Anonymous

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I've got a 96 Escort Cosworth that will not hold a charge in the battery, the fuel and temp guages don't light up, the heater blower and air con stopped working, the electric windows stopped working, and the stereo switches off briefly when I flash full beam, and the remote boot lock won't work either.

I've tried a new battery with no luck. Got the windows to work, but only by running a new earth directly to the window switch.

If I charge the battery, it'll start the car, but leave it overnight and it's not got enough charge to start it then.

This is driving me insane, can anyone help?

Damo V

Fuel and temp gauges, common fault, mine have been replaced previously..

presumably you have checked fuses??

Have you had/ got an alarm with remote boot release and window roll up??

Personally with a list like that on an EARLIER car I would straight away suggest a new fuse box!! BUT a car of that year shouldve had the latter type fitted already??

I replaced my fusebox, Im not an auto electrtian BUT WAS very straightforward.

JUST got to make sure you get the right codes, if you drop down the drivers side section of dashboard where your legs are, the fuse box is behind that, unclip it, as if you were going to change relay there is a big long number like VA896796 then at the end it will have something like BAA, BAB, BBA, etc....

Go to Fords, give em your reg number they will give u fuse box, make sure it got the same last three digits, the one listed for my car was wrong, didnt work S/roof or mirrors

Just as another point I replaced my fusebox when i lost ALL lights and blower and summat else just like that as I flased someone at a junction....

oh and the boxes vary greatlky in price from £120 - £190....

Anonymous

Thanks for the reply, checked all fuses and they are OK, will be trying a new fuse box as soon as I can get one.

It has got an alarm with window roll up (that part stopped working also), no boot release though.

Battery warning light is glowing faintly whenever the car is running, gets brighter when I rev it, and brighter still if I apply brakes.

I hate car electrical problems.

Damo V

hmmm could have an alternator prob too, any decent local competent garage should be able to check your charge rate...

Fozy

......or a bad earth strap somewhere.

Anonymous

QUITE POSSIBLY THE FUSE BOX IS SHAGGED, ESCORTS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THAT.

EITHER A NEW ONE, OR WHAT I DID WAS TO RESOLDER EVERY JOINT I COULD GET THE IRON ON!

Anonymous

Thanks for all the help everyone, I've decided it's time to get some work done on the car now anyway, so when it goes in a couple of weeks, they can sort the electrical problems as well as rebuilding everything else.