Hi guys, this 2000 Ford Escort was towed in, unable to start out. Piece of cake, I thought, as I walked out to the automobile, jump box in hand. the primary symptom I noticed was uncommon though…the MIL was on, dimly, even with the key in my hand.
I verified the grievance by trying to start out the engine. Nothing…no power to any system within the automobile that I might see.I popped the hood and connected the jumper, and tried once more.
Still nothing.
OK, not going simply a battery issue. I gathered up some facilitate, and pushed the automobile into the buy a better look.
The dim MIL, even with the key out of the automobile, bugged me.I tested the battery and it passed with flying colours. Next step was to see the fuses since the most junction box is true adjacent. consecutive clue was power at each headlight fuses…12.6 volts on one facet of every fuse, and 11.6 volts on the opposite facet.Actually, in hindsight, this was 2 clues.A 1.0 volt distinction from facet to facet, and power on a fuse that’s solely “on” when the headlights are on. and that they weren’t.
With the key on, the MIL regained its traditional illumination. however that was it. No dash lights, no instrument operate, no radio, power windows, nothing.
OK, therefore why was there power at the headlight fuses? i have to be handling a haul within the main power feed to the automobile…between the battery and also the ignition perhaps.Let’s unplug the ignition and see what happens.
Still have power at the headlight fuses.
Now i am obtaining a case of “tunnel vision” and begin unplugging connectors from the fuse box thinking there’s some variety of short to power there.From the schematics, i believed that was the sole common link left.First, I removed the headlight relay…the supply of power to the fuses…and the fuses were still hot.I unfolded the fuse block to seem for visual harm and located none. Time to run away for awhile and rethink things.
My decision? go back to to basics. it absolutely was in for a “no start” grievance, which suggests that beginning with the battery ub1280. I had already tested the battery itself, and located it absolutely purposeful. Next step was to check for voltage drop, and considering I saw that a universal ground clamp had been put in checking the bottom facet initial gave the impression of an affordable next step. I turned the headlights on to urge current flowing, and measured two. 65v drop between the negative battery post and also the cable simply behind this “universal” clamp! Removing the cable from the clamp it absolutely was straightforward to ascertain the explanation for the replacement terminal…corrosion on the wiring was obvious. I cut some back, and reconnected to ascertain if i used to be on the proper track. With the headlights on, there was no additional drop across the terminal, however the matter remained.
OK, let’s go all the thanks to the load and check once more. Using the left facet headlight as my take a look at purpose, I measured one.54v drop between the headlight ground pin and also the battery post. Tracing back, I continued to live this drop all the high to the battery ground cable attachment purpose simply at the firewall on the left facet of the engine compartment. the bottom cable on the Escort truly attaches to ground at 2 points on the one cable, with these 2 contacts in series with one another.