2001 ford escort zx2 dohc, 200k.
Changed coil pack, spark plugs, spark plug wires, crank sensor, cam sensor MONTHS LONG BEFORE the issue happened. everything was smooth and running fine. then all of the sudden while going to work there was a p0303, didn't think anything of it at the time. shut the car off but hours later when i came back it wouldn't start.
It turns over like a madman with plenty of battery juice, it just doesn't wake up. timing belt rotates and seems and feels as solid as ever and check engine light goes off on start indicating ecu receives signal from crank sensor.
Pulled the plugs all gapped at 53, all nicely gasoline coated, there is pretty nice spark on all 4 plugs , i ran my obd scanner and fuel pressure on key on engine off after the pump is primed data shows 216 to 225 kpa which translates to 31-32 psi.
The charts i am seeing shows a minimum of 35 psi on the short range for fuel pressure.
is it accurate to say the pressure is too low and that is not allowing fuel to pressurize and spray well enough to fire up? should it still fire? is the ecu fuel pressure sensor not good? or what conclusions or steps can i take to bring it back to life?
Just spray some starting fluid into the intake. If it starts for a second or two then you can troubleshoot a fuel starvation issue.
Also use a spark tester to check the quality of the spark.
Then hook up your scanner again and make sure there's an rpm signal while cranking. (there probably is because you're getting spark).
Also, look at the ECT sensor reading. Make sure it's close to the IAT sensor reading on a cold start. A faulty ECT sensor will screw up the fuel mixture especially on a cold start.
If all that checks out OK then you'll want to check the mechanical timing. So check the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley sprocket and the notches on the camshafts and make sure they're aligned correctly.
It's possible that a timing belt tensioner bearing has come apart and it's throwing off the valve timing a little and that can be the problem
Do a compression test.
Do a fuel pressure test using a mechanical gauge, not a scanner. If the plugs are wet with gas, you're not getting a spark. What is "pretty nice spark?"
What do you mean by "gasoline coated" spark plugs?
See the FAQ section on diagnosing a no-start condition.
well exactly that, the plugs had gas on them from all the turning over that happened while trying to start the car. . just trying to say that fuel was getting to the plugs it seems like. but maybe not at the proper pressure...dk