A lit wrench light on your Ford Escape dashboard is almost always bad news. Many Ford Escape owners have dubbed it the “Orange Wrench of Death.” Here’s what you should know.
But that’s just a generic answer, here’s what it actually means on a Ford Escape.
What does the ‘Wrench’ light mean on my Ford Escape?
The wrench light is similar to the “Check Engine” light, but more serious. A Check Engine light could mean something as simple as, “It’s time for a routine oil change.” A Wrench light, however, means that there has been some sort of powertrain fault with your Ford Escape.
There are several possible reasons why the Wrench light might come on. The only way to diagnose the problem is to take your vehicle to a Ford dealership and have a technician read the fault codes in the engine’s computer. Here are some of the most common Ford Escape problems that can cause the Wrench light to illuminate:
- Low voltage
- Low boost
- Abnormal temperature differences between block & cylinder head
- Faulty oil cooler
- Electronic throttle body problem
- Powertrain sensor problem
The Wrench Light and “Limp” Mode
If your Ford Escape’s ‘Wrench’ light comes on, you probably already know that there is a serious problem with the vehicle. That’s because your Ford Escape will more than likely have experienced a sudden loss of power. When the Escape’s computer detects that a powertrain component is failing, it will limit the vehicle’s power to prevent the driver from doing more damage to those components.
When that happens, the vehicle automatically engages “Limp” mode. Power is limited and you may only be able to strain 5 to 10 mph out of it. Pressing down the gas pedal harder does nothing.
Here’s an example from a Ford Escape driver whose orange ‘Wrench’ light came on. His vehicle engages Limp mode while he’s in morning traffic:
Notice that while “Limp” mode is engaged, the Ford Escape is only able to “limp” along at about 3 mph to get to the side of the road.
What to Do When Your Ford Escape Wrench Light Comes On
When the ‘Wrench’ light comes on in your Ford Escape, it’s best to follow the steps that the driver took above:
- Turn your emergency flashers on
- Pull over to the side of the road safely
- Turn off all dashboard electronics (radio, A/C, etc.)
- Shut off the engine
- Turn the engine back on to see if “Limp” mode & ‘Wrench’ light are disengaged
Sometimes this will reset the vehicle and allow you to resume driving at normal speed. If the vehicle does not reset, your best option will be to call a tow truck.
Note: Just because the vehicle starts up and runs again does not mean that there is no problem with your vehicle’s powertrain. A ‘Wrench’ light is almost always an indication of a serious problem with your vehicle. The only way to properly diagnose the problem is to have a Ford technician scan the vehicle’s fault codes.
An issue with the powertrain sensors is one of the most common complaints that leads to Ford Escape ‘Wrench’ lights illuminating. If your vehicle’s powertrain warranty is still in effect, those repairs will be covered. If the vehicle is no longer under warranty, you’ll be paying out of pocket to cover the costs associated with the failure.
Photos: Ford
