Help! 1995 Escort (1.9L) won't start - continuous beeps

Hi, I was doing the following two things: 1) fixing the cigarette lighter and 2) trying to install an in-dash entertainment unit into a

1995 Ford Escort LX (Hatchback).

As result of my first attempt, I seem to have damaged something (electrically?). The car won't crank up now. There are continuous regular beeps (about 2.3 beeps per second), which resound either when door is open or, with door closed and the ignition key turned.

I think the battery is fine - lights are working. I checked both fuse boxes (underneath the steering wheel, to the left, and under the hood), and do not see any blown ones. At key position 2, my dash symbols light up (but in the #3 (ignition) position nothing happens - only the beeping)

Hypothetical question, just to be sure: if I shorted the cigarette lighter, wouldn't its fuse blow out before anything else got damaged?

Same w/the entertainment unit? (I triple-checked the instructions and made sure all the color-coded wires were color-matched (in the harness)). The unit itself has a fuse, which is intact. It now makes a brief, soft "whirring" sound upon being connected - which indicates, at least, presence of current in the harness wires. ( Beyond that, it does not function in the current circumstances, but that could be an unrelated issue).

The only thing I can think of is some extra force I applied while trying to physically insert the unit. It was catching something springy when it was still about three inches out (in my assessment it was the ball of connecting wires) but with a push, it went in, as the obstruction gave.

Upon realizing the debilitation of the car, i naturally removed the unit and examined the inside of the shelf, particularly above the insertion space, where there are parts -- I can't find any loose end that may have come loose as a result of the forced insertion.

Any ideas?

thanks

andrew

Reply to
hawk007
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Do you mean the engine won't turn over (crank) or it won't start and run while it's turning over (cranking)? What you call key position #3 is the start (cranking) position. Your #2 is the ignition/running position after starting. Try disconnecting the battery and let it stand for a few hours before reconnecting and trying to start again.

Reply to
Fordfan

sounds like a blown fuse if the car dont crank over all all check the ignition fuse

Reply to
jimmyh

Well, it's shameful to admit (and announce) this, but, I suppose, one MUST call off false alarms, no matter how painfully embarrassing they are:

While attending to multiple things yesterday, during my installation and repair, amidst much clutter surrounding the gear shift, I hadn't noticed I was not in park. Duh. Sorry guys, and thanks for the attention. Obviously no professionalism on this end :-(

(Yes, this should probably get the "dumbest call-for-help post" award of the decade)

andrew

Reply to
hawk007

My first wife did the same thing. At least you admit it was your fault. That's one of the (plethora of) reasons she is an EX-wife. :)

Reply to
Marc

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