Conference terri::cars_uk

    I had a similar problem with my wife's Pug 505. The starter motor had
    to be replaced to fix it......loadsa bucks... but then, for pug 505,
    read "this car will cost you a fortune  mate!!"
    
    Hope this prospect doesn't depress you as much as it depressed my bank
    balance!!
    
    cheers   Dave

    I would suggest checking the connections on the starter solenoid and
    the starter motor before pulling the ignition switch apart.  More than
    likely the starter solenoid. It could also be a bad earth on the
    battery - this would allow the electrics to come on but as soon as you
    try to start, the connection is not good enough to cope with the
    current needed by the starting cct.
    
    Hope this helps a little.
    
    Pete D.
    

    What model of Escort is it ?
    I've had 2 mk 4's, an XR3i and an R.S. Turbo, both had starter problems
    where the solenoid contact had loosened or broken inside and would 
    start intermittently, sometimes wiggling the gearstick was enough to
    jolt the starter and make it burst into life, the cure was a new
    starter.
    A common fault according to the Ford dealers.
    
    Nick.

    Its a MK 3 RS Turbo, I'll check the things suggested at the wekend.
    
    Thanks chaps.
    
    M:

I had to call out the RAC for this just a couple of days ago for my XR3i

The very helpful RAC man knew exactly what it was and it seems its a
known problem.

He pulled a heavy-duty connector to the ignition which he got to from beneath
the car at the front. He greased the connector and replaced it and bingo!

The symptom was somewhat like a jammed starter motor, there was a click when you
turned the key to start the motor, the radio would cut out as usual but the
starter didn't budge.

Even more annoying for me was this was the second incident of a known problem
which had resulted in me and my car stranded on the same petrol forecourt
in the last couple of months. The other problem is more widely known, the
symptom being that the engine turns over quite happily, but theres no hint of
it firing. That problem is due to a small connector to the timing sensor, which
plugs into the engine block low down at the front. Apparently Ford now use
gold plated connections on this lead...

-Mike-

Hi

I have an Escort MK 3 and I have noticed over the past couple of weeks that when 
I turn the engine off and have the key my hand, the engine still seems to rev a 
couple of times before it goes off !

Any ideas what the problems is ?

Sandra

	Hi, it sounds like it is "Running on".  Cars do this when they
	get all coked up (carbon coating in the cylinders).  Usually 
	because they're not set up properly, something like a too 
	rich mixture.  The answer is to get the car set up properly.

	Dave

    It's called "pre-ignition", and is generally caused by one of two
    things. As Dave said in .7, it can be caused by an excess of carbon
    inside the engine. What happens is it becomes sufficiently hot to
    spontaneously ignite the petrol/air mixture. It can also be caused by
    the ignition timing being too advanced. The carbon problem is rarely
    sufficent on its own, it's usually a combination of the two. Basically,
    it needs a tune-up. With the correct timing, the carbon (if that's the
    problem) will not cause pre-ignition. Does the engine pink (make a
    rattling noise) under load or when cold?
    
    Laurie.

If my memory serves, the Escort has a special device fitted to the
carb to prevent this. It is basically an electronically operated
valve, which closes when the ignition is on, and opens when the ignition
is off. When open, it lets air in to the manifold.

Could be that this valve is sticking ... staying closed, and not venting
when you switch off.

Thank you for your help.  I have decided to take it in to a garage to be looked
at as it also stalls going 40mph, holds back when foot on gas and makes a 
popping noise under the bonnet !!

Sandra

p.s Sounds a bit porley to me !