so I have purchased a escort xr3i that wont run , apparently it did run 18 months ago. 1993 1.8 silver top xr3i


so new battery and drain all old fuel and replace with fresh fuel

I have fuel at the little valve on the fuel rail ( but dont know if the pressure is right ) fuel pressure gauge kit coming tomorrow

im 99% sure its a fuel issue . occasionally when you start to crank it will fire for a second then nothing

it did have a immobiliser on it but I have fully removed this and re joined the 2 cuts to the loom made

checked the fuel pump and I can hear it running

pulled the plugs and they spark

where do I go next please , any ideas would be great
thanks all

 

Is it trying to start at all? If you crank and then pull a plug is it wet?

Assume this was an aftermarket immob? There is a Ford immob fitted as standard too. Red light on the dash should go off with ignition and not flash/go solid when cranking.

 

The plot thickens. The red light by the clock is constant red all the time once ignition is on.
but. With a squirt of easy start it has fired up. It will run but very very lumpy. It will only rev up a little at a time. The air flow meter makes no difference is connected or not.
there is no chip in the key that I can see.

im more confused than before. There is obviously no diagnostic port on the car

 

do you have the red key? or black with red dot if not you may not have chip key so shitty ford alarm will be on..

 

it should have obd port in pass side kick well

 

but I can get it to run tho ?

 

no main red key or any key with red dot on

 

you can get it to run by useing easy start yes this is because ford alarm cuts fuel pump..

 

The fuel
pump is running. Once it fires on easy start it will run on its own. Just massive hunting and won’t rev up.

 

so is the shitty alarm only cutting out the fuel pump ? I assumed it did more than that . the pump runs constantly once the ignition is turned on , I would expect it to only run for a few seconds ?

how hard is it to get rid of the alarm thingy , there is a chance that the fuel pump is getting a 12v from somewhere else ?

 

just been out to double check , there is no transponder ring or any wiring around the ignition barrel
and 100% no chip in the key

is there a chance this was pre pats ?

 

ok so im 100% sure its not a immobiliser issue ..

ita also not a fuel pressure fault .confirmed its at 3 bar

so how do I check a air flow meter ?

thanks

 

Airflow meter won't stop it starting. Zetecs will start and run with it unplugged.

Did you change the fuel filter when you replaced the fuel?
Pulled the injectors and given them a clean? Poor spray pattern could be a cause.
Checked the cam timing (tho I'd expect pops/bangs/or horrible engine noise if it was that out)?
Compression test? Its an unknown engine, could easily be f*cked

 

Compression was done. All good. Yes new fuel filter.

if I get it started on a whiff of easy start. It will run. But very badly on its own. It will
also re start whilst it’s warm. But once cold then nothing.

 

ok my clever people ......

so with the ignition on and the pump running at 3 bar , if I put 12v to the injector it gives a beautiful spray of fuel
but cranking there is no fuel . any ideas please
there is deff some thing there as my meter is bouncing up , but dont think there is enough ?
thanks

 

should I be looking at camshaft or crankshaft position sensors ?

I am deff getting a spark , so that should indicate at least 1 of these is working ?

 

so I have borrowed a set of noid lights , they deff light up as the engine spins , no way to know if they should be really bright or not but they do light up

yet if I directly add 12v the injector sprays

are they gummed up and the signal is not long enough for them to fire

im so confused here ... im used to cars that have a OBD plug and I can see what's going on

please please please help me before I just start buying more new bits I dont need

 

OBD port should be in pass kick well... could be anything tho really

 

no its pre OBD 1992 . it has that silly 3 pin plug on the inner wing

 

ah ryt mk5 xr3i.. could have fuse box issues in that case as there suffer with that aswell..

 

why cant I upload a small video ?
thanks

 

ahh seems I have done it


YAHOOOOOOOOOO. finally it was. bad ECU giving weak injector signals

 

Great to hear this..Happy days now