1998 Ford Escort Car wont start

Also, my buddy hooked up his scanner to the car to see if any codes would come up. Nothing did. But about 3 months ago I went to a auto zone by me to get the Check engine light looked at. He said it could be do to a oxygen sensor failing. Is it possible that the sensor failed and thus not letting the car start? We also checked to make sure we where getting a spark through the ignition cables, we grounded it and sure enough a spark showed up.

Wow, i'm glad I didnt put any money into this "site" I had a feeling it was a scam from the start and now I believe it to be. I will never use this place again. Worst "help" site I have ever been to I will steer friends and family away.

Thanks for nothing

Enselray

I got the car fixed

The spring broke, allowing the Belt to loosen and the gears ruined the belt.

This car is a zero tolerance engine at leased "my" engine is, it is the single camshaft 2.1L I believe. Luckily I was going 5 MPH and pulling into a spot and when I got the belt replaced the car worked just like new. My mechanic told me that it was a 1 in a million shot, and that I shouldn't go to veges since I just used up all my luck. :) He is a good guy.

: Help other people diagnose :
Note: There are simple things the car needs to run. Gas, Electric (Spark), and Air. Check that first.

1) you spray start up fluid into the engine, and try to start the car. If it starts for a second and shuts off you have a fuel problem. (With the escort its probably the fuel pump.) If it still dose not start. (Rules out a Fuel problem, unless all your injectors are bad. If your car have them)

2) This is dangerous. But my roommate grounded a screwdriver to the engine block and touched the spark coil that goes to the spark plug, I tried to start the car and we got a spark. So it was not electrical. (If you have a better idea as to check this I would recommend it, the way he did it is very dangerous)

3) lastly check the Air intake. Take out the air filter and hold a piece of paper in front of the hole for the intake. And have someone try to start the car. The paper should go towards the hole if it is pulling in air.

In my case, number 1 did not start the engine. Number 2 Sparked so there was electric. And number 3 pulled in air. But since the timing belt was not "timing" everything properly the engine could not start. To check the timing belt, locate the casing, mine was on the left of the engine. I took the two nuts off at the top. And put a screw driver between the cracks (just enough to pull the two sides a little apart to see inside. And had someone try to start the car. I saw the belt hit the crack and I knew that is what was wrong.

I hope this helps someone else down the road, I wish you good luck and remember I am not a mechanic, just someone who likes to play around with something that dose not work.

I cant believe I never got a reply from 2 car pro's. I am disappointed.

Enselray