So my wife's 2005 escape currently will not start. It was running rough so we brought it in to the shop to have the codes read. There was a bad MAF sensor code so we brought it home and were gonna replace the part the next day. The next day rolls around and it refuses to start. Swapped out the spark plugs which was much needed, replaced the valve cover gasket, which had also gone bad, and put in a new MAF sensor. It still refuses to start. It will turn over, but never starts. Also, the sound as it turns over doesn't sound right. It's hard to explain what sounds off about it, it almost has a "soft" sound to it. I can try to explain better if needed. I just need to get it fixed asap. We don't really have the money to bring it in to s shop and I'm fully capable of doing the work myself anyway. The troubleshooting part is what I struggle with sometimes. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

"Soft" could be many things. Have you done a compression test?
There are reports here and there about timing chains breaking and causing issues similar to yours.
What I don't know is whether the V4 is an interference engine (I suspect it is but i could be wrong). If so, there could be valve damage from just turning the engine over.

 

Is it an inline 4 or a V6? There is no V4 in an Escape.

 

Does your Escape have the fuel pump shutoff switch in the passenger side kick panel? The owners manual says "This device stops the electric fuel pump from sending fuel to the engine when your vehicle has had a substantial jolt". It doesn't have to be an accident; I can attest from experience that a taxi driver bumping into your car will trip the switch.

 

I have not done a compression test yet. That was gonna be one of my next things to do. It is the 2.3 i4 engine. And I'm not sure about the fuel cut off switch. I'll have to check into that

 

Your 2005 Escape Owners Manual, page 213-214, says it does.

 

"Soft" sounds like it isn't firing. At all.

Turn the ignition on but don't turn it over, do you hear any whining for a second or so from the fuel tank area under the car? If you do it sounds like the fuel pump is running. If not then possibly the fuel pump is bad or being inhibited by either the cutoff switch, a blown fuse or the ECU thinks it is achieving pressure. The pump will only run for a short time to build up pressure than stop if the engine isn't running, that is normal.

Next turn her over for 5 secs. Then smell the exhaust pipe, do you smell raw gas? If so the pump IS running and the problem is likely no sparks. If you don't smell gas then likely the problem is the fuel pump as above.

Given the work you have done I'd start by retracing your steps over the valve cover area, possibly wiring is still disconnected or reversed (possible to connect the coil wires to the spark plugs in the wrong sequence...?).

Also try putting the old MAF sensor back in and see if it will start.

HTH