Ford Escape Won’t Start: What Are the Causes & Solutions?

Ford Escape won’t start is a problem that can leave you stranded. If you are having a problem starting your Ford Escape, various factors may contribute to this problem.

In this post, you will learn the various causes of this issue and how you can solve it.

Why Won’t Your Ford Escape Start? Most Popular Causes

Your Ford Escape won’t start if it has a dead battery. A weak or dead battery is a common cause of this issue. The battery in your car provides the initial electrical power to start the engine. When you turn on the car, the starter motor engages.

The thing is, the starter motor requires a significant amount of electrical power to crank the engine and get it running. Thus, if the battery is dead, it means it doesn’t have enough charge to provide the necessary electrical power to the starter motor.

As a result, you may hear a clicking sound or notice that the dashboard lights and accessories are weak or not working at all. In this case, the starter motor may not receive enough power to turn the engine over, which prevents the vehicle from starting. If Ford Escape not starting in cold weather, a weakened battery could be to blame.

• Faulty Ignition Switch: Your Key Turns but Car Stays Mum

Another reason why your Ford Escape may not start is because of a faulty ignition switch. The ignition switch initiates the ignition process and activates various electrical systems in the vehicle.

When you insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the “ON” position, it sends a signal to the vehicle’s electrical system. This activates important components such as the fuel pump, starter motor, and ignition system. These components work together to start the engine. If it is faulty, it could be the reason your 2015 ford escape won’t start just clicks.

If the ignition switch is faulty, it is unable to transmit the signal or engage the necessary systems. As a result, when you turn the key, there is no response, or the dashboard lights and accessories do not turn on. This prevents the starter motor from receiving the necessary power to crank the engine and start the vehicle. It can cause the 2017 Ford Escape starting problems.

• Faulty Alternator Plunges Your Car Into Electrical Chaos

A faulty alternator is another reason why your Ford Escape won’t start or has difficulty starting. The alternator plays a crucial role in charging the battery and supplying electrical power to your car’s systems. It is responsible for converting mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy, which powers various electrical components in the vehicle while also charging the battery.

If the alternator is faulty or not functioning properly, it is unable to provide sufficient electrical power to the battery or other electrical systems. For instance, when the battery does not get enough charge because of a faulty alternator, the starter motor does not receive the necessary power to turn the engine over. This results in a no-start or slow-cranking situation.

• Dead Key Fob Battery Leaves You Stranded in Keyless Car

A dead key fob is another culprit that can make your Ford Escape not start. This is particularly true if the vehicle relies on a keyless entry and ignition system. In vehicles with keyless entry and ignition systems, the key fob plays an important role in transmitting signals to the vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU). The signals authorize the process of starting the engine.

Usually, the key fob has a battery that powers the transponder that allows it to communicate with the vehicle. If the key fob battery is dead or significantly depleted, it could be unable to transmit the necessary signals to the vehicle’s ECU. As a result, when you press the start button, the vehicle will not recognize the key fob’s presence or authorization, and the engine will not start.

Furthermore, some key fobs have an immobilizer or anti-theft system built-in. If the key fob battery is dead, it can cause the immobilizer system to engage. This is going to prevent the engine from starting as a security measure. This could explain why the Ford Escape push start not working.

• Faulty Starter Motor Makes Turning on the Engine Elusive

If your Ford Escape has a faulty starter it could be the reason it won’t start. The starter initiates the engine’s combustion process. Once you turn the key or press the push-start button, an electrical current is sent to the starter motor, which engages a gear to connect with the engine’s flywheel. The Ford Escape starter motor then rotates the flywheel, which turns the engine’s crankshaft, initiating the combustion process and starting the vehicle.

However, if the starter motor is faulty, it will not engage or function properly. As a result, when you turn the key, you may hear a clicking noise or notice that the engine does not crank or turn over. In some cases, the starter motor may engage but fail to provide enough power to effectively rotate the engine, resulting in a slow or weak cranking action.

Several issues can contribute to a faulty starter motor. These can include worn-out starter motor components, such as the solenoid or brushes, electrical connection problems, or a malfunctioning ignition switch that fails to send the necessary signals to the starter motor. Also, if your ford escape won’t start after battery replacement, a faulty starter could be the cause.

• Clogged Fuel Filter Silently Sabotages Engine Start

Another reason your Ford Escape won’t start is because of a clogged fuel filter. A clogged filter restricts the flow of fuel to the engine. Although the fuel filter removes impurities from the fuel before reaching the engine, over time, the filter can become clogged with dirt.

When the fuel filter clogs too much, it restricts the flow of fuel. This will result in fuel starvation or inadequate fuel supply to the engine. The engine’s combustion process requires a precise mixture of air and fuel. A clogged fuel filter limits the amount of fuel reaching the engine, which affects the air-fuel ratio. This can potentially prevent the engine from starting.

• Bad Pump Can Hinder the Process of Starting Car Engine

If your Ford Escape has a bad fuel pump, it can interfere with the ignition process. Fuel pump delivers fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. Thus, if it malfunctions, it may result in insufficient fuel reaching the engine, leading to ignition issues.

The moment you push the ignition, it activates the fuel pump to start pumping fuel to the engine. If the fuel pump is bad, it may not provide sufficient pressure or volume of fuel. As a result, the engine may struggle to start or not start at all. In some cases, the engine will start briefly and then stall due to the inadequate fuel supply.

There are several reasons why a fuel pump may fail. It could be due to a worn-out motor, electrical issues, or fuel contamination that damages the pump’s internal components. Fuel delivery issues could cause the 2017 Ford Escape intermittent starting problem.

What Is the Solution for Ford Escape That Won’t Start?

The solution for Ford Scape that won’t start is to swap a dead battery with a new one or jump-start a discharged one. With the help of jumper cables, a portable jump-starter kit, or a friendly vehicle, you can solve the start problem in your car.

The process of jump-starting allows your vehicle’s alternator to rekindle the battery’s strength. Once the engine springs to life, the alternator assumes its role of charging the battery. With each revolution, it sends a stream of electrical energy back into the battery.
This replenishes the battery’s vitality to ensure in the future you won’t have to endure the same predicament. However, if your vehicle’s battery is dead, the best solution is to replace it with a new one.

• Replace Faulty Starter Motor or Alternator: Quick Solution

After you establish a faulty starter motor or alternator is to blame, replace them to solve the issue. For instance, replacing the Ford Escape failed starter motor with a fresh one swiftly engages the flywheel, enabling the engine to roar back to life.

Besides, replacing a faulty alternator with a new, dependable counterpart revitalizes the engine’s energy source. This restores charging capability which ensures the battery remains charged, ready to provide the electrical power required for future starts.

• Change Fuel Filter to Clear the Pathway to the Engine

Another solution to Ford Escape that won’t start is to change the clogged fuel filter. By changing the fuel filter, you remove any debris obstructing the flow of fuel. Like a breath of fresh air, the fresh fuel filter revitalizes the engine’s fuel supply, rekindling easy ignition.

The process of changing the fuel filter involves removing the old, clogged filter and replacing it with a new one. This relatively simple yet impactful task restores the engine’s access to clean and filtered fuel. As a result, the engine regains its ability to start and power the vehicle. This way, you get rid of the issue that is causing ignition difficulties.

• Replace or Repair Faulty Fuel Pump To Restore Fuel Supply

Replacing or repairing a faulty or failing fuel pump is key to unlocking the solution and reviving your vehicle’s ignition. In some cases, a complete replacement of the fuel pump is necessary. This is especially true if the pump has significant damage or wear. A new fuel pump restores the necessary fuel pressure and ensures a consistent supply to the engine for optimal combustion.

Alternatively, depending on the fault, a repair may be possible. This could involve fixing or replacing individual components within the fuel pump, such as the motor or pressure regulator. For this, you may need a skilled technician to diagnose the issue and determine the best course of action for repairing the fuel pump. This approach can be a cost-effective and efficient way of breathing new life into your fuel pump by restoring its proper function.

• Address the Shortcoming With Your Keyfob To Solve the Issue

There are several ways you can address the issue if your keyfob is the cause of the problem. First, consider replacing the battery in your keyfob with a new one to rejuvenate its ability to communicate with the vehicle. Second, you can re-program the key fob can restore harmony. Through a sequence of carefully timed steps, you can reconnect the key fob and the vehicle. This will reestablish their bond and grant the key fob the power to ignite the engine once more.

Third, a backup key fob may come to your rescue. Should you possess a spare key fob, perhaps dormant in a drawer, you should give it a try. Switching to the backup key fob bypasses any internal issues the primary fob may be experiencing. This allows the vehicle to recognize the authorized signal and grants you the power to start the engine.

Conclusion

In this post, you have learned the various reasons your Ford Escape has a start problem and how to solve it.

A quick recap:

• The issue arises from various triggers such as a dead battery, a faulty ignition, a faulty starter motor, and a faulty alternator.
• Other causes include key fob issues, a clogged fuel filter, and a bad fuel pump.
• Solutions to the problem include replacing a dead battery, Jump-starting your car, replacing a faulty alternator or starter motor, and addressing issues with the key fob.
• Also, you can solve the issue by changing the fuel filter and or replacing or repairing a faulty fuel pump.
• Some of these causes and solutions need a professional to diagnose and solve them.

Now that you know the various causes and solutions to this issue, you can easily address it to make your car start.