Ford - Escort Van 1998 1.8D - Starting Problems

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Thu 16 Oct 2008 00:04
Escort Van 1998 1.8D - Starting Problems - AaronGarside
My escort van won't start. You turn the key and the starter just clicks but only one click. So i changed the starter for a reconditioned one and still the same problem. i have also changed the alternator as this was found to have a crack in it. This all occured after i was caught in a flood and had hoped changing these parts would fix the problem but to no avail. It was only up to the bottom of the doors. Enough to fill up my footwells. I've had it running from a bump start and it ran fine, it was just that when you switched it off it wouldn't start again. A friend told me it could be an earthing problem or a short somewhere but i don't even know where to start. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 16/10/2008 at 00:54

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Thu 16 Oct 2008 00:35
98 1.8d Escort Van 1.8d Starting Problems - Screwloose

You need to equip yourself with a simple circuit tester - a screwdriver with a 12 volt bulb in the handle. [Under a fiver.]

Connect it's earthing clip to the battery negative and see if it lights. Then, leaving it lit, try and crank it and see if it stays lit. If so; repeat that test on the bolt on the starter with the thick red wire.
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