Looking for some help please!


I’ve recently rebuilt the engine in my 2001 Escape with Auto Transmission. While checking things over I noticed that the engine cooling fans were not coming on once the engine warmed up. I began doing the usual point to point wire testing and fuse check. While doing this testing I started the engine several times to see if the fans would work. I am able to verify that the fans will work by jumping power across the high speed and low speed relay contacts so I’m guessing I have an ECT Sensor problem.
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But now I’ve run across another problem.
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For some reason the truck will not start. It has been starting just fine until this point. It’s never done this before. When I turn the key to Run all the lights on the dash come on as usual. I did notice that the tach and speed needles will swing all the way clockwise then come back to their normal position but I don’t remember if that is something new. When I turn the key to Start, the starter does not engage. While doing the fan testing, the key was in the ignition the whole time and most of the time the ignition was in the Run position.
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From point to point wire checks I can verify that when the key is turned to Start there is power through the Ignition Switch, through the Transmission Range Switch, through the Start Relay coil, through the Starter Relay Diode, and to the PCM.
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I can also verify that if I jump across the Start Relay contact points that the starter will engage normally. But even with the Ignition Switch in the Run position, the engine will not start.
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The truck has an aftermarket security system. I am able to Arm, Disarm, and put it into Valet Mode as usual. There is no difference in my start problem in either configuration.
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I’m using the same ignition key as usual and there is nothing else on the key ring.
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I charged the battery overnight.
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The Theft light flashes slow and steady at a rate of about one time every two seconds when the key is put into the ignition switch. The Theft light is off when the key ignition switch is in the Run position.

Any ideas on what to do next are appreciated.

Thanks
Jason

 

Hey Jason,

Well you have done a great job of explaining all the things you've done. The one thing I noticed, and I don't know if it will help. You stated that you did notice that the tach and speed needles will swing all the way clockwise then come back to their normal position. This is what happens if you disconnect the battery for any length of time. Maybe somewhere you have a bad connection from the battery, although it looks like you've documented what you've done. That's the only thing I see that's amiss. Some of the others may be able to chime in on what else to look for.

Also most of the time your fans should not be kicking on, unless your running your AC, or periodically when your sitting in traffic. The 01 Escape calls for a 188 degree thermostat, but most automotive places show a 192 degree thermostat for the Escape. When I recently did some work on my 01 the local parts store gave me a 192 degree thermostat, that's what their data based showed. Well it would cause my fans to come on and stay on (both) all the time once it was warmed up. I checked Fords specs and it showed 188 degree, so even just 4 degrees higher caused my fans to run all the time. My local Napa store was the only store besides Ford that carried the correct thermostat. So maybe at some point in the past a 192 was put in and you thought that it was correct to put it in, then during the engine rebuild the correct 188 was put in and because your fans were not running like they had in the past you thought something was wrong, when in actuality it's performing normally. (Hey I'm just guessing on that but, your fans may be working correctly all along).

Sorry I can't be of any other help in the engine starting, except checking all the connections to and from the battery, and maybe check the connection at your starter.

Scott

 

Thanks Scott;

Good info on the fans. I wish I'd have looked into that further and not tested them, then I may not be dealing with this new problem

I just double checked the bat. connection and it's ok. I forgot to mention that I did disconnect the battery at one point in hopes that something just needed to be reset. It was only after that that the tach and speedo needle did their thing. The needle swing isn't happening anymore.

One new development; For some reason, I am unable to read the PCM with my code scanner now. That was working fine before this problem occured. Now my scanner says 'Unable to establish a link with the vehicle'. The scanner that I am using is an Innova 3100.

 

I would get the obd-ii port going i bet you blew a fuse. That could be you issue. is there a relay for the PCM? I think there is

 

You were right! Thanks! It turns out the 3amp EEC fuse in the drivers kick panel was the problem.

Naturally, I had checked almost every other fuse except that one because I didn't know what EEC ment.

Thanks again for the help.