1998 Ford Escort ZX2 2.0L No Spark

Tiny
EDDIE TRUJILLO
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD ESCORT
I recently swapped engines with another 1998 Escort ZX2 2.0. Both engines ran before removal. Both engines are 1998, DOHC. My car has a Manual Trans. The new engine came off one with Auto Trans. I swapped the flywheels to keep the manual trans. The problem I'm having is no spark. I took it to an auto repair shop. They checked the Crankshaft & Camshaft Position Sensors - both are good. There is power to the fuel injectors, but no pulse. The computer has no signal coming out. I replaced the ECU (computer) - Not the problem. I put a new coil pack - not the problem. I haven't changed the Multi-function relay yet, but I did try one from a junk yard (no improvement, but it was from a junk yard), so I'm not certain. I'm wondering if I could have smashed a wire (e.G, ground) or something similar during engine installation. I've looked visually and cannot find any bad wires. Is there another common point where all these no spark symptoms could be failing? Any other ideas about how to track down this problem?
Saturday, July 14th, 2007 AT 3:11 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Start by swapping the old cam and crank sensors. Might have lost an ignition module.
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Monday, July 16th, 2007 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
ELCABRITOFRESCO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
If you put an automatic engine into a 5-speed car, then it's the cup that holds the Crank Positioning sensor, located just under the exhaust manifold. It is a bitch to change though, because you have to separate the engine and transmission to get to it. After you do that, its just one little screw that holds it in place. The head of this screw is just inside where the transmission meets the engine, which is why you must separate them.

The reason your car won't start with the sensor housing that you have is the ring gear. The CPS (crank positioning sensor) is supposed to get magnetic impulses from the ring gear. However, an automatic transmission has a larger ring gear, so the CPS faces straight towards the driver side fender. However, the 5-speed's smaller ring gear calls for the CPS housing to point the sensor more towards the driver.

To sum it up, your current CPS is facing like this [ --- ]
However, it is supposed to be facing more like this [ / ]

hamburgler_89@yahoo. Com
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Sunday, November 25th, 2007 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
GSXR RYDER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the same problem if you figured it out let me know thanks
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Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
ED ARMES
  • MECHANIC
  • 129 POSTS
We kept loosing the Power Train Control Module.
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
EWANTON19
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The crank sensor housing is longer on the auto trans. The sensor is to far away from the flywheel. You have to remove the trans and its one torx bolt
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
ARI SANCHEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Indeed the crank sensor cup here are some images to show the difference:
Images (Click to make bigger)
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 AT 11:51 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Great addition to the site. Thanks for posting. This was over 10 years old so I doubt they will benefit from it but I am sure that others that visit this page in the future will.

Please let us now if there is anything in the future we can help you with. Thanks
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 AT 7:10 PM

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