Author	[Modern View]
kornfused 09-10-2012 19:01:01 70.240.148.194 Report to Moderator	Anybody know? My daughter just bought her first car, 1998 Escort. Question - is there supposed to be a light in the shifter console? I have searched on-line the owners manual and it doesn't indicate that it is lighted. This is the basic model - not the sporty one. [Reply]   [No Email]
wisbaker 09-11-2012 11:05:01 184.157.212.173 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to kornfused, 09-10-2012 19:01:01   First of all I was raised with Fords but I will probably NEVER buy another new Ford and I am able to buy under the Ford X plan (discount)It is not a reflection on Ford but the Ford dealers that really don't give a a rat's behind about you or customer satisfaction, I have even told Edsel Ford II this when I met him a few years ago. Our last new vehicle was a Dodge Grand Caravan, it has had the worst service history of any new vehicle I have had (and that includes a 1980 Renault LeCar) But it was easier to get 2 steering boxes changed, a rear evaporator replaced a multi function switch changed and a leaking intake gasket fixed on the Dodge than it was say to get a seat belt recall done on my Ford [Reply]  [No Email]
robgIN 09-11-2012 04:45:58 70.224.34.210 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to kornfused, 09-10-2012 19:01:01   screw your Toyotas, I have had several Escorts, one of the most dependable cars ever. I had 198,000 miles on my 97, sold it and got a 98 with 111K,guy was thrilled to get my old one. I have owned several over the years and never had anything major with any of them. In answer to the question, yes there is a bulb for shifter, if you take the top trim panel off of shifter you will see socket it just twists in the hole to illuminate the PRNDL [Reply]  [No Email]
Old Roy 09-10-2012 22:05:00 71.206.209.119 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to kornfused, 09-10-2012 19:01:01   something like this ? [Reply]  [No Email]
bill mart 09-11-2012 05:19:04 69.204.65.189 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to Old Roy, 09-10-2012 22:05:00   amazing what you can find on the net,bill [Reply]  [No Email]
bill mart 09-11-2012 05:05:48 69.204.65.189 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to Old Roy, 09-10-2012 22:05:00   amazing what you can find on the net,bill [Reply]  [No Email]
ShadetreeRet 09-10-2012 19:55:31 184.4.21.191 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to kornfused, 09-10-2012 19:01:01   I don't remember ever seeing a vehicle that did not have lights in the console from the factory. "Course when they burned out, most folks were so familiar with the "feel" of the shifter that few bothered to or spent the money to have it replaced. I know when I worked at the local dealership, the little Escorts, especially the last series made, were good little cars. One of the techs had one and bought another for his daughter. Sorry, though, I can't tell you how to replace the bulb. [Reply]  [No Email]
old 09-10-2012 19:30:45 209.86.226.19 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to kornfused, 09-10-2012 19:01:01   You know why t is called a ford escort don't you?? You will have to escort it home when it is found on the road dead. LOL Yep I do not like fords and sorry to say she would be better off with a Toyota at least it is made or should I say assembled in the U.S. [Reply]  [No Email]
oldtanker 09-10-2012 20:28:51 66.228.255.239 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to old, 09-10-2012 19:30:45   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see You can look the info up on you computer but I doubt you will Old. American brand cars, starting about 1990 have the same or longer life than your Toyota. Sure there are some exceptions but most fall into that catagory. 25-30 years ago I would have told you to buy a Toyota too. Rick..... with a 98 SUburban with 270K showing on the clock, one tranny at 258K, fuel pump about 256K, altrnator about 220K. Now tell me about your toyota. [Reply]  [No Email]
old 09-10-2012 21:21:59 209.86.226.27 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to oldtanker, 09-10-2012 20:28:51   Well guess that is why I have 2 Toyota Corollas one is a 1990 and the other a 1991 and both get 35 plus per gal and have less then $1700 in the pair of them. As for a Ford never have had a bit of luck with them other then the tractors and the real old stuff like the 1965 1 ton I have but can not find brake parts to fix it and my ford tractors [Reply]  [No Email]
oldtanker 09-11-2012 06:40:33 66.228.255.239 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to old, 09-10-2012 21:21:59   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see LOL that mileage thing. I really don't care much about mileage. I'm 6'5" with knee and back problems. I'm more concerned with ease of getting in and out and comfort. I had a 86 LTD, sold it running on the original power train at 235K, got about 26 MPG. An 88 Town Car, 245K running when sold, about 24 MPG. The Suburban gets right at 20. I'm OK with that. Your 1 ton isn't the only truck that parts are NLA for. I did look it up on NAPA on line. They show everything for a 65 Ford 1 ton brake system except the rear drums and shoes. Hope that may help. Rick [Reply]  [No Email]
old 09-11-2012 08:24:04 209.86.226.27 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to oldtanker, 09-11-2012 06:40:33   I have looked ordered and returned so many part for this 1 ton it isn't funny. The problem is it was a fleet truck as in ordered by the state of Missouri for the conservation dept so it is not the standard truck I have tried NAPA O'Reilly's rock auto etc etc. The wheel cylinder yes is easy but when you have to pay $125 per side for a king pin and well the master cylinder is a no long sold part so [Reply]  [No Email]
dhermesc 09-11-2012 05:59:32 24.248.193.103 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to old, 09-10-2012 21:21:59   You know what is sad - you can't get that out of a new Corrolla. [Reply]  [No Email]
old 09-11-2012 08:20:17 209.86.226.27 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to dhermesc, 09-11-2012 05:59:32   What is really sad you can not get 35-40mpg out of much of any car other then maybe a minicooper and not sure they get that. I think it is funny how they say they can get 30-35MPG out of a car and I have 2 Toyota Corolla's the get 35-40 all day long [Reply]  [No Email]
Blackhole49 09-11-2012 05:52:09 71.227.8.100 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to old, 09-10-2012 21:21:59   Yea, but you also owned a 150mph Alpha Romaeo. [Reply]  [No Email]
downsouth 09-10-2012 19:17:05 64.12.116.74 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to kornfused, 09-10-2012 19:01:01   Automatic? My wife had a 94 wagon and as I recall it had a red glowing pointer when in drive, but I'm not 100%. After all, she totaled it out in '01. It was a pretty darn good little car, very little problems with it the whole time we had it (bought it new). She made a big boo boo and pulled in front of a guy, he was traveling about 60. She may have been up to 20 when he hit her. She shot into a concrete based light pole knocking it over. The car wasn't 8 feet long after that and she got out and was walking around. Badly bruised but no broken bones, that year only had a drivers side air bag and she was alone on her way to work. Replaced it with an 01 Focus, another good car so far....yea still have it. Put 2 alternators in it, a real pain but what isn't with a sideways 4 cylinder! Your daughter will figure out what gear it's in within a day or so, light or no light! [Reply]  [No Email]
kornfused 09-10-2012 19:25:16 70.240.148.194 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to downsouth, 09-10-2012 19:17:05   "Your daughter will figure out what gear it's in within a day or so, light or no light!" - one would think so, but.... It is an automatic and I have showed her how to "feel" the position but...... I always got a huge laugh out of Donjr postings on his "Blondie" becuz it is sooo real here too! I think I'll start with the fuse box and see of there is anything there. I haven't done that yet becuz I have been waiting to do it together and try to teach. [Reply]  [No Email]
wvajim 09-10-2012 19:43:39 173.80.241.17 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to kornfused, 09-10-2012 19:25:16   It shows a bulb, don"t have a way to post the diagram. [Reply]  [No Email]
rla 09-11-2012 05:15:46 162.39.22.109 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to wvajim, 09-10-2012 19:43:39   Escort will make a good car, many many keep on running along. I'd rather push the Ford than drive the Toyota's. I want to keep what money I do spend in America or a Company thats is Still in America. BTW a 194 of a 161 Bulb oughta work in the shifter.... [Reply]  [No Email]
Buckeye Oliver collector 09-11-2012 08:51:52 63.23.10.35 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to rla, 09-11-2012 05:15:46   Going off topic but I have to disagree. I do not think I will own another Ford vehicle unless its given to me. Car I had (Taurus SE) seemed to be a transmission, engine and four tires. Ford sure as heck did not build them with driver comfort in mind. Seats were too low, steering wheel was HUGE (cannot see guages over it or through it), seatbelt is a horrible design, shifted rough and didn't handle very good for a car (you felt EVERY bump) and the whole interior felt very cheaply put together. Also wasn't good on fuel at all. I can get nearly as good of mileage with a Grand Caravan and a lot more cargo. About the only thing they got right was headroom and legroom which I thought was decent for a car and a wicked radio. Now an Escort is a totally different car (I think) so I don't know about them. If I ever get another car it will be a Chrysler 200 or 300 or a Honda (Accord) or maybe a Toyota Camry. I bet at least the Toyota is more American built than a Ford and maybe the Honda too. [Reply]  [No Email]
oldtanker 09-11-2012 13:48:40 66.228.255.239 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to Buckeye Oliver collector, 09-11-2012 08:51:52   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see The original Tarus was a joke. I think they finally got it right arounf 03 or 04. Not an impressive car at all. Here out Ford dealers are good. but there is a fair amount of competition. Rick [Reply]  [No Email]
rla 09-11-2012 12:46:37 162.39.22.109 Report to Moderator	Re: Ford Escort in reply to Buckeye Oliver collector, 09-11-2012 08:51:52   Did Just hear the Wind Blow? Naa Just BS [Reply]  [No Email]