My son parked his '01 Escape last night, went to start it this morning, and nothing. Lights, radio etc all work, but no sound at all; no cranking. Battery is about a year or so old, and he checked that the cables are tight with no corrosion. 6cyl auto XLS with about 225.000 miles. It has been suggested that I take the battery for testing anyway, and that''s easy as there is an AZ only blocks away.

WE ARE NOT MECHANICS, but do some basic work on the vehicle when we can. Any other ideas as to what to look for...?

 

There is no evidence (yet, at least), that there is anything wrong with the battery. Leave it alone for now.

What is the THEFT light doing when the key is turned from OFF to RUN (not START)?

 

Ha. Believe it or not, I got in the truck to give it a try about the THEFT light, put my foot on the brake pedal, and for some reason thought: I wonder if the shifter is where it is supposed to be?

Sure enough, it moved up about a half inch...., it wasn't completely in park! His mother had moved it, and not being used to it, didn't get it completely in park. Simple as that...., so glad he is not into any money this time around!

 

Hmmm.... Should not have been able to remove the key if the shifter was not fully in PARK.

 

Can't explain it, but that's what it was..... Just glad that's ALL it was!