98 ZX2 wont start, no fire to plugs

98 Escort ZX2 4 cyl automatic tranny


Daughter in law just bought the car, already had to put a fuel pump and alternator on it. Alternator was overcharging.

Today car would not start. Cranked over fine, I put a little gas in the throttle body and no go, so I got a plug wire and plug, put it on the coil pack and grounded the plug to the engine and no spark. I verified that the plug and wire I used to test worked on another vehicle, so it seems the car isn't getting spark for some reason.

I tried to unhook the neg battery terminal hoping that it was a stuck relay or something simple but no luck.

No warning lights are lit up.

Any suggestions as to where I should go from here? I hate the idea of throwing parts at it hoping to find the right one.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Three things come to mind-

1. If the crank sensor is bad or unplugged then you won't get spark.

2. The coil may be bad.

3. Maybe a timing belt issue.

Three things come to mind-

1. If the crank sensor is bad or unplugged then you won't get spark.

2. The coil may be bad.

3. Maybe a timing belt issue.

Thanks, I am going to start out with the crank sensor, (cheapest to replace) and pray that it is not the timing belt.

I wasn't suggesting that you replace the sensor... there may be nothing wrong with it!

Use a multimeter and test the circuits. See if your coild is even getting power. Check the electrical connector on the coil and make sure it isn't damaged.

Verify your timing belt isn't broken before you start changing parts. If you can find another Escort, see if you can swap coils or crank sensors to verify the problem. There are lots of Escorts out there in the boneyards!

I wasn't suggesting that you replace the sensor... there may be nothing wrong with it!

Use a multimeter and test the circuits. See if your coild is even getting power. Check the electrical connector on the coil and make sure it isn't damaged.

Verify your timing belt isn't broken before you start changing parts. If you can find another Escort, see if you can swap coils or crank sensors to verify the problem. There are lots of Escorts out there in the boneyards!

I have to change it anyway, it broke while I was trying to unplug it. Does it just push in and stay in place with the o ring that is on it? There is a #30 torx screw behind the sensor, but it is really impossible to get to the screw while the sensor is in place.

The broken one pulled out with the screw and sensor adapter (for lack of a better word) in place.

I suppose I can take the oil cap off and crank the engine and if the cam rotates the timing belt is not broken.

The car was running, she parked it and then it would not start a couple of days later. No power at the plugs. Turns over fine.