Cranks with spark and fuel, no start

Tiny
KYLEE LAYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD ESCORT
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
Pulled this one out of the bushes. When I first put a battery on it she fired right up and with some ground cleaning and whatnot idled nice on its own.
Drove it about seven miles home through town with no issues. Put a bottle of fuel treatment in and idled her through about quarter tank in the week it has been in my driveway. Idled rough a couple times. I did notice some steam/water coming out of the exhaust.

Today hopped in to turn it around and it fired right up and purred. Backed around and turned it 180° and it just quit running. When you try it cranks strong but wont run.

I replaced the air and fuel filters. I am getting fuel out of the pump. Out of the filter. And pressure when I push the schrader.

I get spark directly out of the coil and out of plug wires. Plugs look newer and fine.

Doesn't sound like timing belt, as it tunes over. Doesn't sound like cam sensor, since there is spark. Not the fuel. Ignition module fail wouldn't send power to starter.

Would a coolant temperature sensor cause it to crank and fuel and spark but just not run?

Any ideas? Should I just relentlessly scour for a loose wire somewhere?
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 9th, 2019 AT 11:52 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

I would start by doing a compression test. Make sure there is not an internal engine issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

The module does not control the starter. It controls spark only.

I would also verify fuel pressure. If it sat for a long time, bad fuel would also cause this issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Roy

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
KYLEE LAYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So, you're saying ignition module could be a factor?
Also, I will check compression tonight. It ran like a kitten on its own idling for an hour the other day. Then I turn it around in the driveway and it shuts off. Would bad gas reveal itself 1/4 tank after running really well?

Again, its getting plenty of fuel to the rail and the plugs are sparking. Even if I had compression in one cylinder, wouldn't it run? Just rough?

I was led to believe the coolant temperature sensor controlled fuel/spark also. Is that true?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
KYLEE LAYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
And if I were to drain the tank, would it be easiest to run an extra long fuel line from the filter into a gas can and turn on the key? That way I could see the flow and strength of fuel I figure.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
KYLEE LAYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
One more thing. It doesn't run when I spray starting fluid in the air intake.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No to the coolant sensor. It is for fuel mapping based on engine temperature.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 6:43 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links