2007 Escape hybrid...106k...averaging 34 mpg...here is an example of the problem...leave the house in the morning..car runs great..stop 20 min for breakfest and the car will not start...message center "service soon" and the car will not even try to start...goes dead when you move the key from the run to start position...after 2.5 - 3 hours the car starts up and runs great again...this happens every time...I replaced the battery blend door actuator today and that did not make a difference.

Has anybody experienced this problem? Please help!!!

 

12V battery? Probably at end of life if not already replaced.

 

Thanks for the reply, but its not the 12v battery. I think the traction battery is getting hot & preventing the car from starting until it cools...but I am not sure.

 

Did you get the battery checked? They don't act like they're wearing down like a normal car since the battery isn't turning over the car it just holds the relays, the hybrid battery is what starts the car using the electric motor to turn over the engine, so it's very all or nothing. Four years is about time for a battery depending on how it was used, so get that checked out first.

 

I would suggest that if you think it might be the battery, you should take it to a battery place and have a load test performed on it. Should be a free service. If it needs replaced, then you'll have at least purchased a part that you needed regardless of whether or not it fixed your problem. If the battery tests good, then I would have the dealer read the codes that were probably set when the service engine soon light came on. You could keep troubleshooting yourself and buying parts hoping that they fix the problem, but that's also a good way to end up spending lots and gaining little.

 

When my 12 volt battery was getting weak, the power brake pump would sort of warble when I first opened the door. Later, I left my parking lights on for just a short time and it would do absolutely nothing. A little jump from a portable battery pack and it was off to the races.

Have you tried jumping it when it won't start?