Hi everybody,

I've had quite a weird experience in the last few days with my XLS 3.0 2003 escape. My wife went to pick up my kids from daycare, no problem getting there, but on her way back (she stayed 15 minutes in the daycare), she had the hardest time to get the car to start. I must mention that it was raining real hard. After ten minutes of trying to start it, it finally started. Now I wasn't there, so I have no idea what the symptom where. BUT, when she got home, I headed in the car and tried to start it and I got a gning... gning... gning... nothing. Like the battery died on me.

Left the car for the evening... until it was not raining anymore. Then the next morning, it started fine (well, had a bit of a hard time, like slow turning, but it got there)- voltage reading was between 12.5 and 12.8 volts when off (just after starting it and stopping it - small charge got to the battery I expect), and at idle around 13.5.

Now it seems like every time I start my car, it almost runs out of battery just before it actually starts. So I'm thinking battery, maybe regulator... although my voltages are fine (but I did not try reving up to 2000 rpm to re-check the voltage - my arms aren't long enough yet)

(my last post about alternator lifespan was because I tought it had died while my wife made her way back because it would not start again once she got home after the 15 minutes ride - but now I know the alternator is just fine).

Any suggestion of things to check for would be welcome.

Cheers.

 

1st I would say is take the battery out and have it tested. Do that first and tell us what happens. Sounds like to me you have a cell dying in the battery. Good Luck JOE

 

I'm not sure, but I think the engine idling voltage should be around 14.4 volts. Thats how it is in my Ranger and my dads GMC Envoy

 

I'm no expert, but I would expect to see my battery (charging system) indicator stay on if my voltage from my alternator would be too low...

 

A new battery would probably be in order, however that's not going to fix the engine from starting in a timely manner as it should. Check the fuel filter and clean the injectors out too.

 

Several times when I have had a battery near the end of its life, the problems cropped up during heavy rain. Why? I don't know but I am sure there is an explanation. Sounds like you need a new battery.

 

i just had to replace the battery in my 06.. it had similar symptoms.. (for only 1 day) then it just died... i'm very disappointed in the crummy battery Ford put in there. only lasted 1 year?!?! The dealer was supposedly "checking" it every time i took it in for an oil change...yeah right. A duralast battery from the 'zone is in there now..

 

Well, I ended up brigning the car to my local mechanics to at least test the battery, and the battery was fine. So they plugged it in the computer to finally figure out that the transmission ground was not grounded!?!?!

I had bought the car used and later found a receipt for work on the transmission (from a ford dealer). Well, 140$ later, it works fine with my original '03 battery.

 

Glad you finally found the problem. Grounds can cause some mysterious problems.