1998 Ford Escort ZX2 2.0L No Spark

EDDIE TRUJILLO

MEMBER
1998 FORD ESCORT

I recently swapped engines with another 1998 Escort ZX2 2.0. Both engines ran before removal. Both engines are 1998, DOHC. My car has a Manual Trans. The new engine came off one with Auto Trans. I swapped the flywheels to keep the manual trans. The problem I'm having is no spark. I took it to an auto repair shop. They checked the Crankshaft & Camshaft Position Sensors - both are good. There is power to the fuel injectors, but no pulse. The computer has no signal coming out. I replaced the ECU (computer) - Not the problem. I put a new coil pack - not the problem. I haven't changed the Multi-function relay yet, but I did try one from a junk yard (no improvement, but it was from a junk yard), so I'm not certain. I'm wondering if I could have smashed a wire (e.G, ground) or something similar during engine installation. I've looked visually and cannot find any bad wires. Is there another common point where all these no spark symptoms could be failing? Any other ideas about how to track down this problem?

7 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Start by swapping the old cam and crank sensors. Might have lost an ignition module.

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Monday, July 16th, 2007 AT 7:47 AM

ELCABRITOFRESCO

MEMBER
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If you put an automatic engine into a 5-speed car, then it's the cup that holds the Crank Positioning sensor, located just under the exhaust manifold. It is a bitch to change though, because you have to separate the engine and transmission to get to it. After you do that, its just one little screw that holds it in place. The head of this screw is just inside where the transmission meets the engine, which is why you must separate them.

The reason your car won't start with the sensor housing that you have is the ring gear. The CPS (crank positioning sensor) is supposed to get magnetic impulses from the ring gear. However, an automatic transmission has a larger ring gear, so the CPS faces straight towards the driver side fender. However, the 5-speed's smaller ring gear calls for the CPS housing to point the sensor more towards the driver.

To sum it up, your current CPS is facing like this [ --- ]
However, it is supposed to be facing more like this [ / ]

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