My car makes a noise when I hit gas? (Loud clicking noise)?

I have a ford escape 2003. Bought it used. It was working fine till later I noticed it makes a noise when I hit gas after I start the car. After a while it goes away. It's starting to get louder. The noise sounds like when you have a can on a bike wheel?

Can I replace the ECM myself?

So to make a long story short, My 2006 Ford Escape had a battery light go on about 1 and half months ago. We replaced the alternator with an after market, didn't work, took it to the shop sepnt $700 getting a new alternator, worked for a few days, then battery light came back on. Called the mechanic, he said replace the battery. We replaced the battery, worked for abother 2 days. Then battery light went on. Took it back to the mechanic, since there was a warrently on the alternator they replaced it again with a new one, and he said that the alternator still wouldn't charge the battery. When we tested the alternator it was only givnig out 12.6V, no good! However when the altenator was tested when taken out of the car it was fine.

The mechanic said the the ECM was the problem… This being a very expensive fix, could there be another issue besides this? Can I replace the ECM myself? It's super easy to get to and can't I just buy a new on online and do it myself? The mecanic said I would have to take the car to the dealership since they have to program it… They want anywhere between $1200-1700 to fix the car! BULL, when I could just find the part and do it myself? Is this possible? Any other reasons why the alternator wouldn't be charging the battery? Could it be a fuse? Sorry if this is a dumb quesstion, I'm just fed up with this car!

Should I replace airbags in my 2001 Ford Escape?

I have a delimma. We bought a used 2001 Ford Escape about 7 months ago. The car was in great condition. Run well and mileage was great. We had no problems. Recently my car was in a crash. The damage isn't bad. It mostly swiped a divider. Majority of the damage is under the front left wheel. It appears to be no damaged done to the engine, transmission, etc. Just the left wheel. Both of the airbags deployed. I'm wondering if the cost to fix the wheel and replace the airbags is worth the money or if we should purchase a new car. Honestly I can't afford to buy another car even if it's $5000 because we just got this one in October. Secondly, I'm pregnant and due in August and we just don't have it but we need a car. As stupid as it sounds, it seems cheaper to fix the car in sessions then to take out a loan to get another one. But since it's an 01 vehicle, I'm not sure it's worth it. We bought this car with the intention of keeping it at least 5 years but we've only had it 7 months. Ugh, I'm so torn. What should I do?

Why would my low coolant light be on if I have a full reservoir of coolant?

My 2002 Ford Escape's low coolant light is on but there's no leak of coolant and coolant is full. Turned on last night and I filled it up with coolant because it was low. The light come off. I thought there was a coolant leak at the bottom because I noticed a puddle of liquid but instead it's clear and odorless so it looks like there's water underneath leaking. I did notice a tiny bit of coolant on the reservoir plastic container on top that I thought I wiped away before. It's not overheating and the AC runs very cold. It's hot out today so I thought I'd have overheating problems. Any ideas?

Added (1). Added note, this car does not have a radiator cap to fill at the radiator. You only fill at the reservoir. I looked at the hoses leading to and from the radiator to the reservoir and I didn't see any leaks or cracks.

2006 Ford Escape Cruise Control just stopped working?

Never had a problem with my cruise control, then one week the cruise control would stay on for a short distance after setting it. Within the week, the cruise control just stopped working altogether. Any advice and ideas if may be would be great. I'd like to try and figure this out on my own before thinking of taking it to a dealership and have them charge me a lot of money for possibly a simple fix.

Which is a better vehicle?

OK so this is really embarrassing but I'm 24yr old female first time driver I have a learning disability and tried to get my license but had a very hard time but I finally got it! When I save up enough money to get my first car, I have been looking and I like so far the 2011-2012 Volkswagen jetta, and the 2010-2012 ford escape, which is a better vehicle also is there are better compact sedans and compact suvs that you can think of that are better choices, please let me know thanks for the answers in advance. Also if thats to much of a new car for a first time driver which is a better yr. And how many miles should the car have on it does it matter I won't be getting the car until next yr but still right now i'm just looking to get some ideas.