Not sure if any of you can help but thought it was worth a bash. A friend has an M reg escort (mk4?).

It seems to have some sort of electrical fault, occasionally when he brakes and changes down the electrics all die except the battery light and oil indicator light both of which light up.

Does anyone have any ideas what might be causing this and how to resolve the issue?

Is it stalling ???

If it is, thats why the battery light and oil lightcome on, and probably why the electrics die.

So it could be an engine fault instead of electrical

check battery conexions and where the earth leads go to body and gearbox

Ok having spoken to him it seem that the engine IS stalling..... any ideas where I should start looking to find the problem?

Try cleaning the idle speed control valve using carb cleaner. valve is probably jummed up, hope this helps, Merry Christmas.