Any of you mechanics had this in the past?

[the snooper]

Hello Rik,

"As tocwhy you need a crank sensor to start a car is beyond me."

I only play with old cars but isn't the crank sensor the datum for the ECU to set the ignition timing?

Alec

the crank sensor is the equivalent of a set of points it tells the ecu when to supply power to the coils

 

[AndyStobbs]

Fuel pump would be my first port of call on past experience. Is it multipoint injection or single? On a no start occasion feed it some gas, or brake cleaner, or easy start and see if it coughs. Instantly deciders between fuel system or ign system depending on outcome, and its dead quick to do so hopefully you will get lucky before it sorts itself out again.

 

[Flapdisk]

@ Keith. As far as I can tell it's the 1.4 PTE SEFi engine.

@ Mick. Ok mate that's two for crankcase sensor, I will check it. thanks. I'm just looking in the Haynes to see where it is :-)

@ Rik and Piman, Yes that's right it gives the timing datum for the ECU.

 

[J.B. Welding]

Just while flapdisk is out ripping his 'scort to bits I'm gonna vent a bit of my automotive frustration-which Genius thought "mmmmmm, we dont have many replacement flywheels going out the factory, its just a solid lump of steel, anyone got any ideas how we can change it into an unrelyable and potentially dangerous spring loaded crap trap? We're gonna need to make our engines tick over like babies rattles first though.....give me a lister/petter anyday...

 

[AndyStobbs]

Aye the DMF and TVD is a huge con. My car is a 2001 v6 petrol, solid flywheel (18kg of it) newer models use the same engine block (heads reworked) and different gearbox and they come with DMF.
It's a joke, and I make s living fitting the sodded things

 

[the snooper]

the spring loaded claptrap was designed to get rid of vibrations at low revs if I remember correctly but they are junk as you say

 

[CompoSimmonite]

My old Volvo had a problem with the fuel pump relay sticking and car able to start. Tap would get it working again but in the end simply fitted a scrapyard item to sort the problem. Does the Escort have a relay for fuel pump ?

 

[J.B. Welding]

Btw I think the flywheel sensor was gettable from above, its around the end of the engine with the gearbox on it, facing into the non clutch side of the flywheel.

 

[AndyStobbs]

the spring loaded claptrap was designed to get rid of vibrations at low revs if I remember correctly but they are junk as you say

Also because crankshafts are getting thinner, and lighter, so less able to cope with torsional stress, the DMF helps smooth the firing pulses apparently, and so gives the crankshaft an easier time. TVD at the front end helps with the front cylinders.

 

[J.B. Welding]

DAMN THOSE DMF's should be outlawed. Whats a tvd?

 

[AndyStobbs]

Torsional vibration damper. BMW love them, big rubber mounted front pulley.

 

[Flapdisk]

@ Andy and Compo. I thought fuel pump initially and suspected the FP relay only to find it's on the back of the fuse panel and I can't get at it without becoming a hospital case :-)


@JB Ypu I was just checking the book, there is a tiny one inch square picture, all I can glean from it is that it's on the bloody engine at the bellhousing end :-) can't tell if it's front or back, but I will lift the bonnet tomorrow and find it, I will take it off and clean it.

 

[J.B. Welding]

Ah yes the torsional vibration damper...another essential part of any reliable engine!

 

[the snooper]

@ Andy and Compo. I thought fuel pump initially and suspected the FP relay only to find it's on the back of the fuse panel and I can't get at it without becoming a hospital case :-)

the fuse panels drop via a catch

these panels have clips round the edges and can be taken apart, they are known to have issues with dry joints

 

[Mick - Ford Focus]

Fuel Pump Under Rear Seat In The Top Of The Tank. Turn Ignition On To 1st Position And You Should Hear It Running For A Few Seconds. Fuse Box On Mine Had A Metal Clip At The Top That Allowed It To Drop Down. (Agh the snooper Got Me)

M

 

[Rocketman]

@Rocketman I know, that's why I was hoping someone had, had this before, to save me checking 100 things.
Nope no smell of fuel mate, it's fuel injected and I don't pump the throttle like a loony when it won't start.

No smell of petrol regardless of fuel injection or not / pumping or not suggests there is a fuelling issue. If you are turning over a car for ages and it won't start you should be able to smell fuel if it is being delivered.

 

[Flapdisk]

@ Snoop and Mick Ok thanks guys, I still have to remove the plastic panel that the fuse box cover is part off to get full access though don't I?

@ Mick and Rocketman. Excellent thanks guys, noted, I will check the pump noise tomorrow and then see if it will start. if it does I will clean the crank sensor anyway, and If it's a nice day I may grovel on the floor and get the fuse box out and check all the soldering. also if the fuel pump relay is the same as any other on there I will swap them and see if the intermittent fault moves to the other circuit.

 

[the snooper]

don't remove and pull apart unless you find the problem is a power supply issue, you should be able to drop it to get at relays without removing panels

 

[AndyStobbs]

Wouldnt waste your time on cleaning the ckp sensor. Unless its figured out a way of cleaning itself, its a pretty long shot.

 

[Mick - Ford Focus]

Flapdisk - Seem To Remember That Fuse Access Panel Pulled Out And Then The Fuse Tray Could Them Drop Down. Escort Long Gone, About 7-8 Years Now So Going Of Fuddled Memory. Check Pump Operation First. (Argh the snoop Again)

M