car novice

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Fri 29 Nov 2002 23:24
car novice - manymanythanks
I have an 1998 Ford Escort AUTOMATIC done 40,000 miles and I must admit it has so far given no major problems. Recently when I start it first time in the morning,it starts quickly but as soon as I try changing to 'Reverse' or 'Drive',it switches off. If I leave it to warm up for a few minutes in 'Park',it is OK. Any help greatly appreciated, as I am planning to take it to the garage!
Thanks again
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 00:32
car novice - Mark (RLBS)
"switches off" or "stalls" ?

Also, tomorrow morning this thread will move to technical matters. Just so you know where to find it.
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 01:10
car novice - manymanythanks
Thanks,
It switches off.
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 02:51
car novice - Dave_TD
Sorry, can you clarify "switches off"? Do you mean the revs die away, the engine stops running, and two or three red lights appear on your dashboard? Or do you mean the ignition key turns back to the "off" position on its own...?
Whole different set of problems you see, depending on which one it is.
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 03:09
car novice - manymanythanks
The revs die and the engine stops running. Nothing happens to the key
Thanks
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 03:19
car novice - Dave_TD
That's called "stalling" then. Has it been serviced lately?
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 03:23
car novice - manymanythanks
Not recently. No. Due for its annual service in Feb
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 04:15
car novice - Dave_TD
Hmmm. Could be so many different things. Best thing you can do is call one of the tune-up guys to come out and investigate, or take it to a garage or main Ford dealer and get it checked over. Chances are it's something simple and innocuous, although of course it might be horribly expensive and complicated!
Whatever it is, I don't think it's the kind of problem that can easily be solved on here. If you aren't particularly mechanically inclined (which is nothing to be ashamed of!) then describing the various noises and behaviour of the engine before and during the problem may prove difficult on here, much better to replicate it while a mechanic's got his head under the bonnet. Sorry I can't be of more help! :-)
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Sat 30 Nov 2002 07:41
car novice - manymanythanks
Thankyou Dave, I will take it to a garage.
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