BCI group size ( 58 ) according to fordparts.com
either alternator or wrong size battery
According to the 1998 Ford Escort Owner Guide : The 2.0 liter , DOHC , Zetec engine came with the ( Motorcraft BXT-58 battery ) * that's BCI group size 58
Motorcraft ( BXT-58 ) according to the 1999 Ford Escort Owner Guide ( that's BCI group size 58 )
According to the 2000 Ford Escort Owner Guide : For the 2.0 liter , DOHC , Zetec engine : ( Motorcraft BXT-58 ) * that's BCI group size 58
For a 1995 Ford Escort GT ( 1.8 litre four cylinder engine ) ( BCI group size 35 ) * such as the Motorcraft BXT-35 , Fords " top of the line " battery
According to the 1999 Ford Escort Owner Guide : Both the 2.0 liter SOHC engine and the 2.0 liter DOHC , Zetec engine came with the ( Motorcraft BXT-58 battery ) ( that's BCI group size 58 )
You Need a 35 Series BatteryThe best answer I can offer is that you need a battery that is a 35 series. They vary from brand to brand such as in Wal-Mart, the brand "EverLife" requires size 35-3S. At CarQuest, it is a 35-84 battery is the size you need. Everything I read says that it works for both a '91 and a '92 Ford Escort (all types).
Any battery that fits that has at least 500 CCA. The more CCA the better especially in a cold climate.
At Wal its the eVERSTART 35-3 or the Maxx 35N for the 96 escort lx wagon, mines the 1.9 4 speed automatic.
open the hood disconnect the cables put the new battery where the old one was(look in the book where you are getting the battery to see what size you need) an reattach cables, for my 99 escort i need a ten metric wrench to get the cables off...good luck
13,I think- I drive an escort