1992 Escort - electrical issues?

Hi :)

I just purchased a Ford Escort for $400...I fixed up the breaks but the "park"/"running" lights don't work in the back. It's not a fuse. I also have problems with the dash lights - if I signal right they go out...and I have to wiggle them so they come back on. The left side the dash doesn't even really light up (ie, the fuel and temp). I don't know if they're supposed to, I haven't looked close at it all. I just wondered if it's a common problem? I'm scared to let the mechanics go at 'er and charge me $300 in lookie lou time.

Oh and this might also be related..I don't think the lighter works b/c I used plug an CD car adapter into my old car and it won't work in this one.

Any help or ideas are very much appreciated. Thanks!!

Reply to
kendra
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sell it preferably the junk yard

hurc ast

Reply to
pickone

That's not helpful.

Reply to
kendra

Lets see if I have this right: 1: No rear tail lamps 2: Right side Inst. Panel lamps go off when you signal Right. 3: Left side Inst. Panel lamps don't work at all 4: Lighter socket dead.

Is that correct? Do the Brake lights and front park lamps work? I'll assume yes since you didn't mention them. Do the lights on the radio and heater controls come on? It sounds like you checked the fuses. I think the 92 Escort had a fuse panel under the hood also, take a look. Also, what do you "wiggle" when the lights go off on the inst. panel?

Symptom 1: First check the bulbs (just replace them, they are old anyway and inexpensive). While you are doing that look into the sockets, look for any corrosion inside. Also look for loose wires in that area. If new bulbs don't fix it and there are no obvious problems, you'll need to dig deeper.

Symptom 2and 3: This sounds like it could be a loose connector on the back of the instrument cluster (the panel that contains the speedometer and gauges). The cluster needs to come out to check this.

Symptom 4: Either a blown fuse, or defective lighter socket. If the previous owner was a smoker the socket could be filled with debris and dirt causing a poor connection.

Hope this helps, Tom

Reply to
Tom Adkins

Reply to
razz

First check to see if the recall for the fuel pump harness has been done ( your local ford dealer can run OASIS for you ). The fuel pump harness goes under the rear seat into the tank. The harness has been known to overheat due to a short at the pump connections. The harness goes all the way to the dash area and will cause all the problems you mention. You need too have someone who actually knows what they are doing check out the car, it may not be the problem, but if it is you can expect a really big bill because the only repair is the replacement of the body harness and fuel pump.

Reply to
pick one

Some Fords have a connector under the carpet that corrodes and causes funky electrical problems. Also this may sound really dumb, but check and see if you have a sensor on the bottom of your master cylinder. If you do, make sure it's not leaking. I had a 93 SHO that had that, it leaked and caused all kinds of problems, by the time I got it figured out, it was a 450$ fix. Too bad I didn't find that problem sooner.

Ken

Reply to
KENNETH MCABEE

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