Will not start after engine has warmed up

ROBTHOMAS

MEMBER
1997 FORD ESCORT
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
95,000 MILES

I'm having trouble when the engine warms up it will not start, if I push the gas to the floor and crank it over after a few seconds it will fire but will not stay running. Once the engine has cool completely it will start again runs a little rough. I changed the fuel pump, fuel filter, and crankshaft sensor. Could it be a bad admission coil or ignition control module?

7 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Yes, this could be an ignition issue.

What you are doing when you push the accelerator to the floor is called a clear flood start. Basically you are cutting the injectors so that it doesn't add more fuel as the engine is flooded.

https://youtu.be/dCjmRL3p4Cs

Normally this is due to a leaking fuel injector but it could also be due to fouled spark plugs.

I would suggest starting with pulling the plugs and seeing what they look like. Below is a chart that will help with this. Let us know what they look like and if you can get a picture that would help as well.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 7:22 PM

ROBTHOMAS

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I pulled the plugs. And they look like the one in the diagram that is marked "carbon fouled". I am going t of change the plugs and I also have a new Crankshaft position sensor. Is it possible the Crank sensor could be the problem or part of the problem?

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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 8:33 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

It could be but I thought you replaced it already? If not, I would replace the crank sensor as that will fail when it gets hot and then not allow the vehicle to restart until it is cooled off.

However, based on what you are doing, I think you will have success with new plugs. Carbon fouled plugs will cause this issue so we will want to replace them and then keep an eye on them.

If they are fouling again then we have a fueling issue most likely.

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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 7:22 PM

ROBTHOMAS

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Okay. I picked up a O.B.D and plugged it in under the dash. And I got the code PO 125. And it said that the coolant temperature sensor bank 1 was bad. Witch controls the fuel loop. So I changed the coolant temperature sensor. And I changed the plugs. And when I put the key in and bumped the starter it fired up and runs great. I let it run for about 30 minutes turned it off and it started back up. And continued to start every time. With no hesitation at all ! Thanks slot! Your info was spot on. You're Great!

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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 8:29 PM

ROBTHOMAS

MEMBER
5 POSTS

There's one other problem I've had with this car ever since I own the car the number three fuel injector doesn't fire or misfires in that cylinder I thought it was a fuel injector. I bought a new one put it in didn't change anything. Thought it was a bad fuel injector so I switched it with one that was firing and still in the same cylinder nothing, but the one that I switched out of that cylinder works fine in the other cylinder. So I thought it was the signal to the injector. So I actually switched the plug with the one beside it and it fires on the other cylinder but the one that's firing on that cylinder I put on the one that doesn't and it still doesn't fire. I took the valve cover off check the cam lobes are good and valves are opening and closing property. I checked the compression 150 lb in each cylinder. I check to make sure it's getting gas in that cylinder it is. I pulled spark plug it is getting spark. Put new plugs in it. I've tried everything and still nothing in that same cylinder it's got a rough idle. I even changed the fuel pump thinking there wasn't enough fuel pressure and nothing has fixed it. Still misses in that cylinder. Do you have any idea what it could be?