Car dies while driving and won't start

[thepaddy]

Hi,

I have an 89 Ford Escort 1.9L EFI. Okay, here's the deal. I can start up the car and drive approximately 20 miles, then out of the blue the engine dies and I need to pull over. No sputtering just killed but I still have power. The radio continues to play. Try cranking the engine over and it sounds like it's trying but no turn. If the car sits for about an hour it will start right back up. Same thing happens if I just drive for 15 minutes park and try to restart again, nothing. I replaced the ignition module and coil to no avail. Spark plugs and wires were replaced over the summer. Just checked to see if I'm getting a spark after it dies and won't start. No spark. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Patrick

[eeseen racing]

distributor

[Texas]

Originally posted by eeseen racing
distributor yeah, ok :rolleyes:

I would think it could be your catalytic converter; iof it is plugged your O2 sensor will get code.... if you have one...or your computer is getting some sort of failure code.

[Primer_Drift]

I know you replaced the ignition module, but thats exactly what it sounds like. Ignitor overheats and doesnt work until it cools off. Check your ground to your ignitor, and connectors to your distributor. I've never heard of an O2 code causing a no spark situation Tex.

[Texas]

I had an OBDII system in a 96.. and it caused just that.. It got some stupid code that shut the engine down... I didnt see the lost spark thing there... nevermind.

[dave101]

did u check to see if your overheating?

[thepaddy]

No it's not overheating, has plenty of coolant and it's staying cool.

[Primer_Drift]

when the ignitor is bad, it builds up too much resistance which causes heat, the extra heat causes even more resistance until it finally stops working altogether.. then you have to wait for it to cool.. nothing to do with coolant

[finboy]

Originally posted by Primer_Drift
when the ignitor is bad, it builds up too much resistance which causes heat, the extra heat causes even more resistance until it finally stops working altogether.. then you have to wait for it to cool.. nothing to do with coolant

:werd:

same thing happened to my buddies civic, 2 second fix.

[mazda_maniac]

How the o2 sensor would sense that and shut it off is definately not correct the o2 sensor regulates nothing to do with the spark but the air/fuel ratio.

[apollo guy]

if your losing spark ,it's probably the pick up coil ,common ford problem .

[thepaddy]

Thanks Everyone,

Took it into an electrical specialist. Determined that it was the stater in the distributor. Replaced the stater with a used one and it's running just fine now.

Thanks,

Patrick