I have a 1999 Ford Escape and in the mornings when I start the engine, I have to do it like 4 or 5 times because it doens't want to start. The previous owner told me that when cold the car has trouble starting but I saw the car starting fine at normal temperature or with a hot engine. The car has the check engine on.

You are having trouble with the ecm. Have a scanner hooked up to test the ecm

Sounds like the bendix drive or solenoid on the starter is failing. The solenoid energizes the starter coil and also extends the drive into the flywheel.

ill tell you right now its not the computer the computer has nothing to do with the engine knocking run some sea foam throught the engine let it run for about 15-20 min then change the oil and filter this will clean all the gunk out of the engine it may help what it is is you got valve lashes in the engine they are like a push rod and lifter combined in one i had the same problem in my 2001 f-150 i ended up replacing the valve lashes... who ever told you it could be the computer well to be honest i WOULDNT take my car to them the are trying to get money it sounds like to me cuz the computer is electrical not mechanical and a engine knock is mechanical

sounds like the fuel pump thats how they go try bangging on the gas tank it may have a rust buld up

Yes the 4 cylinder 2.0L engine uses a timing belt to turn the cam. According to the Ford Scheduled maintance guide for your year and engine, the belt needs to be changed at 120,000 miles.

Get the code, any time you get a MIL Lamp on dash

Jerky--could be EGR Valve

Need the vehicle to diagnose issues,can not guess

Ignition coils a big ford problem, for over 14 years running.
They like to sell them that way

Sounds like a wiring problem. The alternator needs a small amount of power from the battery to get itself started up because it uses an electromagnet but once it starts to produce power it can power the magnet itself. some alternators (yours included) are known as "self-exciting" which means that it retains some residual magnetism and so once you get it spinning so fast (usually about 3000 engine RPM) it begins to produce the little bit of power needed to power the magnet and then turns on. if you peel back the covering of the wires connected to the alternator I bet you will find a broken or chaffed one. Also, If you rev the engine above 3000 RPM right after you start it your alternator will probably kick in.

Ford V6's - rear bank of cylinders are 1 - 2 - 3. Front bank are 4 - 5 - 6 starting from passenger side (front) of engine.
Your firing order is
1 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 3 - 6

You're welcome.

it is most likely defaulting to the electric motor due to the overheating to save the gas engine from damage.