I have a 1998 Ford Escort, automatic, 2.0 L, SOCH engine, 98900 miles. There is an erratic skipping within my car. The following has been done: changed plugs, new coil pack, new IAC, new PCV & connector hose, new timing belt and associated tensioner, new fuel filter. The fuel pressure holds steady at 30 PSI. There is currently no "check engine" light on. It was driven after each of these items were replaced and at times the problem appeared to be corrected, such as after replacing the IAC, but the problem returns. There was a check engine light indicating a bad IAC and one showing #1 cylinder misfire on different occasions which explains why the IAC and the coil pack were changed. A timing light showed the misfire was coming from the coil pack. The car seems to be worsening. When I contacted Ford, they said it would cost about $1,000.00 to upgrade the software and replace all of the already replaced items before they did anything.
What can you tell me?
2006-08-11 11:03:49 · 8 answers · asked by Scadle 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Don't be mislead by the maintenance put into the car. The costs have been minimal because my father and I have done the work. I only paid for the parts. We're willing to do the work because until now the car has not had one problem. It's been a gem until this; and, quite frankly, I won't get any money out of it so I'd rather run it into the ground then to sell it for nothing. Serious answers appreciated.
2006-08-11 11:17:55 · update #1
I don't know how to be any more specific in regard to what it's doing but I will try. It's as if it's sputtering, yet internally. At times it feels like the car is just about to fall apart. You can put it in a different gear, speed up, slow down...it will still do the same thing. There's no getting around it and it does it whether or not the car is warmed up. It generally starts within 100 ft of my driveway and doesn't let up until the car is turned off.
2006-08-12 13:35:28 · update #2
Has anyone considered that there may be an EGR failure? This can cause your symptoms, and can do it intermittently. It is also possible you might have a fuel injector failure. When the injectors get warm, there may be a coil with an intermittent short.
By the way, if you do find that the computer is the cause of your failure, find out what caused it to fail. They NEVER fail on their own. There is ALWAYS something that causes the failure. Bad injector; bad solenoid; broken/damaged wiring harness. You get the picture.
Sounds like you have some pretty good help. This is one of the best questions and narratives I have read. VERY GOOD.
Good Luck
2006-08-11 11:21:57 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Ford dealer was B/S ing you to not mess with it... I can update the software in the PCM for an hour labor charge using the Ford diagnostic computer. But I've been also burned by autozone and other discounter parts too (autozone has a habit of making crappy ignition products that seem to come back) probably why they wanted to snow ball it...
What kind of erratic skipping? Be more specific
the Cyl 1 misfire can be from many things.. You never said plug wires though... that's my idea of a tune up..wires break down real easy and cause headaches like this normally. (Buy real plug wires like motorcraft.... autozone wires have caused me too many headaches over that)
I would have to look at it to see for certain on what's going on as a misfire can be caused by many things... please post more and exactly what it what it's doing
Thanks
2006-08-11 15:08:54 · answer #2 · answered by gearbox 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First Off, That is the best Question I have ever seen! Very well done! Great information, Love the way you put it together!
I wish I could help!
Just kidding!
Hay you have about tried everything else, Looks like you have the money and plan on keeping the car, so lets try something else, put a computer in it, there not that much money and man it can put it all together and all the parts you put on will start talking to each other, should do it, good luck and let us know how it turned out.
Dave
2006-08-11 11:12:26 · answer #3 · answered by duster360 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like they are blowing smoke up your ars about the $1000. for the upgrades on the computer and related parts. I would go to a different dealer and get a second opinion.
2006-08-11 11:08:02 · answer #4 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I bet you have a burnt VALVE on the #1 cylinder...
2006-08-11 11:11:09 · answer #5 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer could be on the front or rear of your car you can find it because they circled the Problem!
2006-08-11 12:36:12 · answer #6 · answered by grande alacrán 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
this is not gonna be a smart a*s answer but.....its a ford....found on road dead....f*cker only runs downhill....and so on and so forth....after a ford hits 100k its all down hill if your not a maintenance freak....sorry for your luck....I owned one ford and will never own another
2006-08-11 11:10:38 · answer #7 · answered by firestoneasetech 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have a reliable service that works on any kind of cars.The only thing is
what state are you in?
2006-08-11 11:41:38 · answer #8 · answered by night magic 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋