[chub]

Hi everyone

I have a 1993 Escort LX 1.8L. Yes it is British spec. Anyway my problem is this. All of the sudden the car will not start when cranking. I have changed the crankshaft position sensor, the coil pack, and even the computer. But still have no fuel or spark. I am thinking it is something like a relay now but unsure of which ones to check. Any ideas would be great. Thank you. PS all the parts changed above were recommended by a garage.(some mechanics)

 

[Yoda]

Fuel pump?

 

[chub]

i am thinking the same. I just cant figure out the no spark

 

[fixitmattman]

Ignition switch.

Matt 8)

 

[chub]

HOw can you test the ignition switch to see if that is it? I am unsure of how to do this. Thanks for your help

 

[fixitmattman]

There isn't really any test for it. Basically it's a process of elimination, and the fact that ignition switches craping out on our NA spec cars is a common problem for the Escorts.

When you try and start your car, can you hear the fuel pump prime?

You need to be 100% positive you're not getting spark.

I would also check the fuel pump relay and EEC power relay.

I don't have a manual to tell me where all this stuff is on Euro Scorts, but that should get you off to a good start :wink:

Matt 8)

 

[siragan]

Matt,

don't want to be an a-hole, but why do you always say it's the ignition switch? What is the ignition switch doing (or not doing) that makes it the culprit of all these problems?

 

[fixitmattman]

Sirigan, you're an A-hole lol

Alright, you asked, you'll get it :wink:

To have both fuel and ignition systems crap out simultaneously, usually indicates that a part common to both systems is at fault. It is possibe that two separate components have malfunctioned, but the chances of this occurring at the same time is rare. The ingnition coil and the fuel pump both are connected to and draw power through the ignition switch. Usually when the ignition switch craps out, the terminals inside wear out and the circuits it provides power to is hit and miss, and then the car usually dies. Some circuits get power, others don't.

Chub's already replaced near half the ignition system already, so it can be assumed that it's in good working order, and most likely, the parts he took off were fine. If he can't hear the fuel pump priming when he turns the keyswitch on, he's definately not getting power to the pump. If it's not the relay, the only other place for the pump to not get power from (other than the fuse box) is the ignition switch. Same thing with the ignition sytem. If he is not getting spark, it's a good chance the when the ignition switch is turned to the on position, he's not getting 12V to the coil pack. I would also check that as well. It's the center wire on the coil pack connecter.

You can also try jumpering everything at the ignition switch and see if it works when you jumper it. If it does, then it's the switch that's the problem. If you can't read a schematic, I wouldn't reccommend attempting this.

Also, many other times I've said ignition switch for a problem, the symptoms people describe are near identical to what I experienced when mine blew up. I ended up chasing damn near the entire electrical system on my car before I found out that was the problem as well.

Matt 8)

 

[highanddry]

Don't y'all remember when we/I ordained Fixtitmattman as the "Ignition Switch King" back in the summer? He earned that.

He always posted an excellent how-to at ERDT and here. For those of you who haven't read it, go find it and read it. It's what I refer to as required reading.

It just sucks that he drives a Neon now. I guess we'll have to kill him. Good thing he wrote that how-to for us already.

 

[siragan]

I was working on a friend's friend's explorer today that wouldn't start. It cranked over, I *think* he was getting spark, but I'm not sure. You could hear the fuel pump prime when he turned it to the on position. But it wouldn't start. In the on position, the check engine light was solid, which (I think) is normal. Anyways... bastard wouldn't start. I didn't have a timing light or a fuel pressure gauge, so I couldn't really tell for sure.

I guess I could have checked the injectors to see if they were getting a voltage. It was cold. Very cold.

 

[James92Scort]

no fuel - is your pump running? if you turn the key to on can you hear hte pump come on?

no spark - gotta be a ground fault somewhere if the starter is coming to life the battery is good.

If it's the ignition, would the starter even try to crank? :?