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Ford Escort ZX2

1555 messages,  Last post on Dec 19, 2012 at 2:18 PM

You are in the Ford Escort ZX2 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escort, Coupe

Messages Page 151 of 157

#1493 of 1555 Re: 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 Cranks but Won't Start [2000escortzx2] by 2000escortzx2

Jul 05, 2009 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: 2000escortzx2 (May 30, 2009 1:51 pm)
2000 Ford Escort ZX2 Cranks but Won't Start (Solution to the Problem). Here is the answer for anyone who runs into the same problem. We took our ZX2 to a different Firestone in town (Recommended by the AAA tow-truck driver). I explained the problem, detailed all of the work I had already done in attempts to fix it, and one week later, they called us with the solution. They needed to completely rewire the PCM, also known as the "Relay Control Box." Grand total was $342.40 for the work. All labor. No parts. According to Firestone, the PCM may have shorted out because it was subjected to water/moisture. This could have happened at a number of points, so here's our general timeline. Maybe you, the reader, can learn from our mistakes... We decided to donate the car to "Charity Cars (CC)." CC said the car could qualify for their donation program and we would likely be able to claim full market value on our taxes. They required us to have the vehicle towed to the crappy Firestone in town for an inspection. Before it was towed, we drove it to a car wash, had it cleaned real well, drove it back home, and parked it in the garage for a week. The tow truck showed up (after three failed shows, by the way) and I drove the ZX2 onto the flatbed. No problems. The flatbed left for the crappy Firestone that morning. Two weeks later, after many phone calls to CC and the crappy Firestone to find out what was going on, CC finally admits to us that they do not want the car and will not explain why. We suspect foul play and demand the car back. They acquiesce and tell us to go pick it up at Firestone. We arrive at the Crappy Firestone where they charge us for the tow and the inspection (both of which, the car did not need - we could have driven it all the way to CC in Florida, it ran THAT well). Crappy Firestone then goes down the list of inspection items that they found; normal wear and tear for a 9-year-old ZX2 and then as we are leaving (after we have paid), the clerk casually mentions that they had trouble getting our car started. In fact, he mentioned it so casually that I did not even make the mental connection to think it was a serious problem; I figured maybe it was a neutral safety switch issue or something like that and that it was starting most of the time and he was just having trouble once in a while. We did not realize what he meant by "having trouble starting" until we went out to the parking lot and tried to leave. The car would not start. No one from the Crappy Firestone seemed to care. One mechanic finally came out after he saw us struggling in the parking lot and tried spraying some fuel injector fluid to get it started. The car still did not start. He then made some recommendations to me to try a new distributor coil or a new valve cover gasket. So long story, short, we ended up calling AAA to tow our car from Crappy Firestone back to my own garage so I could fix something that was not broken when I drove it out of my garage two weeks earlier. Our ZX2 then proceeded to sit in my garage for over a month as I attempted one solution after another (distributor coil, then valve cover gasket, then spark plugs, then spark plug cables) to no avail and then I gave up and figured it must be the car alarm preventing the engine from starting. So I called AAA again for help and when the tow truck driver arrived, I explained the whole story to him. He then informed me how shady the Crappy Firestone was and recommended I have it towed to the Better Firestone in town and voila! Fixed less than a week later. So the PCM could have gotten wet when we had it washed, or it could have crapped out at the Crappy Firestone somehow; since they mentioned the problem so casually and DID NOT include it as a problem on the inspection report, we suspected more foul play there. Another possibility is that the original tow truck driver hired by CC did something to it while unloading it at the Crappy Firestone. Longer story shorter, the car runs incredibly well again, like it always did, for a nine-year-old car, and my wife and I have donated it to a very dear family friend who was absolutely ecstatic to receive what he called his "first new car." Seriously, it was like watching a 17-year-old kid get his license. So, cheers and thanks to everyone on here who offered advice and guidance. Be safe and take care and keep your PCM clean and dry. -Brian

#1494 of 1555 2000 5 speed by bholtz

Jul 06, 2009 (9:47 am)

Where is the "neutral safety switch" located. (The switch that does not allow the starter to engage unless the clutch is depressed.)

#1495 of 1555 Engine size by 2basko

Jul 08, 2009 (6:22 am)

How do you tell what engine size is in a 1998 Escort Sport
 
2basko

#1496 of 1555 RE: #1495 Engine size by russ95

Jul 08, 2009 (6:00 pm)

#1497 of 1555 Re: Engine size [2basko] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 08, 2009 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: 2basko (Jul 08, 2009 6:22 am)
Engine size is the same on all '98 Escorts, 2.0L sohc or dohc (ZX models with the number 3 engine code in the VIN).

#1498 of 1555 Re: Engine size [Mr_Shiftright] by 2basko

Jul 10, 2009 (6:56 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 08, 2009 6:05 pm)
Thank you..
 
2basko

#1499 of 1555 99 ford Escort Help by myrtle73

Jul 13, 2009 (9:36 am)

Hi, the driver belt came off of the car. I steering was very difficult to turn the car and I opened the hood and noticed the driver belt was off. I'm trying to put it back on, but I don't know how to do it. I mean I can't get my hands in the area that I need to put the belt on. The area is very small and I would like to know if there is an easier way to put the belt on and then tighten it.

#1500 of 1555 Re: 2000 5 speed [bholtz] by bholtz

Jul 13, 2009 (10:39 am)

Replying to: bholtz (Jul 06, 2009 9:47 am)
It's under the gas pedal at the floorboard. There's another switch at the top that I thought was it but it is not. Ford wants $71.00 for this switch (no wonder they didn't go under!!) but I fixed it by taking it out of the wiring harness (just unplug it) and putting a jumper wire where it plugged in. Sure, it will start in gear now but if you're that dumb get an automatic. I hate antilock brakes too! I'm old school and I want my cars that way too.

#1501 of 1555 Re: 99 ford Escort Help [myrtle73] by russ95

Jul 13, 2009 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: myrtle73 (Jul 13, 2009 9:36 am)
First do not drive the car W/O the belt on. You must next determine why the belt came off, belt worn out, bad idler bearing, bad tensioner, ect. Only then can you install a NEW belt. If you have confidence in your abilities then you must jack up the rt front & get dirty. The belt routing is available many places online just search "99 Escort serpantine belt installation".
Good Luck,
russ

#1502 of 1555 2002 manual zx2 stalling when air is on by atomtan2

Jul 18, 2009 (7:36 am)

Our 2k2 manual tranny ZX2 w/100,000 miles on it stalls frequently when the air conditioning is turned on. The timing belt was replaced at 80k. Any suggestions? Solutions?
 
Thanks

Messages Page 151 of 157

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