Full Throttle and Cranking to start

[AlbertBailM321]

I have a 1997 Escort. I changed the fule pump & filter, it is firing on all sylinders, the inhectors are all pulsing, and fuel pressure is fine.

I can only get it to act like it wants to run by holding the fuel throttle all the way down, and cranking while it seems to want to start. It start the spudder and run like that, then I can release the throttle and it will run but almost like it is starving for fuel then stall. Checked timing belt, it is on but I have not checked to see if marks are aligned yet. Checked all cyclinders for compression, 155 cold for every cylinder.

originally, it just quit running. Then this problem.

[AzTumbleweed]

I'd check those timing marks first.

[Intuit]

Definitely TW.

If you're holding the throttle to the floor before you begin cranking then it shouldn't start except to burn what is already in the cylinder; sputter in other words. For EFI equipped vehicles including your '97 this tells the computer to turn-off the fuel injectors; though it will still fire the spark. It's a featue meant to prevent flooding and to clear flooded engines.

If you can consistently hold the throttle to the floor and still get it to sputter like it'll start then I'd verify that the Throttle Position Sensor is working.

If you can only get it to run by holding the pedal at 2k RPM then would take a close look at the Idle Air Control valve which may not be holding the throttle open far enough for a cold engine to work.

Those are my guesses. Let us know what you find out.

[AlbertBailM321]

Originally Posted by Intuit

Definitely TW.

If you're holding the throttle to the floor before you begin cranking then it shouldn't start except to burn what is already in the cylinder; sputter in other words. For EFI equipped vehicles including your '97 this tells the computer to turn-off the fuel injectors; though it will still fire the spark. It's a featue meant to prevent flooding and to clear flooded engines.

If you can consistently hold the throttle to the floor and still get it to sputter like it'll start then I'd verify that the Throttle Position Sensor is working.

If you can only get it to run by holding the pedal at 2k RPM then would take a close look at the Idle Air Control valve which may not be holding the throttle open far enough for a cold engine to work.

Those are my guesses. Let us know what you find out.

It was the timing. However, looking at the old belt you could not tell. It was in good shape, no broken or worn teeth. So, I slipped it off and reinstalled it with the marks in place, but it wouldn't start. I checked it again, and the marks were off again. So I bought a new belt, put it on and it worked. The old belt was not lose, worn, or broken-- it may have been streached just very little.

It is fixed!

[Intuit]

Great to know. Thanks for the follow-up!