Questions and Answers
Ford Escort Questions
Q. Hi Vince, I just purchased a 1991 Ford Escort without warranty and without the book that tells you about the specific features of the car. I am not a car person so here goes. The engine is a 4; it has an automatic transmission (I believe); the mileage is either 69,000 or 169,000; fuel injection; P/S, A/C, Cruise Control - Yes.
The car starts right up and runs quietly and smoothly.
Here is my first dilemma: I can't find where the transmission or power steering fluids go. I have looked everywhere and even tried underneath the car. Second, the "check coolant fluid" light comes on occasionally, but does not stay on. I checked the radiator and the coolant overflow and both levels seem to be fine.
Just so you have all the information, the visor on the driver's side was broken so I replaced it. The original visor had a light in it and the replacement did not so they cut the wires and taped them. Would this cause any electrical problem?
Thanks,
RoseA. Well Rose, I'm willing to bet you have an automatic transmission. If you have a gas and brake pedal, it's an automatic. If you have a third (clutch) pedal, it's a manual transmission.
The dipstick for the transmission fluid is located on the drivers side of the car, between the transmission and the fire wall. When you check the fluid level, the car has to be at operating temperature (cooling fan has come on at least once) and in PARK. The level should be between the FULL and ADD marks on the dipstick. To add fluid, use a funnel and add it through the dipstick tube.
The power steering pump is located on the top of the engine towards the front. There is a cap on the pump, twist the cap off and there is a little dipstick attached to it. It should be between the ADD and FULL marks. To add P/S fluid, just pour it into the reservoir.
If the coolant tank is full and the light blinks on and off, you may have a bad coolant level sensor. The level should be at the FULL COLD or FULL HOT marks. With the engine cold, I usually fill it until the level is between the two marks.
Cutting and taping the visor wires will do no harm at all. If you decide at some time you want to install a lighted visor in the future, it will be a simple matter of just reconnecting the wires.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
