1988 Ford Escort

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM MY UNCLE WHEN IT WAS 3 YEAR OLD WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT BEGAN STALLING A YEAR OR SO AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I HAD IT IN TO BOTH A FORD AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITH A VARIETY OF REASONS GIVEN FOR ITS STALLING. I REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES ON MY OWN ON A HUNCH THAT IT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE MOTHBALLED THE CAR FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF DRIVING AROUND HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT STOPPING ON ME. I DIDN'T SELL IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAWN THE PROBLEM OFF ON SOMEONE ELSE AND BESIDES I REALLY LIKED THE CAR OTHERWISE. AFTER HEARING OF THE CALIFORNIA RECALL ORDER, EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE. I BELIEVE THAT THE POOR ENGINEERING ON PLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION MODULE ON THIS VEHICLE IS THE PROBLEM. BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I GUESS I FEEL TRAPPED BUT AM HOPPING THAT THE RECALL WILL EVENTUALLY IMPACT ME IN MINNESOTA. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. SINCERELY, JOHN HELLAND

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM MY UNCLE WHEN IT WAS 3 YEARS OLD WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT BEGAN STALLING A YEAR OR SO AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I HAD IT IN TO BOTH A FORD AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITH A VARIETY OF REASONS GIVEN FOR IT STALLING. I REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES ON MY OWN ON A HUNCH THAT IT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE MOTH BALLED THE CAR FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF DRIVING AROUND HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT STOPPING ON ME. I DIDN'T SELL IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAWN THE PROBLEM, OFF ON SOMEONE ELSE AND BESIDES I REALLY LIKED THE CAR OTHERWISE. AFTER HEARING OF THE CALIFORNIA RECALL ORDER, EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE. I BELIEVE THAT THE POOR ENGINEERING ON PLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION MODULE ON THE VEHICLE IS THE PROBLEM. BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I FEEL TRAPPED BUT I AM HOPING THAT THE RECALL WILL EVENTUALLY IMPACT ME IN MINNESOTA. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. SINCERELY, JOHN HELLAND. *AK *SCC **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734334

FORD ADMITTED TO NEWSPAPER COLUMIST THAT BALL JOINTS ON MANY ESCORTS AND TEMPOS WERE DEFECTIVE. MISSOURI REQUIRED ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS WHICH CAUGHT MANY OF THESE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS BUT MANY STATES DID NOT REQUIRE INSPECTIONS. FORD COVERED THIS PROBLEM UP, SO THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY FAILED BALL JOINTS.*AK

THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRE CONNECTORS. THE DIMMER SWITCH LOCATED INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONNECTORS TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THE DIMMER SWITCH HAVE TURNED BROWN DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT AND MELTING OF THE PLASTIC CONNECTORS. AFTER THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS REPLACED, THE HEADLIGHTS WORK FOR ABOUT 4-6 MONTHS UNTIL THEY BEGIN TO SHORT OUT, AND INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER. SOMETIMES, THE HIGH BEAMS ARE THE ONLY HEADLIGHTS THAT WORK. THE MECHANIC I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS WHILE LIVING IN MARYLAND STATES THAT THIS KIND OF PROBLEM IS VERY TYPICAL FOR FORD ESCORTS AROUND THE TIME MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED.