my escapes electrical system is pulsing, headlights, interior lights etc... what could be the problem? please please dont tell me its the alt if it is i might just take it out to pasture and put one in the headlight, could lit be the battery? please help
yarritspete
I'll look at the service DVD tomorrow morning. My guess is the alternator/regulator, but I haven't had that kind of problem in any car recently, so I could be waaay off on that.
What is your Escape's model year, and which engine do you have?
What is your Escape's model year, and which engine do you have?
You should be able to find a shop that will test the battery and alternator for free. Over here the parts shops will do it for you as well.
I know my interior lights pulse when the battery gets low, but by that time the headlights don't even illuminate. My headlights have pulsed before when excessive load was placed on the DRL relay.
I know my interior lights pulse when the battery gets low, but by that time the headlights don't even illuminate. My headlights have pulsed before when excessive load was placed on the DRL relay.
Do your lights dim and go back instantly, or does it stay dim for a while?
The alternator just died in my '03 and the lights were doing all sorts of wierd things.
If they dim for a bit, try giving it some gas and see if the lights go back to bright.
The alternator just died in my '03 and the lights were doing all sorts of wierd things.
If they dim for a bit, try giving it some gas and see if the lights go back to bright.
Did you get the battery tested yet? Here are the ground locations.
G100 (B6):
G101 (E3):
G102 (E5), G103 (E5):
G104 (E6), G105 (E6):
G106 (B2), G107 (A5):
G108 (E3):
G200 (D2), G201 (D2), G205 (D7):
G202 (D7), G203 (D7):
G300 (D7), G301 (D7):
G400 (B6), G401 (E3):
G402 (D2), G403 (D2):
G404 (A4):
G100 (B6):
G101 (E3):
G102 (E5), G103 (E5):
G104 (E6), G105 (E6):
G106 (B2), G107 (A5):
G108 (E3):
G200 (D2), G201 (D2), G205 (D7):
G202 (D7), G203 (D7):
G300 (D7), G301 (D7):
G400 (B6), G401 (E3):
G402 (D2), G403 (D2):
G404 (A4):
My 2001 Tribby LX (v6) has the same annoying issue: pulsating dash & headlights.
My alternator has been changed about 4 years ago, and the battery about 3 years ago.
I had the car since new. 73,000 Km as of today (+/-).
Had the car at the dealership a few months ago, explained the situation, I was told that the alternator and battery tested out fine. For a more detailed check, they said they would have to remove the dashboard, but that is labor intense - a few hours at 100+/hr rate. So I passed. Unfortunately, Squishys photobucket links are not working anymore.
Not sure what to check. Need asome assistance.
Thanks
My alternator has been changed about 4 years ago, and the battery about 3 years ago.
I had the car since new. 73,000 Km as of today (+/-).
Had the car at the dealership a few months ago, explained the situation, I was told that the alternator and battery tested out fine. For a more detailed check, they said they would have to remove the dashboard, but that is labor intense - a few hours at 100+/hr rate. So I passed. Unfortunately, Squishys photobucket links are not working anymore.
Not sure what to check. Need asome assistance.
Thanks
Hello Squishy.Squishy said:
It's the one just before my post in this thread, on the previous page (photobucket links broken maybe)
Thank you
So anyone with a fix for the pulseing lights (dashboard & headlights)?
A year later, same status quo. It's not the alternator, it's not the battery. I went on different long trips without any hiccups.
The only thing is: if you push the gas pedal slightly (revs should go I believe past 1000 or 1200), then the pulseing stops, and light is "fluid" if I can say so.
Any insights anyone?
Thanks
A year later, same status quo. It's not the alternator, it's not the battery. I went on different long trips without any hiccups.
The only thing is: if you push the gas pedal slightly (revs should go I believe past 1000 or 1200), then the pulseing stops, and light is "fluid" if I can say so.
Any insights anyone?
Thanks
So is there or not a voltage regulator like on the F-150? If it is anyone knows where it's located?
Much appreciated.
Much appreciated.
The voltage regulator on the Escapes, unfortunately, is inside the alternator.Immediately, a $20 job becomes major.That is one issue which Ford should reconsider, among others, if they wish to stay high on customers satisfaction.
So this pulsating lights went one step further on the "annoyance" scale.
As mentioned above, all this pulseing dash/headlights was more of an annoyance. Yesterday, it escalated a level up. That is, the DR L's, from a slightly pulseing went to a very visible on/of at a frequency of about 1 second/cycle. If I turn the headlights on, the pulsation ceases, or is less than minimal. The battery checks OK.
What are my options?
As mentioned above, all this pulseing dash/headlights was more of an annoyance. Yesterday, it escalated a level up. That is, the DR L's, from a slightly pulseing went to a very visible on/of at a frequency of about 1 second/cycle. If I turn the headlights on, the pulsation ceases, or is less than minimal. The battery checks OK.
What are my options?
Check your alternator for "AC ripple". If your diode pack is gone, all sorts of IC controllers go crazy.
Quick update: The pulsing got back to "normal" - small light fluctuations, nothing like the "strobe" effect I had a day ago. I know it will not get any better.
I also had the car checked by the stealer a while ago for this issue, and they said they tested it - the battery & alternator, and everything checked out OK. They told me there might be another "part" behind the dash, they could not access, which might be faulty. They quoted me 100+/hr at about 4 hrs only to open/close the dash + testing that "part". Any insight on this?
I also had the car checked by the stealer a while ago for this issue, and they said they tested it - the battery & alternator, and everything checked out OK. They told me there might be another "part" behind the dash, they could not access, which might be faulty. They quoted me 100+/hr at about 4 hrs only to open/close the dash + testing that "part". Any insight on this?
It drives me nuts. The "strobe" pulsing is back!!! And only with DRL's. Nothing with the headlights on. Battery shows correct voltage.
I think the Daytime Running Lights run on AC current. Well, if not AC, then pulsed rather than DC. If that is the case, you may be getting feedback from the DRL to the rest of the electrical system.
I would attempt to turn off the DRL system, or remove it from the circuit, to see if the pulsation stopped. If it did, I would expect that there is a feedback from the DRL to the rest of the system. When you turn the headlights on, the DRL is disabled, which would remove the pulse, as you report.
tom
Edit: The DRL is not run from A/C current, as I just looked at a PDF of the 2001 escape headlight wiring. If you pull the DRL relay, the lights will not come on unless you manually energize them. I think that will disable High beams...
That would be a good test, but I am thinking that you have an A/C ripple in your alternator output, which can only be 'seen' by an oscilloscope. You may be able to detect A/C with a DVOM.
I would attempt to turn off the DRL system, or remove it from the circuit, to see if the pulsation stopped. If it did, I would expect that there is a feedback from the DRL to the rest of the system. When you turn the headlights on, the DRL is disabled, which would remove the pulse, as you report.
tom
Edit: The DRL is not run from A/C current, as I just looked at a PDF of the 2001 escape headlight wiring. If you pull the DRL relay, the lights will not come on unless you manually energize them. I think that will disable High beams...
That would be a good test, but I am thinking that you have an A/C ripple in your alternator output, which can only be 'seen' by an oscilloscope. You may be able to detect A/C with a DVOM.
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