OT 2005 Ford Escape ??

[twincamzz]

Yesterday my wife ran out for an errand & her truck seemed to run fine when she returned home. Later we were heading back out & when she turned the key to "ON" nothing happened, no dash lights, nothing. Then when she turned the key "OFF", something started making a clicking sound under the shifter console & would continue to make noise until I removed the battery ground lead. Let truck sit five minutes or so & replaced ground lead, same thing happened again. I checked the fuses inside & under hood & couldn't see any blown. I suspect the noise I'm hearing is the PCM but really don't know. Is it simply a matter of unplugging & replacing unit that is making the noise or is this something I should let a dealer take care of ? BTW, we've had this truck since new in December of '04 & never had a lick of trouble out of it. 2005 Ford Escape w/ 3.0 liter V6, 4WD automatic if that matters.

TIA

[Old Crow]

I think I'd check the battery and the rest of the cable connections first if I was you.  Low voltage makes some funny things happen in some of those "black boxes" sometimes.  Did it ever start?

[twincamzz]

Truck never started. Battery had 12.8 volts, connections were cleaned & still no start. Will take side panels of center console off today when I get home from work to try & put my hands on module that is clicking. Last night I could see thru a slit in the side covers but couldn't actually get in there to poke around, just listen.

Hopefully one of our Ford Techs will see this & be able to help.

[92flhtcu]

Not A Ford specific tech, but could be the neutral safety switch/gear position indicator assy
Rob

[twincamzz]

to the top hoping someone here can help...

[bhubb7]

I dont think 12.8 is enough volts should be 13 or better. Son in-law has a frontier truck we chased a problem with his like that. Had a belt that was split in half was only punting out 12.8or9 volts. Book said it need over 13. we put a new belt on started putting out 13.5 or better every thing work fine.Have you tried to jump it of with another car. If you get it running take it to auto parts most can check you alternator out put and the battery. Battery can show good voltage but have no amperage in it.I am not a ford tech but i am a aircraft electrician. The electronics these day are very pickey.

[twincamzz]

12.8 volts was with truck just sitting there, not running. Seems to me that should be plenty, but I've been wrong before. I'll try jumping it to see if that helps. Thanks for the suggestion.

[bhubb7]

12.8 might be enough but you have to have the amps to do any thing. You can have the battery load tested.

[twincamzz]

  sometimes it just takes awhile for me to "get it", but you are indeed correct sir. Battery was rated at 550 CCA, only had 13CCA in it when tested. New battery & wife's truck is back to normal.

Thanks bhubb7 !!

[bhubb7]

Glad it worked out for you.

[bhubb7]

This is one coll site were can you help or get help from somebody that lives half way around the world. And i have got my share of hel form here.