2005 Electrical?problems

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 18, 2014 | 05:01 PM

D Lab

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

2005 Electrical?problems

Strange stuff has been happening with my 05 Escape (106K) it died while my father was using it. Just up and quit. It started right away with a jump, got it home then it died again. I took it to a ford dealership to have a diagnostic done. There computer didn't throw any codes, which is weird because I have the standard door ajar light problem that many others have. So no codes show, they deduce that the battery has a short, and change it. This morning I drive a few blocks and the electrical power started going on and off. One minute all instruments and lights work, next minute there dead. They were going on and off (it was dark out) every few seconds. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on here. I'm worried it could be the PCM problems I've read about.
Any suggestions?

Feb 18, 2014 | 10:36 PM

ctubutis

Moderator

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 22,415

Likes: 92

From: Denver Metro Area, CO

I wouldn't expect the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to have any knowledge of things that have no bearing on the operation of the engine/transaxle - things like door ajar lamps, dash lamps, etc.

Sounds like you need to get your battery and alternator/charging system checked out... have the battery load-tested, remove the alternator and bring it to a parts store and have them check it on their diagnostic checker machine. That's where I'd start (and this is assuming all the wiring (especially under the hood) is unmolested and in good shape).

Feb 19, 2014 | 09:03 AM

tomw

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 4,907

Likes: 39

From: suburban atlanta

I'd be inspecting the grounds and wires and power distribution box under the hood. The description is typical of a poor connection. The replacement of the battery might have been premature, depending a load test and holding a charge. Generally batteries that fail instantaneously, fail for good, cannot be re-charged, and will barely allow using jumper cables to start the engine. This is the circumstance when a battery starts up fine, just as previous, and will not start the engine after a few mile drive, won't crank, dims the lights as you try to crank. So, I'd be leery of a battery failure causing the problem.
I would look for loose ground or cables, and check under the large fuse panel right near the battery. Pull the fuses and re-seat them. If any of the fuses look corroded, they might cause poor connection.
There is also a fuse box on the left side kick panel that was getting rained on by a poor body seal. If that corrodes it can cause problems. This is under the dash, to the left of the steering column. You have to look under the dash to see.
tom

Feb 20, 2014 | 05:30 PM

idfergusson

Senior User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 467

Likes: 0

From: Regina,Saskatchewan

My daughter has a 2005 Escape and a similar thing happened to it today.She was driving it and all of a sudden the radio shut off and the gauges stopped working and the engine died.She called me and when I got there it started fine and then she drove for a few blocks and it died again.I figured the battery was shorting out so I threw in another battery and she was able to drive a few miles home without a problem.I checked at home and the battery isn't charging, I get about 12.5v when shut off and about 11.8 when running.The battery light on the dash isn't illuminated but I know it works as it comes on when you first turn the key to the start position.

Feb 23, 2014 | 07:25 PM

D Lab

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

forgot to add

One thing I forgot to add. When my electrical power was going on and off, my vehicle still drove ok. The engine didn't quit.

Feb 23, 2014 | 10:49 PM

ctubutis

Moderator

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 22,415

Likes: 92

From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Lab

One thing I forgot to add. When my electrical power was going on and off, my vehicle still drove ok. The engine didn't quit.

In your first post, you say "Just up and quit. It started right away with a jump" but now you're saying the engine didn't quit? Which is it?

Sounds to me like you're trying to condense many different events into a short description.

If it were me, I would first verify the voltage at the battery with a voltmeter *with the engine running* and, assuming that's OK (just over 14V is normal) then I'd begin looking at the connections at the battery as well as the power distribution box, this sounds typical of a corroded or bad connection someplace.

Mar 23, 2014 | 09:03 PM

berriospa

New User

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

I have a 2006 Escape XLT 4 cyl. with similar issues. While driving the gauges and dash lights start flickering on and off. The engine continues to run however, once I stop the engine it won't start up without a jump. I've replaced the battery and the alternator. The problems went away for a little while (about 1 month) but it starting to do the same thing. Sometimes it just doesn't start. Has anyone had the same problem and found the solution?