# Ford 2009 Escape runs fine, but dash is lit up like Christmas in July! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** escape, ford\ **Created:** [July 11, 2015, 9:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574 "2015-07-11T09:09:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![goldengoose7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71e660/32.png) [@goldengoose7](https://community.cartalk.com/u/goldengoose7)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 9:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/1 "2015-07-11T09:09:07Z")
Just wondering if anyone can help me. My Ford Escape, 2009, with 93,000 miles seems to be running fine, but I have had it in for service with my regular mechanic because the dash is lit up with the drivers airbag icon, the ABS icon and the hazard control icon (car with squiggly skid marks to the left of the steering wheel). Does anyone have any ideas? My mechanic said he checked it stem to stern and can’t figure it out. I maintain it on schedule, always have. I am hesitant to drive it too far from home, but, today took it about 30 miles out and back and it drove just fine…so why the icons all over the dash?? any guesses…I appreciate you trying!!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/2 "2015-07-11T16:35:17Z")
I’d recommend taking it to a different mechanic. Or (shudder) to a dealer. Those indicate possible serious problems. None seem related to engine problems, so it would run fine. But there is a problem with the ABS brakes (the traction control system uses the ABS hardware) and the air bag. ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/3 "2015-07-11T16:39:30Z")
I also suggest taking your vehicle to a “real” mechanic. Your “mechanic” is a mechanic in name only because he is in over his head and the water is not that deep. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/4 "2015-07-11T17:35:40Z")
It is still possible for the root cause to be engine or emissions-related, simply because a problem in those two areas will cause the traction control, vehicle stability control, cruise control, and–possibly on some cars–the ABS to stop functioning. That results in a true _Christmas Tree Effect_ on the instrument panel. Definitely the OP needs a REAL mechanic who will first check the OBD system for trouble codes and then begin diagnosing the problem from the ground-up. ---
**Author:** ![goldengoose7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71e660/32.png) [@goldengoose7](https://community.cartalk.com/u/goldengoose7)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/5 "2015-07-11T18:24:37Z")
thank you all so very much!! i truly appreciate you taking the time to help me out. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/6 "2015-07-11T19:37:22Z")
**_@goldengoose7 Is It Only The Dash Warnings You’ve Specified? Any Additional Dash Warnings, Low Fuel, Seat Belt, Etcetera (Virtually All Possible Warnings That Illuminate When You Turn Ignition To “ON”)? And Does The Odometer Go To All Dashes (------) Instead of numerical digits?_** Did the ABS, Traction Control, and Air Bag warnings all illuminate together at the very same time? CSA ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/7 "2015-07-12T16:06:04Z")
Look underneath the front of the car at the wheel end of the axle shaft and it will be a thin silver gear like ring if you are able to move that ring at all it will cause problems. The ring is prone to splitting and then causing the ring to be loose on the shaft you may want to jack up the front end so you can rotate the wheel around to get a good look. It could be a front or rear sensor and a Scan tool could find it. It can read the abs codes and allow you to clear them. They only cost $200. As far as the Air Bag, that Its a well known issue with the plug and socket under the passenger seat (generally). Disconnect and reconnect the plug and don’t put stuff on the floor that can get under there and bump the connector. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/8 "2015-07-12T20:04:12Z")
I’m thinking a clock spring and/or steering angle sensor could cause abs and air bag lights . . . ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-2009-escape-runs-fine-but-dash-is-lit-up-like-christmas-in-july/90574/9 "2015-07-12T21:25:40Z")
**_I’m Thinking That Goldengoose Has Flown The Coop. We Haven’t Heard From The goose since yesterday. CSA_**