# 2001 ford escape xlt won't start when hot **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 15, 2014, 2:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-escape-xlt-wont-start-when-hot/85451 "2014-06-15T02:03:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thomasb123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@thomasb123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thomasb123)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 2:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-escape-xlt-wont-start-when-hot/85451/1 "2014-06-15T02:03:16Z")
Starts great when cold. Turns over but refuses to start after running awhile. Bad fuel pump? One of those pesky sensors? Any suggestions would be welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-escape-xlt-wont-start-when-hot/85451/2 "2014-06-15T02:17:31Z")
The problem might be with the Crankshaft Position Sensor being effected by heat. [http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=443736&cc=1368468](http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=443736&cc=1368468) If the computer loses the signal from this sensor, the computer see’s no reason to operate the ignition and fuel systems so engine doesn’t start. There’s a couple of ways to determine if this is the problem. One is to introduce starting fluid into the intake to see if the engine runs on the fluid. If not then there must be no spark. Another is to start the engine cold, and while the engine is idling take a heat gun/hair drier and point it at the sensor. If the engine suddenly shuts off you know it’s the crank sensor. Tester ---
**Author:** ![thomasb123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@thomasb123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thomasb123)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-escape-xlt-wont-start-when-hot/85451/3 "2014-06-15T03:22:00Z")
Thanks! I’ll try it out. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2001-ford-escape-xlt-wont-start-when-hot/85451/4 "2014-06-15T04:22:44Z")
Probably either the ignition system or the fuel system. The ignition system is easier to diagnose, so the CPS is a good thing to check as mentioned above. And hot CPS’s are known to cause this problem. Another recent poster had a similar problem though, and it turned out to be the fuel pump. But you got to start somewhere, so have the CPS tested. If it is ok, make sure your mechanic verifies there’s a spark at the spark plug.