1996 Ford Escort Popping on Decel

1996 FORD ESCORT
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GUITARMONKEYS04
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1996 Ford Escort... 120,000 miles... The service engine soon light is on. The car starts right up and sounds fine when idling, and when you rev the engine it sounds fine, but when the rpm's are going back down, it makes a loud and fast popping/cracking noise. It has been like this for a while and it sounds like it is coming from the engine... Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
May 9, 2006 at 10:58 AM
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LOSONE
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Hummm, I can't tell exactly without more info like check engine light?? You make have stripped a tooth from the timing belt--maybe?
May 9, 2006 at 11:01 AM
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GUITARMONKEYS04
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Well, the check engine light isnt on, but the service engine soon light is on...
May 9, 2006 at 11:04 AM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
Same thing get the codes read by a mechanic with a scanner. let me know
May 9, 2006 at 11:08 AM
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GUITARMONKEYS04
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alright, thanks
May 9, 2006 at 11:10 AM
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WITNESS7
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could be any number of sensors gone bad such as throttle sensor.. or idle control sensor... i recommend taking it to a autozone store near you hopefully you have one at your location they do a free computer test on car's that can diagnose where the problem is... and since that light is coming on that means your computer has registered the problem so when they check it they can tell you exactly what the problem is and this is a free service that autozone does for folks....
May 11, 2006 at 1:56 PM
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Suggested Repair

Have the service engine codes read with a scanner; a parts store may offer a free scan. Experts only speculated about a timing belt tooth, throttle position sensor, or idle control sensor, so diagnose from the codes before replacing parts.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Ford Escort says the service engine soon light is on and the engine makes a loud, fast popping or cracking noise as RPM falls after revving, while idle and revving sound normal. Experts say that light means stored codes and recommend a scanner diagnosis. Possible causes mentioned include a stripped timing belt tooth and faulty throttle or idle sensors.

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