Hi Guys,
I have an 05 escape xls 4cyl that has started acting up in the past 2 weeks. The vehicle has 52k on the clock and has no other issues but what im posting about.
Heres the problem:
Vehicle starts fine every time you turn the key. It does not stall or idle rough when engaging the trans mission so I've concluded it has nothing to do with the torque converter. Once the car is running the vehicle will shut off randomly with the THEFT light coming on. I played with it for about 2 hours and have found that it will do this idling in Park, while in Reverse, and while in drive. The vehicle also will shut off while I am going down the road and every time it does the THEFT light is coming on as the problem starts. It does appear that it only happens when the accelerator is not depressed and will sometimes stay running if you hit the Gas Pedal as soon as it starts to happen.

I have tried using another key figuring maybe a transponder is bad...No dice does the exact same thing. I have also noted that i do hear single quiet (tock) when the vehicle shuts off coming from the drivers side lower engine compartment.

ANYONE that has a clue of what might be going on PLEASE HELP! Car is outta warranty and with it being an intermittent problem the local STEALERSHIP will undoubtedly take major time (at $85 an hour) and do what they always do to me (just start replacing random parts till the problem disappears) .

Thanks so Much for you help in advance,
Wrath

 

Sounds like a short circuit of some sort but could be anything.

First thing first, get the codes read. Buy a code reader or go o a local parts joint and have them read the codes - many do it for free. Maybe you'll get lucky and there is a trouble code associated with the problem.

Good luck with it.

 

That was the first thing I did was to check for codes. Notta. Anyone else have any ideas?

Wrath

 

OK.. I don't think this is an anti-theft issue. I think the light comes on anytime the engine stalls. Also the anti-theft prohibits starter operation...

Being it only stalls out when your foot is off of the accelerator, I'd be more inclined to think that your idle control motor is sticking...this is a pretty common problem on Fords.. carbon gets in there and kind of 'jams' it up.

Try removing it, spraying it full of intake cleaner or carb cleaner... shake it around.. pour it out.. repeat several times and reinstall. This might help.

It is a cylindrical-shaped unit held on to the side of the throttle body with two small bolts (usually 8mm bold head) and an electrical connector.

 

UPDATE:
After reading the last post I pulled the IC and cleaned it. NO DICE. And now the problem has progressed to stalling with the pedal depressed. Here is a real twist to this nightmare. It appears to me that the vehicle is losing power to the ECU for a split second when the stalling happens. Here is the kicker though, The vehicle stalled and instead of restarting it i just sat there with the key in the on position still, and to my dismay I noted that it was also activating the theft light and (if im right) losing power to the ECU for a moment. This occures totally randomly and will do this in any shifter position, aparently even if the escape is not running.
PLEASE if anyone has seen this or has any ideas I AM ALL EARS!

Thanks,
Wrath

 

as noted, I think that the theft light comes on when the engine is not running..... and I don't think your "losing power to the ecu" is accurate... how can you tell???? Since you are able to readily reproduce the problem, get a fuel pressure gauge and test / monitor your fuel pressure for drops. It sounds more like a fuel pump issue and / or related wiring / controls.

 

I do think I am actually losing power to the ECU. The vehicle would stall out slower if it was a fuel pump problem as compared to the instant stalls I am getting. My reasoning for thinking the ECU is losing power is that fact that after the vehicle has stalled and the fuel pump is no longer active the dash is still showing the same things even without the vehicle running. EI: Randomly the theft light will come on for about 5secs, the shift indicator disappears for a split second and several other dash lights illumiate for a sec or 2 (just like when you are restarting the vehicle). Please note that the last post was correct that the theft light does come on when the vehicle is not running, however it does not go on and off with the key in the on position accept for when you first turn the key to the on position. I actually have another 05 escape to compare what is happening to the one with issues.
Once again any help would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks, Wrath

 

thanks for the added info.... then if your "conjecture" is correct, you should check your battery connection and then check the PCM relay to see if it is "dropping" causing your issue.

 

OK so this topic is 4 years old now. But did the issue ever get resolved?

I've now got the same thing happening with my '02 Tribute V6. Have just rebuilt the transmission so the battery was out for a while. Starts and runs fine until I turn the A/C on. Then every 8-9 seconds the engine stalls if it is idling. If I've got a few revs up it'll miss a bit and recover quickly. The transmission though takes 2-3 seconds to recover and continue.
I too think the ECU loses power momentarily.
I will check the A/C circuits tomorrow but not sure where else to check.
Thoughts anyone?

 

So this morning I start looking over the A/C circuits and can't find anything untoward. But now it won't even start! Nothing! Like the immobiliser is keeping it all locked up.

Anyway, by chance I notice a wire clip peeping out from under a rag on the bench. Oh crap, that's the clip to lock the transmission connector in place. So battery and it's tray out to access it, pop it back in place. Maybe the plug had worked loose and without this connection the ECU just refused to play.
But then I see the real problem. Yep, I'd left the earth wires off that bolt to the battery bracket.
If you're taking the valve body cover off the transmission you need to remove the battery bracket and lower radiator hose. But last time I actually dropped the whole front sub-assembly out from under the car, which didn't require removing the battery bracket. But I must have disconnected the earth wire in preparation to remove it even though I didn't need to this time. And with it tucked behind the headlight I plain over-looked it when reassembling everything. Doh. It's the simple things that can catch you out.
All back together now, runs a treat now. A/C too!

 

Hey I am so hoping even years later you receive this reply. Mine is literally doing the exact thing, I have been going insane trying to figure it out. What did it end up being? Would be such a huge life saver if you see this ��