[SPARTEN II]

Yesterday the ABS light in my Escape started coming on when I would stop at traffic lights. It didn't happen every time I would stop, it just happened a few times. The light would go off right when I started moving again. Also, whenever the light would come on my stereo would cut out.

After that happened, the Escape was parked for about 4 hours. When I went to start it again, the battery was dead. Not completely dead, just enough so that I would only hear clicks when I turned the ignition key. I had to jump start it with another car. The ABS light didn't come on at all after that when I went home, but today it happened a few times again.

Anyone know what the problem is?

 

[jpark]

As soon as I saw this post, I thought that this would help:

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=299&p=27&hilit=abs+recall#p27

Under the hood, look at the wiring close to the master cylinder. If any part of it looks frayed or burned, your Escape was affected by this recall.

Take your Escape to any Ford dealer and mention this recall. In fact, print it out.

 

[SPARTEN II]

I looked, and none of the wiring looks frayed or burned. I got a letter about this recall about a year ago and I took it to a Ford dealer then, and they fixed the problem.

 

[jpark]

Another problem that early Escapes had was the area inside the driver-side kick panel, behind the fuse panel. If there's moisture or corrosion in that opening, that may be the cause of the other shorts/cutouts.

But I'd take it back anyway. The recall fixed the problem, but it may not have fixed the problems that the bad harness may have caused.

It's worth a try, since other harnesses may need to be replaced. And they may do it for free if it's related to the recall.

 

[SPARTEN II]

I took my car to an Advance Auto Parts store because they do free battery/alternator tests. They told me that I need a new alternator.

How hard is it to replace an alternator? Should I bring the car to a repair shop, or can I do it myself?

 

[jonas1022]

For a 2002 V-6 Escape, this is how to do it yourself. Read this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=570

 

[Surfscape]

Everytime my alternator goes bad the ABS light is the first to shine. It must be very dependent on a full 12 volts... I was going to say test your alternator.

 

[CrashNburn]

i had to take mine in at 98,000km for this problem. the dealership removed all connectors that they were able to reach, and put dielectric grease on them, and inspected them for burn marks. took the guy about a 1/2hr, during which time i took a brand new 08 for a drive and got a coffee lol.