the upper large solenoid where the battery 12V+ cable would attach. Jump a wire from that terminal to the other large terminal, and the starter works every time. Also, I can apply 12V to the smaller terminal and the starter works every time.

If the wiring in the car is okay, showing proper voltage when metered and no abnormal resistance when the key is turned to "START", and the starter and the battery are fine, what is possibly left to suspect? I thought maybe it was the anti-theft system, but if the theft deterrent system was acting up, shouldn't I be getting zero volts to the starter? And shouldn't the light be on?

Any and all replies are appreciated. Thanks!

 

Check the main ground from the engine block to the battery negative post while attempting to start.

 

Hey projectSHO89, thanks for the suggestion.

The problem was so simple yet elusive.

When you suggested checking the ground, I did, and the cable was fine. That got me thinking about the starter ground, which is the mounting surface on the trans. It wasn't overly dirty, but had a bit of aluminum corrosion on it, so I wire brushed it clean, put the starter back on, and the car has started perfectly ever since (about 50 times now). Thanks again for the suggestion!

 

I did consider that but figured the bolts would have made your ground from the starter housing so I didn't mention it.