Ford Escort Boot Catch

I recently acquired myself a 1991 ford escort.
However, the previous owner had a wee bump in it and now the boot catch doesn't latch.
Also, there appears to be 3 solenoids that make contact when the boot is closed.
My partner thinks these are all for the rear lights (which work fine) but I'm not so sure as I don't think these solenoids are making contact (well 2 of them) and strangely enough the rear wiper and rear windscreen heater don't work.

Any advice on how to fix this - in newbie terms please.

the 3 solenoids you refer to are actualy contacts for.....................rear wiper and windscreen heater

they do get oxidised, rubbing with steel wool, fine wet / dry paper helps, BUT do it with ignition off

that is you rub the point of contact, i.e the flat "plates" on the boot and the tips of the "prongs" on the tail gate

also make sure they actually align, fold back see down and climb into boot with a torch, make sure prongs align and touch the plates

Hi the three pins on the tale gate are indeed for the rear wiper and the rear heated window,these where a common fault ont the fords,you need to check you have live at two of the flat plates on the main body and make sure the contacts are clean and lined up.The catch problem get a screwdriver and slot it into the catch and see if it lock.if it does it will nee lining up with the hook/pin on the main body,if not the catch will need replacing.Hope this helps.jim.

breezer said:

are actualy contacts for.....................rear wiper and windscreen heater

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woo hoo I was right teehee

breezer said:

BUT do it with ignition off

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loved that bit - kinda like making sure the power is off when you wire a light switch not that I've ever done that ahem cough cough

breezer said:

also make sure they actually align, fold back see down and climb into boot with a torch, make sure prongs align and touch the plates

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I'm very sure 2 at least aren't making contact - possibly due to a slight misalignment or the rear (previous owner had a wee bump)

skippster76 said:

The catch problem get a screwdriver and slot it into the catch and see if it lock.if it does it will nee lining up with the hook/pin on the main body,if not the catch will need replacing.Hope this helps.jim.

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the actual lock, locks if you press with a screw driver - just doesn't latch on the pin of the body - again quite likely to be due to the wee bump that has caused some misalignment of the rear.


Why do I get the feeling this could get expensive?

And do you think that this could possibly be the reason that the sunroof doesn't seem to fit 100% when fully closed?

Thanks guys, time and answers much appreciated.

Hi how wee was the bump sounds like abit of a hard hit to me if the sun roof is abit tight,anyway time to get the hammer out and get hitting the pin back in line unless you want to spend hundreds jiging it back.