98 excort with no diagnois

JR_9_86

MEMBER
1998 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Okay I have a 98 ford excort with 150k it was in great condition but someone drove my car over a large water crossing and they drove fast thru the water, 20 minutes later the check engine light came on and the car started cutting out bad, it would barely go, then 2-3 weeks later car died and wont start back. Any ideals? Plz and thanks

3 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

IT SURE WOULDA BEEN NICE IF YOU HAD DRIVEN OVER TO A POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORE. AND GOT "CODED"

MOST WILL "CODE" 'EM FOR FREE!

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM. MAY NOT COME RIGHT OUT AND TELL YOU WHAT TO REPLACE. BUT WILL INDICATE WHAT SYSTEM IS HAVING THE PROBLEM. SO IT CAN BE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED.

BUT STILL, YOU MAY HAVE SEPARATE ISSUES, NOT COVERED BY THE "CEL"

1ST STEP, GET IT CODED!

MYSELF. ONCE, BEGGED AND COMPENSATED AN AUTO STORE EMPLOYEE TO COME TO ME, AND CHECK CODES. BEFORE I GOT MY OWN "READER". THEIR NOT REAL EXPENSIVE. WAY LESS THAN A TOWING BILL!

OBTAIN HOWEVER. WE CAN TELL YOU HOW TO USE THE READER IF YOU GET ONE, AND ARE UNSURE!

WE NEED THE CODE NUMBERS TO BEGIN

YOUR THOUGHTS?

THE MEDIC

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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 4:27 AM

JR_9_86

MEMBER
2 POSTS

My thoughts are thanks 4 the information, see few ppl tell me it jumped time by the way it acts, and everytime I try and explain we went over water and then the next minute the car messed up. So finally get sum useful information and im going to get it coded asap. Thank u for your help. Do u think the chances are that the car isnt very damaged?//

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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 6:20 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Hard to say about "very damaged"....Just from my experiences...water/ electricity do not mix well!!!

Older "Good Stuff"...wipe out the distributor cap, and you're on your way!......Check engine light and computer were unheard of!....I still live in those days!

New stuff.....lean over to pick up a Kleenex, accidentally sneeze in floorboard area.....computer or related component gets "Misted" with slobber....door locks go haywire...gauges sweep aimlessly...warning lights...computer shuts down ignition system...calls go out to "On Star"...Hubble Telescope get rotated in space to view your car...you spend $1,000,000 to get it to a shop.....$13.50 part gets replaced!

Or.....You get it to shop for $8.50 (tow rope and gas in you buddy's truck)....Calls made to China, "Ping Ting Shang Taca Haaashee" must build you a new computer for $1250.00 and his special team must be flown in to install it!

Or....(Example Only, Stupid Numbers) You find out code P0173 (Left bank too rich) Buy O2 sensor, $89.00, install you're done......Stick you with a Fork!!!

Gotta know them codes 1st....1st step towards a fix with a modern car!

I JUST DON'T LIKE 'EM.....OLD WAY, EVERY DAY....FOR ME!

KEEP ON COMMUNICATING

I ENJOY AUTOMOTIVE SOAP OPERAS!

THE MEDIC

OTHER LINKS TO MY COUNTRY BOY STUFF, THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2005-ford-focus-power-steering

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2007-ford-taurus-tune-up

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1961-jeep-other-wiring-change

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