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goforthnow · Dec 31, 2004, 11:08 AM

Will not crank every time. Battery is good, when it cranks no problem with starter.

ladyandjan · Jan 17, 2005, 11:41 PM

Last August had same problem w/car dying out also. Took it in and they found a module on the distributor had gone bad. Replaced it and told me to hope for the best since it is a Ford. Maybe this will help your problem too.

Intuit · Nov 30, 2005, 10:08 PM

'94 Escort... basically the extact same vehicle.

I had that problem and it was as simple as sanding the battery posts and cleaning with backing soda. Same for terminals. Reattached and never had the problem since.

I also placed a piece of tin-foil over the terminals as foil degrades very slowly and also isolates the posts from air & moisture and this prevents them from corroding. Replacement of terminal screws and use of spacers may be necessary, but you'll want to make sure that those terminals are extra tight (without stripping threads on fastener bolts/screws) if you place protective foil over the battery terminals.