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my ford escort 1.8 diesel van would not start this morning, everything was normal, lights on dash etc, but when i turned the key nothing happened, as if there was no battery connected, i've checked fuses and the battery is fully charged.
Country: United KingdomMake: FordModel: EscortYear: 2001Engine: 1.8 diesel Already Tried: checked fuses
Hello and Welcome to justanswer..
When you turn the key to the start position - exactly what happens - to the engine - and to the dash lights ?
When i turn key the engine lights come on the dash as normal but the engine does nothing at all, it doesn't try to turn over and then the lights go off
right - so you turn the key to the "start" position ..at which point the lights go off?
when the key is fully turned and won't turn any further
Ok, you say the battery is fully charged - how do you know that for sure?
because everything else is working
Ok- thats a common error to be perfectly honest - the battery can be charged enough to light the lights - work the radio, work the wipers , sound the horn etc etc - but the starter on this 1800 diesel takes a lot more draw - around 55 amps compared to 2 or 3 for the others... Your symptoms as you described at the outset do belie a flat ot low battery... so, you need to have that checked to be sure - using jump leads from another vehilce..or fit a known good or new battery ... if the battery is more than 2-3 years old, it is suspect. But check the connections on the battery too first.just in case - but your symptoms are indeed that of a flat / low battery.. failing that , the starter motor is suspect ... battery 90 % - starter motor 10 % in these circumstances.
but even a low battery would try and turn the engine..wouldn't it?
No not if its to low- as I mentioned.. What is the led doing on the dash when you try to turn the engine - the alarm / immobilser one?
nothing at all
Have you tried your spare key?
i'll go try
ok -
and please not exactly what the led does if it still wont start
still nothing
ok did you not the led?
sorry - note.
nothing
Ok, this is important here.. do you recall the light working before this?
I think so
right - lock the van up - and watch to see if the led is flashing as it should to say its armed..
ok
watch it for 1 min - to ensure it works
it's not flashing
did it come ON at any point at all ?
no
Okay... in that case, there is a fault with the immobilser circuit... that is more diffitcult though I can give you a pointer ...
On these , above the diesel injection pump is a loom of wiring with a connector on the loom - check those wires / cables there and check carefully, the connectors - especially the one in the loom. Its common for them to come loose.. so open it all up and check the connectors for corrosion / bad or broken wires etc. You said you have checked the fuses so that will rule those issues out - if you have no security led on, there is either a break in the circuit for whatever reason as above - or, the immobilser module has failed - at which point, you will need Ford plug diagnostics ( or a garage that has the equipment -a lot do ) to trace the fault dwon and rectify it - - so check the wiring carefully first..its not going to be obvious , you need to search it through.
ok will do
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Experience: 34 years experience of motor vehicle diagnostics