Revisiting an old problem

[mightymoose_22]

I went down to Pep Boys this afternoon and got a printout from the Mitchell On Demand service that goes over soem diagnostics for this circuit... however it requires the use of a breakout box, which I don't have. I found one for sale for about $80 and don't want to spring for that, so I will try to work around it. It is very useful and gives specific pins on the PCM connector to check the wires and grounding problems.

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

well I have looked... a new one would cost at least $200, in some places as high as $350.
Right now I have a bid in on eBay for $5.50. For that price I don't mind giving it a shot.


As for the computer... if I swap it out and it works, I can only wonder how long it will last since it is used. Still better than spending a few hundred bucks.

"I am still trying to find out now what the dif is between DIS and EDIS... they are both distributorless electronic ignition aren't they?"

The major difference is the DIS system requires a CID (Cylinder Identification; cam phase) sensor.

Since your engine has a camshaft sensor....it is not EDIS. Since it is not a EDIS, you need to identify the module you referred to as the EDIS module. (Maybe ignition module}?

[jman63]

A '94 escort 1.9 is most definately EDIS. (electronic distributerless ignition system) The module is located between the engine fuse box and the driver side strut tower. Any '91 thru '95 escort/tracer with a 1.9 is EDIS. The module is clearly labeled EDIS in big red letters.

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

I went down to Pep Boys this afternoon and got a printout from the Mitchell On Demand service that goes over soem diagnostics for this circuit... however it requires the use of a breakout box, which I don't have. I found one for sale for about $80 and don't want to spring for that, so I will try to work around it. It is very useful and gives specific pins on the PCM connector to check the wires and grounding problems.

Glad to hear you got a printout.
1. I would check the Camshaft sensor for AC output just like you did the Crankshaft.
2. Identify the wire color code/s in the Camshaft Sensor connector. You should be able to trace those color codes up to the next component.....either the ignition module or the EEC.
3. Disconnect both ends of the harness and perform a continuity check on them. Do you have a DVOM?

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by jman63

A '94 escort 1.9 is most definately EDIS. (electronic distributerless ignition system) The module is located between the engine fuse box and the driver side strut tower. Any '91 thru '95 escort/tracer with a 1.9 is EDIS. The module is clearly labeled EDIS in big red letters.

O.K. thanks jman63,
As you can see, I'm struggling trying to identify the correct ignition system without a wiring diagram or much of anything to go on. The information I relayed to MM22 was out of the Ford Electronic Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control (Technical Information).....looks like we've got something else to sort out.
Thanks again.

[mightymoose_22]

Again I suppose I made an assumption that I should not have. I thought by identifying my engine as a 1.9 it would tell what components were involved... I have always heard that the Escorts were basicall ythe same from year to year til late 90's.
From the diagrams I have pulled up now I can pretty easily trace the wires from the PCM connector, through the EDIS, then to the sensors.
I did test power a tthe cam sensor the other day, and there was some, but I did not know what the specs were at the time. I got that out of the Mitchell info today and will test it again to see if it is right.

My multimeter is not digital... I've got the ol needle going. Works fine for this, but I just need to be able to see the needle which is a pain sometimes.

I need to get out there again with my new info and see what I can turn up. I am pretty confident at this point that the wiing is going to be fine and that the sensors are fine... I think it is a matter of whether the EDIS or PCM is not working right. When I did the engine change the EDIS was at the end of the wiring harness and was removed from the car for a day or two... perhaps something happened to it at the time. However, all the info I am digging up from day to day points to the PCM... hopefully a little more testing will sort it out.

And FYI... the dealer wanted the hour labor to put it on the machine and get the code that I already retrieved and told them what it was. They didn't want to do anything unless they diagnosed it themselves... at this point I would rather let them do it, but don't have the dough for it.

[mightymoose_22]

FYI, if anyone cares, I bought a new computer on eBay and have since experienced an eBay nightmare. 3 weeks later I am still waiting for the guy to ship the thing. I only paid $20 for it so I would rather wait it out and have him send it then shop for it somewhere else and pay more.
So... whenever it shows up I should be able to report some results

[fishing1000]

When nothing helps, dont forget to check that the wires are in good order. My daughter's escort 99's SES light was on a few weeks back and everyone indicated that the fuel pressure sensor needed replacing. I bought one from ford but did not put it in because I was never sure that it was the problem as the car ran just fine and because both the fuel pressure and the vacumn were OK. What else could be wrong, I asked myself. I thought about the wires and after a quick test with an Ohm-Meter, the problem was identified. The wire that feeds the computer with the sensor signal was cut at 1/4 inch from the connector. After sondering the two ends together, the light stayed off.

[mightymoose_22]

Regarding the check engine light... code 214- Cylinder Identification Circuit-

Turns out that the camshaft was missing the magnet that gives the signal to the sensor. While I was able to verify good wires and that power was where it was supposed to be, I never had the tools needed to see the signal was not there. So... while I had the head off for other reasons I put a new cam in and the light went right out TO refresh... I had replaced the engine awhile back, and apparently the boneheads that put it together put the wrong cam in... it was the right cam to an extent, as the car ran just fine, but it was the wrong cam in that it was missing the magnet!

[AzTumbleweed]

Congratulations. I'd have given up by now. Never would have even thought of that!