Cutting in and out

Hey everyone ! My 02 escort just started cutting in and out at lights when at a stop, or in park. It was recently in an accident,(St. Patricks Day) where I had to replace the hood, hood latch, plastic the headlights sit in, headlights, radiator, fan, and the power steering resivor. I had it back up and running in 3 days after the accident. No problems at all. The only thing i didn't replace that i think needs replacing is where the air filter is, the plastic all around it is cracked. I don't know if this has anything to do with the car cutting in and out, but when i come to a stop the car feels like it's going to cut out and die on me. This car is an automatic, I have to hold the brake and lightly keep the rpm's going to keep it running still. I do not have a tack so i'm not sure what my idle rpm's are running at.It just started doing this last night when i was on my way to pick up my girlfriend from work. This is my daily driver and it's shared between me and my girlfriend, so any suggestions or help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Brian

The only thing i didn't replace that i think needs replacing is where the air filter is, the plastic all around it is cracked.
if your sucking in unmetered air from cracks, computer will try to adjust
air/fuel ratio.replace/repair air filter housing
Good luck

any codes or cel

The only thing i didn't replace that i think needs replacing is where the air filter is, the plastic all around it is cracked.
if your sucking in unmetered air from cracks, computer will try to adjust
air/fuel ratio.replace/repair air filter housing
Good luck

any codes or cel

No code's, No check engine light. You think that would cause the car to cut in and out like it wants to die?

no,now that i think about it.i guess it be like running without the housing.
air isn't acually measured until it goes through trottle body/maf.
sorry about that.
whats been done lately any plugs filters
did this happen right after accident??
maybe look for a loose ground or even a vacuum line?
how many miles?

it's got 82,112 miles. It's been running for a week and a couple days since i got it back running.Only thing that's been changed is the air filter, Oil change is coming up at 82,787.
Other than that just the thing's done mentioned above.

Just got home and checked the car, I seem to be losing oil. There was oil on top of the bottom side of the hood, and also after sitting for only 5 mins there was oil leaking from underneath the engine. I also noticed on my way home from work when it starts to cut out really bad like it's going to die the oil light flashes on the dash. No check engine, just the oil light flashes on until I give it gas to keep it from dying. Any suggestions on where to start looking or replacing would be great, this is my only car and I don't have the money to be taking it to a mechanic to have it looked at. Thanks
Brian

If it is trying to cut out then the RPM's are so low that your oil pressure is low and the light is coming on. I would say this is normal considering the low RPM's. First thing I would look at is spark plug wires.

I would clean the idle valve/throttle body and check for vacuum leaks :cool:

Thanks, Whats the easiest way to clean the idle Valve/throttle body? better get started on that before I gotta drive to work. I'll keep everyone updated.

vegas,where is the oil leaking from underneath??or is it runing down f/hood
more info on oil on the hood, unless its spraying from something
there should'nt be any on the hood
if its low (from leak)could be related to idle
have you checked oil level?

vegas,where is the oil leaking from underneath??or is it runing down f/hood
more info on oil on the hood, unless its spraying from something
there should'nt be any on the hood
if its low (from leak)could be related to idle
have you checked oil level?

I checked the oil level last night when i was waiting for my gf to get off and it was a little low, I topped it off with oil before driving home. The oil is on top of the bottom of the hood...idk how to explain it, It's over by the hood latch, and more towards the passsenger side of the car. For the most part it looks like it's all over the underneath of the hood. I had looked at the car and checked the oil before starting up this morning and it was at the correct level. I started it up with the hood open this morning too see if i could see any leaks or hear anything, I ran it about 10 min to also see if there was any oil spraying out anywhere and i didn't see anything obvious. The car also did not cut in and out like it was going to die at all this morning on my way to work. This has me confused

No answers or suggestions???

Are you sure its engine oil? one of the escorts I owned had a bad nylon power steering line washer and it would shoot up under the hood but not anywhere else.

hmmm.. ya i'm not positive on that.. checked all fluid's and neither oil nor powersteering fluid seem low... But yet that would make sense since in the accident the resivor for the powersteering cracked, and i got a new one from the local picka part took the two lines that attach to it also... I'll have to check it out when i get off work...Now still the engine cutting out like it's going to die?d I'm stumped on that one.

They only thing that comes to mind on the cutting in and out would be defective spark plug wires..i had two sets in a row that would spark but not enough...I'll never buy cheapies again:biggrin:

They only thing that comes to mind on the cutting in and out would be defective spark plug wires..i had two sets in a row that would spark but not enough...I'll never buy cheapies again:biggrin: The engine would cut in and out and I went through every possible solution that never worked..I even gutted my CAT thinking it was blocked...so on a whym I just changed the wires and it worked.

Ya that's the only thing i can really think of too.. I was thinking about going to autozone and buying some chepies plugs n wires too. But from what i've read it's better to spend the extra couple dollars and get the better ones.Guess i'll have to wait till Friday when i get my check.

vegas have you checked the ground straps/connections??
try & run another ground. body to engine,& battery ground to engine
see if that helps

Update: i just replaced the spark plugs, Didn't have the $ for wires at the time. Car still cuts in and out. I'll try and replace the wires tonight maybe? I'll keep ya updated

I also changed my fuel filter along with plugs.

Sounds like you need to inspect for more damage. The wreck crushed your framing far-enough in to reach the radiator, air cleaner and other such items, it was a pretty bad wreck. Could have valve cover, exhaust header and/or oil pan damage. I don't know about the 3rd-Gen scorts, but on the 2nd, there is also some wiring that runs underneath the fenders and up around the front-framing on the vehicle.

They only thing that comes to mind on the cutting in and out would be defective spark plug wires..i had two sets in a row that would spark but not enough...I'll never buy cheapies again:biggrin:

So many things can cause this problem. I'm not familiar with the 02 Escort but if it has an EGR valve it could be leaking at idle after warm up. I think the EGR valve stays closed at idle and opens according to vacuum when accelerating. If the EGR valve is stuck open after warm up, it leaks, and causes poor idle and even stalling.
Another thing that comes to mind is a loose wire someplace or a bad spark plug or ignition wire coming from the coil.
Also, make sure it isn't a fuel filter, fuel line, or fuel delivery problem with the fuel pump. Good luck.

It just doesn't do it when its warmed up, I can't even drive my car. It feels like the idle just needs to be adjusted but according from what I've read there's no adjusting it on this car. It starts every time but won't stay on unless i have my foot on the gas pedal. I've read that it could be the ignition coil pack, Is there anyway of testing it ?