Black Harness attached to Battery's Neg Terminal for 99 ford escort . I dont know the name of this part but the car wont run without it. It turns over but wont start. Is there anything i can do to

Are you calling the oil pressure switch the oil solenoid ?
The oil pressure switch could have failed which would push oil out the terminal where the wire is connected.

First off, disconnecting athe battery while the engine is running is the quickest way to damage an alternator. Unlike the old DC generators, the alternator needs the battery in circuit to protect it against voltage runaway.

If the alternator has been bench-tested and seems to be functional, I would start by verifying the related vehicle circuits. Witch a DC voltmeter, start out by measuring the voltage at the alternator's output terminal, the heavy black/orange wire. It should be full battery voltage. If it is anything less than battery voltage, you must determine why. Some things to look at are the gray 12-gauge fusible links A & B, and the various splices and connections in the circuit (see diagram below).

Next, disconnect the voltage regultor harness plug from the alternator and check the voltage at the wiring harness regulator plug's "A" terminal connector - the yellow/white wire. It too should be full battery voltage. If it is anything less than full battery voltage, you must determine why. In this case, look at the 20-amp ALT fuse in the battery junction box, and at the various splices and connectors in that circuit.

Then, turn the key switch to its "RUN" position and measure the voltage
at the wiring harness regulator plug's "I" terminal connector - the light green/red wire. It should be somewhere between 8 and 12 volts. If there is no voltage present, check Fuse 5 (15 amps) in the main fuse panel and the various connections in that circuit.

The final test is to measure the voltage between the batterty positive terminal and the alternator housing or frame. If it is anything less than full battery voltage, check the alternator mounting.

You have a bad ground to one of the bulbs that is a twin element(one filament fed from the running light circuit,one from the turn signal/brake circuit).Turn on the running lights,and remove the bulbs on that side one at a time.When you pull the bulb that makes the turn signal on the dash go out,that is the socket you need to check.(the ground terminal at the body is probably corroded).Remove the securing bolt,clean the area it's attached to and the terminal,and bolt it back in.You might want to add a "star" washer between the terminal and body-it bites into both surfaces and assures a good connection.(I DON'T see these "experts" on the various car shows doing this,but what do they care since they probably get rid of these cars as soon as shooting is done?).

If you indeed installed the positive battery cable last and the neg first you blew the computer possible, you will need a complete diagnosis.

Hi,
From what I can determine, the battery cables are part of an engine sub harness. Cost of the part is in the $300 range. However, I suspect your real problem is the connectors on the cables which attach to the battery. They should be cleaned very well, free of all signs of corrosion and tightened securely. There is a common problem of the terminals corroding and cracking / breaking. They can be replaced easily and cheaply by cutting off the old terminal(s) , stripping back (or leaving exposed) about a 1/2" of wire. If wire has any corrosion, sand down to remove corrosion. The replacement terminals should be the clamp on type that you insert the wire into the clamp connection on back of new terminal and tighten it down securing the wires to the new terminal, then attaching them back to the battery. Cost around $10, buy some anti-corrosion spray for batteries also and spray them well after installation to battery to prevent this from happening again.
NOTE: Negative or black (if color coded) should come off first. Then remove positive (red) cable. Remove both cables from battery before performing repairs. Positive (red) cable goes back on first, negative cable (black) goes on last. This will prevent you from damaging your computer system and eliminate the chance of arcing (sparking) while effecting repairs.
Hope that helps!....Mike

Use a wrench to remove the negative and positive battery cables: They are clearly labeled "+" and "-." Always remove the negative cable first, as this isolates the power to the metal parts of your car. Tuck the cables away from the battery as you don't want them to accidentally touch a battery terminal when you're wiring your alternator.

3

Locate the alternator terminals. There are two: one marked "live," "pos" or "+" and the other marked "neg," "field" or "-."

4

Locate the two cables. The positive (red) cable goes to your battery via a wire loom or harness. The negative (black) cable attaches to a metal part of your car.

5

Check how the cables attach to the alternator terminals. Some connect using eyelets that hook over the terminal and tighten with a bolt; others connect by inserting the wire under the terminal and tightening a bolt.

6

Loosen the two bolts using a suitable-sized wrench or, if the cables connect using eyelets, remove the bolts.

7

Insert the exposed end of the negative (black) cable under the loosened bolt on the negative terminal of the alternator, then tighten the bolt. If the cable has an eyelet, hook it over the terminal and screw the bolt back in place and tighten using a wrench.

8

Insert the exposed end of the positive (red) cable under the loosened bolt on the positive terminal of the alternator, then tighten the bolt. If the cable has an eyelet, hook it over the terminal and screw the bolt back in place and tighten using a wrench.

9

Replace the positive battery cable on the positive battery terminal using a wrench. Replace the negative battery cable on the negative battery terminal.

sounds like you might just have a new battery that needs charging FIRST - before you try anything erlse - check ur new battery - they sometimes come without a charge.


How many miles - ?

First it is best to be sure the solenoid is ok. There are two large 'terminals' on the solenoid -
one leads to the battery - using a jumper wire or even a screw driver - [ get a pro or someone with more experience if u not confident here] - jump the large BATTERY SIDE terminal to the small wire terminal - it usually has a simple push on wire - remove the little wire - and put ur jumper cable on that terminal - - be sure the car is in park - and or emergency break on.
Also be sure your neutral safety switch is good. If ur car is automatic then put it in neutral - with brake on and try it -

I need color speaker wiring diagram for 99 ford escort zx2 hot w/CD player in trunk.

I am about to have the same problem with my 2002 ZX2. My shop called the Ford dealer and they can replace it for $450.00...
seems like an awful lot for a battery cable.
JS

Do you have a good 12v source of power when cranking at the starter solenoid wire and is that wire intact and on the right terminal?