[Bocaboy]

There must be a connection.

Here's the time line of events.

Left the car (95 LX 1.9 wagon) at the airport while on vacation. And left the lights on. Not smart, I know. Would not turn over no matter what. AAA noticed the main fuse had blown. Replaced it. Car started but the battery (4 yrs old) wouldn't hold a charge.

Got a new battery.

Suddenly I'm running hot. But the coolant is right and there are no leaks.

Then the car just up and died. On I-95 no less.

Replaced the alternator and was back in business though still running hot. The fan would not come on.

Yesterday I noticed that when I was at a stoplight the a/c compressor seemed to make the car want to go forward and the cold air would momentarily turn warm then back to cold.

Before I had a chance to attend to the running hot problem, the car started to cough and sputter as if not it was not getting enough gas.

Also, the fasten seat belt beeper sounds at random even though the seat belt is fastened. And the horn quit working.

Is there a connection between the running hot & running rough and the fuse & alternator? I am assuming the alternator is working properly but its only been a day. The belt was in top shape so I didn't change it. The common denominator seems to be that all of these problem appear to be electrical in nature. Am I right?

Several months ago I replaced the thermostat and also replaced the fuel pump. Everything was fine until the main fuse blew.

Any clues will be much appreciated. I have the Haynes manual. I just don't know where to look.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kim]

I'd have to say that in reading your post I could relate. Except my problems didn't arise from leaving the lights on. I took it to have some old things replaced before they broke like the timing belt and water pump.

Prior to this I had the alternator belt replaced. Then after the other two repairs the alternator needed to be replaced. I didn't have anymore problems for a couple months.

Turns out the repairs were done bad so the water pulley broke due to loose bolts. It began to feel like fixing anything had been what caused it to go bad. I also like you had to replace the thermostat, and I still need to replace my fan relay switch because opposite of you my fan runs all the time. I have a 94GT 78000 miles, close to the same age as yours.

Your fan not running is most likely the reason it is running hot. The main fuse being replaced is what is likely to be causing your electrical issues. Your alternator is probably working correctly and I think it dieing around this age is common. Your fan is either not working because of the fuse or just simple died due to age. The thermostat and fuel pump being replaced probably isn't contributing to the issues.

I'm no expert on cars, I've been learning over the past six months with my car issues and now a bit here. I would say your best bet to know for sure and keep your scort happy is to have a professional look at the fuses and then take a look at the repaired areas to make sure all were installed correctly. Once the electrical is in order if the fan isn't working have it replaced. I think with all this done your scort will be back to flyin around Mine's still kickin it so chances are yours will too. Fuse+Fan and you'll be all good.

 

[highanddry]

I think your car was hit by lightning while at the airport. :lol:

I fail to understand how your main fuse blew from leaving your lights on. That fugger is rated at 100 amps I think. I gotta believe it blew when AAA jumped your car. The fact that some acute event occurred to cause your main fuse to blow is the root of your problems. I'm a bit concerned that you're gonna be left with electrical gremlins forever now.

I gotta go and scratch my nuts about this one some more.

 

[Bocaboy]

I'm workin on it but keep the ideas coming

Thanx Kim and Highanddry for your thoughts.

I'm going to spend the morning on the car and see what happens.

I'll be doing this between watching reports on Hurricane Frances who is headed straight for my house.

What a friggin week.

Keep the ideas comin' in.

 

[Robofunc]

Fix the fan, then see what happens. That'd be the best thing i can think of.

This hurricane is supposed to be worse than Charley. i hope it doesn't punch through to my side of the state. Good luck!

 

[zzyzzx]

The only think that I can think of that would cause the 100A fuse to go is the leaving the headlights on. As the headlights dim, they would draw as much current as they could in their attempt to stay on at a reduced voltage (reduced voltage = more current). For some reason in your case it was enough to make your fuse go (still shouldn't happen, but it did).

I don't think it's related to anything else though. I think it's coincidental. your car simply didn't like being left alone for several days.

 

[SyStEmDw]

Maybe look for the other fuse and look at the fuse that AAA put in!

 

[Jeffescortlx]

AAA Jumped the car with the jumper cables backwards.

The fuse will not blow if the light are left on. The worst thing that can happen from that is the battery will be killed. The main fuse will blow if power is hooked up backwards.

 

[zzyzzx]

AAA Jumped the car with the jumper cables backwards.

The fuse will not blow if the light are left on. The worst thing that can happen from that is the battery will be killed. The main fuse will blow if power is hooked up backwards.

It was just a guess. The putting on the jumper cables backwards does dounds more plausable. I've never heard that one before though.

 

[highanddry]

I'm with Jeff.

The first thing I'd do is replace your main ground from the battery (it may well be damaged even though the fuse should protect it). You can get a replacement for peanuts. Then see if your other symptoms disappear.

Report back after that. I'd tell AAA that you ain't too pleased either. Good luck.

 

[Jeffescortlx]

There is a chance other smaller fuses blew before the main.

 

[TrailorParkPimp]

if you replaced your thermostat and its still running hot, your water pump may be bad. replace that.

 

[Bocaboy]

I'm baaack. A little weathered, but back.

When I said Frances was headed straight for my house it was no exaggeration. She came ashore within two miles of the house.

That seemed too close for comfort. So we left the Escort behind and took the Explorer to Palm Beach to a slightly (and only "slightly") safer place. Since our return, we've been without power (and a shower).

By some strange quirk even though the eye passed directly over our little seaside town, damage was minimal.

Yesterday we got juice so I finally got to go online.

So after I digest the suggestions offered, I'll try a few things and report.

Thanx.

 

[escortlx96]

Glad to hear you are ok.I would check all your fuses and chek your cooling fan relay and fuse which is a 40a in the engine compartment fuse box.That should fix the problems.