My car turns over but wont start

Tiny
SEVE12345
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
My car turns over but wont start. When I first got the car it did the same thing but it started. I changed the spark plugs, the spark plug wires and the gas filter. I than started it and let the gas go through the new filter. I than took it out for a drive. Everything went well but when I was done driving it I parked it in my driveway and let it sit there. About 1 hours later I went back outside to go for a little drive. I started the car and the car just dyed on me. I tryed starting it again and it was just turning over. About 2 and a half hours later I tryed again thinking it wont start. To my surprise it did start and I took it out for a drive. I than waited for my dad to get home to show him that it is starting. Started it and than he sayed let me go inside to warm up a bit and I will be out in 5 to 10 minutes. I shut down the car and when he came outside the car didnt start. Can anybody please help me find the problem? Thanks. Before all these problems my mom filled up the car with gas to the top can that have anything to do with it?
Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 10:04 AM

73 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
You need to check what is missing
spark or fuel
if its spark most likely the module no good
you need a new on
if its fuel check fuel pump and fuses and relay
let me know
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
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How do you see if the spark is working?
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Pull one of the spark plug wire out and place it close to a ground crank engine watch for a spark arcing out
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 4:37 PM
Tiny
SEVE12345
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There is no sparks we pull out one of the spark plug wires and we placed it on the manifold, than we took a screw driver put it inside the spark wire and no spark either and than we took a wire to see if there was a spark and my dad touched the open end of the wire and didnt even get a little shock. We also disconected the two hoses from the top or the gas filter and the bottom and no gas came out of either side.
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Need a test light or volts meter
With key on engine off check if you have battery power at the coil
if so I would check and or replace the module
module is the most common to fail
did you say you checked the timing belt if not do that 1st
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
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How do you check the timing belt?
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Pull the oil fill cap ash a helper to crank for you
watch the cam shaft and rocker if moving while cranking
or remove the plastic cover on the front of engine in the timing cover and crank while watching the pulley
it should turn
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
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Everything moves. We took off the oil cap and looked inside and everything was moving. We also took off the hoses going to the gas pump and cranked the engine. No gas came out, should gas be coming out?
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Yes fuel should flow when 1st key on
check all your fuses and check the EEC relay
may want to try new one
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 AT 1:05 PM
Tiny
SEVE12345
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We changed the fuel pump, the ignition module, coil and we still cant get it started. We checked to see if the timing belt was broken and we saw everything moving. What should I do next? Is there a Automatic Shut Down (ASD) Relay on a 1993 ford escort lx 1.9L and if so where can I find it?
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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Check them relays and
I think your problem may be electric
I m including the picture and location of the relays you may want to check that


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_93_escort_1.jpg

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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
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How do I get to those relays? And how do I check them once im there?
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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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As you see it !
You need to check if you have battery power at the relay or at least they are clicking when key 1st on
what engine you have
engine size?
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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
SEVE12345
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It's a 1.9 liter 4 cylinder.
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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Should start with fuses check them all


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_fuse93esc_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_93esc_1.jpg

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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
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I got to the relays i saw the 2 relays and there was a thing in the middle. i do not know what it is called but it was duck taped and i fooled around with it and i started the car. we took off the duck tape because it was botheing me to see a bad job done on the car and it is not starting now. i will send you a picture of the thing i am talking about.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/164730_DSCN0725_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/164730_DSCN0729_2.jpg

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Friday, March 7th, 2008 AT 4:52 PM
Tiny
SEVE12345
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It is the thing with the blue duck tape around it it seems to be loose or something
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Friday, March 7th, 2008 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Almost there
check around the general area for a loose and or corroded wire
pull out the relay and check the pins and connector plugs
do the twist and try test
twist the wiring and listen for the relays to click and car to start
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Friday, March 7th, 2008 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
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Is it supposed to have duck tape around it? And can it be the thing with the blue duck tape around it or is it the wires? How do I pull out the relay to see the pins?
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Friday, March 7th, 2008 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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At this point I will look for a wiring prob
if the duck tape was on it
some one try to fix something before
try new relay
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Friday, March 7th, 2008 AT 7:04 PM

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