Arnie

After a gentle drive round the country side and highway, I was stuck in traffic. half an hour of crawling through the traffic, the idle became unstable and the car was smoking heavily. IThe engine was running rich; it had happened before, but after I reset the kept alive memory, everything is sweet again. I'm guessing one of the sensors doesn't like stop-start traffic and foul the fuel mixture reading, lambda sensor perhaps? anyone has any idea? If it's the lambda sensor, it may be a good time for me to try Stu's closed loop chip

Damo V

running rich could be the ECT sensor at back of head

tabetha

As said lot more liklely to be CTS, if lambda still need a new one with Closed Loop anyway.
tabetha

Arnie

right, so which one is it likely to be? the ECT or the CTS? maybe i should just replace both

Arnie

I'll never know which one is to blame, I've just ordered both

Arnie

I've bought a Draper 5pins diagnostic hand held equipment, but I've never got it to work. Has anyone tried?

JanDK

iTrader: (3)

I am not sure.. bont think it works on EsCos´s.... as I am aware of, not sure.

Arnie

if not, which one do you use to read error codes?

tabetha

Not all of the sensor malfunctions will show ERROR CODES, for example a CTS sensor will never show as faulty as it does not have a range that can be exceeded even when at fault, ie it(ECM) assumes it gets a reading and all is well, it does not know reading is out, as it has not been told to ignore anyting below or over a certain amount.
If you are getting a mix for a very cold engine at -10c but when it is ACTUALLY FULLY WARM IN SUMMER HEAT it does not know this.
I have one but have never used it, I beleive it does not work on later FORD ECM, only earlier Weber Marelli ones.
CTS is MAIN CORRECTIVE FACTOR FOR CO, so vital.
tabetha

ossie cossie

can someone tell me what ETC ,CTS ATC, etc.etc are i have seen all these abbreviations on here but i have a very basic knowledge of what the sensors are, TABETHA looks to be knowlegable on these things maybe you could help me and post up all the engine sensors and thier abbreviations . thanks.

Arnie

From my very limited knowledge, this is what I know:
ECT=engine coolant temp sensor
CTS=charge temp sensor
TPS=throttle position sensor
ISCV=idle speed control valve

I hope I'm right

Damo V

I think you will find what tabetha is refering to as the CTS is just another name for the ECT snesor ???

tabetha

Part of the probvlem is that different manufacturers will call the same thing something entirely different, such as

AATS = AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR
ACAV = VARIABLE ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTIC INDUCTION
ACC = AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR CLUTCH(NOT COMPRESSOR)
ACT = AIR CHARGE TEMPERATURE, a FORD term that refers to a sensor that is SEPRATE from a AFS, AIR FLOW SENSOR.
Ford also use the term ATS to mean AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR, most work on the NTC priciple but some RENIX equipped ECM(ECU) work on either that is to say NTC PTC.
ACW = ANTI CLOCKWISE or COUNTER CLOCKWISE
AEI = A device only used on RENIX which is used mainly on PUG/REN
AFM/AFS = AIR FLOW SENSORS
AFR = AIR FUEL RATIO
LAMBDA CHART = AFR FROM 0.7 to 1.3, which is LAMBDA 10.29 to 19.11
ALDL = ASSEMBLY LINE DIAGNOSTIC LINK
APS = MAP SENSOR
ASV = AIR SWITCHING VALVE
AT = AUTO TRANS
ATA = AUTO TRANS ACTUATOR
ATR = AUTO TRANS RELAY
This only scratches the surface of terms used, some odd/funny ones are
BACKCYCLING,BCI,BOB,BOO,BPC,BS/IEC,CANP/VCANP,CCMC,CCO,CD,CEL,CFCV,CFSV,CIH,CIS,CLT,CMH,CS P,CSI,CSV,DC-ISC,DEI,DIN,DME,DMM,DPFE,DTR,DVM,EACV,EAI,EBCV,ECR ,EDF,EDM,EEC,EGOS,EGR,EHPR,EI,US88LDTNEEC5.15.04,E MR,EMSENR,EPT,ERIC!!,ESA,ESC,EVR.
As you can imagine this is only a small amount of the abbreviations, I have to look up many, and this only goes to the letter E, there would be at least 200 more COMMON ONES.
Ford have at one time used most of the above but dropped the usage of lots to clear thing up ?
I will happily look any abbreviation for you if needed, but even ford call the same thing different on different cars it seems, not helpfull.
tabetha

JanDK

iTrader: (3)

None at the moment.. waiting for my laptop to get fixed, so I can install Stu´s (MSD/RB labs) IAW monitor. This will be my diagnotic tool.

But think the Escort can be read the same way as Saphirre´s with some wire a LED and a resistance of 500 ohm I think, connected to one plug. But this wil be better explained by other people here at PF

Arnie

I've read about the IAW monitor, but will it work ecu with after market chips? if it does, then I may get my mate to chip in and get one

JanDK

iTrader: (3)

what I know of.. yes, but chip (P8) need to be enabled to run datastream, if it cant already ofcause (somebody correct me if I am wrong ) and this is an MSD job to.. what I know of..

I am not the one to go in top details about this ..

Arnie

Got my ECT and ACT sensors, the ACT is easy to spot right on the plenum, but had no luck with the ECT! I spent an hour trying to find it, but just can't! I know it's suppose to be at the back near the firewall but where? HELP!! PLS!!

tabetha

About an inch away from the water pipe there, very back of head off side of car, you will easily see the multiplug going to it.
tabetha

Arnie

I got this off the Ford Manual, but it just doesn't make sense to me

Arnie

below the dip stick?

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Next to your dipstick is a water pipe.

below this water pipe is the CT sensor.

Arnie

Cheers!

Sounds like I won't be able to access it from above then, time to jack up the car?

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

No, its done from above mate.

Arnie

thanks, you've got pm btw.

THE RADMAN

iTrader: (2)

i do mine from below, you can just get a socket on it, and whip it out,and renew without losing more than an eggcup full of coolant, as long as the engine is cold of course! mind you i do have a pit which makes things a lot easier

Arnie

found the little bugger, but how the hell can you get to it from above!? the bloody hose and the dipstick is in the way! will try again some time this week. Stupid Ford design!

THE RADMAN

iTrader: (2)

its easier underneath mate

Damo V

I did mine from below

Arnie

finally sorted it out, but apparently u'll need the hand of a 5years old to get to it from above! I've wrap a couple of layers of teflon tape round the grooves before screwing the sensor in, hopefully I won't be leaking any coolant. Do I need to erase the kept alive memory?

I've also got a new ACT sensor, but what symtoms will I get if the ACT dies? I don't want to replace a perfectly good sensor.

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

You just need decent tools. 10mins in and out, no more, job done.

Arnie

It's easy for you to say, u own a bloody workshop

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

No need to get upset...

Arnie

like you said, time to get some decent tools

Arnie

anyone has any idea what symtoms I'll get if the ACT dies?

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Incorrect fuelling.

The ACT sensor is a global modifier for the fuel calculation, so its output accuracy is critical.

Arnie

ACT and ECT replaced, but the idle is still unstable and with black smoke from the exhaust (fueling?). the screw for the throttle was loose, maybe air escaping into the plenum through the bolt, but after the bolt was tightened, it's bloody same! what else could it be?

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Map sensor or stuck FPR then.

Arnie

sorry but what is FPR?

Arnie

Stu, if it's the MAP sensor, I may as well get your performance upgrade at the same time since I'm running on standard MAP sensor at the moment. Been thinking a lot about which upgrade to choose, your Siemen "Black" conversion does sound extremetly tempting, but don't want to break anymore things than necessary.

Forgot to ask, but does you upgrade require upgrading the standard actuator?

Arnie

right, did a search on what FPR is, it turns out to be Fuel Pressure Regulator. it is the round thing at the end of the fuel rail right? I've only done like 5000miles since new FPR, could it be the vacuum pipings? or can I clean it? but how?