Ford Escort ZX2

mcwllw

I have a 1998 Escort ZX2 'Hot package' 5 speed manual - I have searched and searched but have not found out if the engine is non-interference or not. Does anyone have a clue?

pmoltke

I am trying to find the Blue Book value of this car and have been unable to find anything. can anyone help me with this?
Thanks

Mr_Shiftright

From fair condition around $1400 to excellent around $3000--$3500

Mr_Shiftright

Non interference on your model, the DOHC engine

Visiting host

jmileski

Will a 2001 escort 2.0 liter zetec engine work in a 1996 ford contour that has a 2.0 liter zetec engine and if so, what needs to be changed.

remowus

It's in the trunk and has a 6 cd cartridge changer, It skips real bad when I hit a bump and lately has not wanted to work at all.
I think I will have to replace it.
So, what is the easiest way to do this? And cheapest too.

k9wh91984

Hello!

My dashboard lights went out under my aftermarket cd player a few months back. I decided to take a look today and removed the aftermarket dash mount. I did not unplug any connectors or wiring while doing this. After I reinstalled the dash, I have no ac, will not blow any air. Checked all connections all is good. I will check the blower relay and AC fuse tomorrow but if that is not the issue, any ideas? Thanks!

vanlith

I have a '98 Escort Zx2, came across it about 2 weeks ago. The last 2 days when trying to leave work, it acts like it isn't getting fuel and pops while driving then dying half the time when I stop. This only happens during the hot part of the day. Never when its cool out. One person mentioned vapor lock but I unscrewed my gas cap last night and it happened again today. Anyone have any ideas as to why this happens?

vanlith

Anyone have any ideas on how to get the condensation out of my headlight lenses, without taking the front bumper off?

2000escortzx2

Who can help me get my 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 started? It'll crank, but the engine won't catch. I've got fuel in the tank. Fuel cutoff switch is not the problem. I've got the battery (brand new) hooked up to a trickle charger to keep it up to snuff. I've installed a new ignition coil, a new valve cover gasket, cleaned out all the oil in and around the spark plugs, and I've installed four new spark plugs. Same story. We can still smell the fuel fumes coming out of the exhaust when we crank the starter, which tells me it's not a fuel pump issue. --- Firestone suggested it was my factory alarm preventing the engine from starting. I'll believe them if I can figure out how to reset the alarm, but I can't find the "magic toggle switch" under the dash that's supposed to reset it. Anyone else have better ideas/suggestions? Anyone have this problem before? I've found a lot of blogs discussing the issue, but none providing answers. -Brian

vanlith

Well, I just had to replace the timing belt in my '98. I could tell it was out though because when I tried to turn it over, it wound too fast. Also I had a small issue with the fuel sensor saying it was out of range, but my "service engine soon" light came on so if that is on have your mechanic hook it up to a computer. If it is a "factory" alarm, you should be able to disconnect it from the power source to see if it is the problem, I think . Good luck

izaclown1

The same thing happened to my 98. The only other thing that was added to my list of stuff was spark plug wires. My wires were still shorting out, so we replaced them. We have later had to redo the timing belt.

2000escortzx2

Hey cool. Did the spark plug wires do the trick? Firestone mentioned that we should look into a new timing belt since we're now over 100k, so I expect we'll replace that soon, but for now, I've just gotta get it started.

izaclown1

Yeah it did. Change that timing belt!! I THINK these engines are interference engines. I know my 98 is. Change out tension pulleys and what ever else needs to be done at one time. The main part labor would already be paid to get down to the belt. If that timing belt breaks the engine will probably be junk after that.

russ95

Hi,
We may have one for you. My son bought it for use in his ZX2 but never could find a wiring loom to connect it. He is not available so I can't give you a price now. I you are interested please reply. We also have the matching radio.
Russ

russ95

I will be rebuilding the engine on my sons ZX2 5mt (160,000miles / blown head gasket) in the next few weeks. I will also be replacing all the usual externals like clutch, water pump, thermostat, radiator, hoses, mounts, half-shafts, & timing set.
My real question is the VCT cam pulley. How long do they live? Is this a must do? We are looking to get another 100,000miles out of the car.
Any thoughts,
Russ

2000escortzx2

2000 Ford Escort ZX2 Cranks but Won't Start (Solution to the Problem). Here is the answer for anyone who runs into the same problem. We took our ZX2 to a different Firestone in town (Recommended by the AAA tow-truck driver). I explained the problem, detailed all of the work I had already done in attempts to fix it, and one week later, they called us with the solution. They needed to completely rewire the PCM, also known as the "Relay Control Box." Grand total was $342.40 for the work. All labor. No parts. According to Firestone, the PCM may have shorted out because it was subjected to water/moisture. This could have happened at a number of points, so here's our general timeline. Maybe you, the reader, can learn from our mistakes... We decided to donate the car to "Charity Cars (CC)." CC said the car could qualify for their donation program and we would likely be able to claim full market value on our taxes. They required us to have the vehicle towed to the crappy Firestone in town for an inspection. Before it was towed, we drove it to a car wash, had it cleaned real well, drove it back home, and parked it in the garage for a week. The tow truck showed up (after three failed shows, by the way) and I drove the ZX2 onto the flatbed. No problems. The flatbed left for the crappy Firestone that morning. Two weeks later, after many phone calls to CC and the crappy Firestone to find out what was going on, CC finally admits to us that they do not want the car and will not explain why. We suspect foul play and demand the car back. They acquiesce and tell us to go pick it up at Firestone. We arrive at the Crappy Firestone where they charge us for the tow and the inspection (both of which, the car did not need - we could have driven it all the way to CC in Florida, it ran THAT well). Crappy Firestone then goes down the list of inspection items that they found; normal wear and tear for a 9-year-old ZX2 and then as we are leaving (after we have paid), the clerk casually mentions that they had trouble getting our car started. In fact, he mentioned it so casually that I did not even make the mental connection to think it was a serious problem; I figured maybe it was a neutral safety switch issue or something like that and that it was starting most of the time and he was just having trouble once in a while. We did not realize what he meant by "having trouble starting" until we went out to the parking lot and tried to leave. The car would not start. No one from the Crappy Firestone seemed to care. One mechanic finally came out after he saw us struggling in the parking lot and tried spraying some fuel injector fluid to get it started. The car still did not start. He then made some recommendations to me to try a new distributor coil or a new valve cover gasket. So long story, short, we ended up calling AAA to tow our car from Crappy Firestone back to my own garage so I could fix something that was not broken when I drove it out of my garage two weeks earlier. Our ZX2 then proceeded to sit in my garage for over a month as I attempted one solution after another (distributor coil, then valve cover gasket, then spark plugs, then spark plug cables) to no avail and then I gave up and figured it must be the car alarm preventing the engine from starting. So I called AAA again for help and when the tow truck driver arrived, I explained the whole story to him. He then informed me how shady the Crappy Firestone was and recommended I have it towed to the Better Firestone in town and voila! Fixed less than a week later. So the PCM could have gotten wet when we had it washed, or it could have crapped out at the Crappy Firestone somehow; since they mentioned the problem so casually and DID NOT include it as a problem on the inspection report, we suspected more foul play there. Another possibility is that the original tow truck driver hired by CC did something to it while unloading it at the Crappy Firestone. Longer story shorter, the car runs incredibly well again, like it always did, for a nine-year-old car, and my wife and I have donated it to a very dear family friend who was absolutely ecstatic to receive what he called his "first new car." Seriously, it was like watching a 17-year-old kid get his license. So, cheers and thanks to everyone on here who offered advice and guidance. Be safe and take care and keep your PCM clean and dry. -Brian

bholtz

Where is the "neutral safety switch" located. (The switch that does not allow the starter to engage unless the clutch is depressed.)

2basko

How do you tell what engine size is in a 1998 Escort Sport

2basko

russ95

Mr_Shiftright

Engine size is the same on all '98 Escorts, 2.0L sohc or dohc (ZX models with the number 3 engine code in the VIN).

2basko

Thank you..

2basko

myrtle73

Hi, the driver belt came off of the car. I steering was very difficult to turn the car and I opened the hood and noticed the driver belt was off. I'm trying to put it back on, but I don't know how to do it. I mean I can't get my hands in the area that I need to put the belt on. The area is very small and I would like to know if there is an easier way to put the belt on and then tighten it.

bholtz

It's under the gas pedal at the floorboard. There's another switch at the top that I thought was it but it is not. Ford wants $71.00 for this switch (no wonder they didn't go under!!) but I fixed it by taking it out of the wiring harness (just unplug it) and putting a jumper wire where it plugged in. Sure, it will start in gear now but if you're that dumb get an automatic. I hate antilock brakes too! I'm old school and I want my cars that way too.

russ95

First do not drive the car W/O the belt on. You must next determine why the belt came off, belt worn out, bad idler bearing, bad tensioner, ect. Only then can you install a NEW belt. If you have confidence in your abilities then you must jack up the rt front & get dirty. The belt routing is available many places online just search "99 Escort serpantine belt installation".
Good Luck,
russ

atomtan2

Our 2k2 manual tranny ZX2 w/100,000 miles on it stalls frequently when the air conditioning is turned on. The timing belt was replaced at 80k. Any suggestions? Solutions?

Thanks

snozdong

where is the sending unit located that operates the temp guage in the dash

russ95

Chemically clean the IAM (idle air motor), MAF (mass air Flow), & throttle body. Replace the PCV valve, check the PCV hose, & all vacuum hoses. Disconnect the battery for a few minutes to reset the ECM. If this doesn't resolve it then change the plugs & wires. If it has the original mounts, replace all of them as they are dead by about 100,000 miles. All of these are normal maintenance that should not be ignored on these cars.
Russ

lonewolfblue

I was given a 1998 ZX2 by my mom when they got a new car and I sure love it. There's only one problem with the car, and my parents had never got it fixed. The gas guage doesn't work and I'm zeroing the odometer so I know how many miles I go with each fill. I generally fill at 250 miles. My question, is this a common problem, and is it spendy to fix? The gas guage goes everywhere, sometimes shows full and sometimes empty, and anywhere in between. Even on an empty tank it shows full most of the time.

mrsblanes

I have a 2000 ZX2. Bought it brand new. Have had numerous issues all costing about 700 dollars each time. It is a manual tranny. Has 144k miles on it. Luckily no issues with the tranny until now possibly. While driving the other day I heard a weird single click noise, no other noises. Came to a red light, put it in first gear went to take off and the car lacked power after about 2k rpms (although I did continue to accelerate very slowly). Shifted into second same thing. Finally got going fast enough to put into 5th and realized my hand and shifter were in front of the passenger seat. The gears have some serious play in them. I would say about 3-4 inches left or right. Does anyone know if that is the clutch, tranny, or even linkage? I can normally figure out what is wrong all by myself being that I grew up with a dad that was a mechanic and was always involved in projects and jobs he had. Not this time though, and dad isnt alive anymore to call and tell him what it is doing to be told exactly what it is without even looking, hearing or touching it. The gears do not grind going into gear, no noises, no other tell tale signs other than the clutch is raised about 2 inches more than normal and goes to the floor board when pushed in to shift. Please Help!!!

neozx2

When you have nothing happen when you turn the key, that means nothing is getting any power, pointing out the obvious. So start at the battery. take the battery to autozone, they will test the battery for free. if the battery is good, try the altinator. what it does is charge the battery. if it doesnt work the battery will not get recharged. if those are both fine, try the fuse box. if the main fuse is bad then you wont have any power.

neozx2

It sounds like the clutch to me. I would look at the pedal and trace it to the clutch itself.

neozx2

I just bought a 2002 escort zx2 a couple of months ago and want to upgrade my stereo. I have all the pieces I need to do it but I cannot figure out how to disconnect the ac control cable so that I can pull the factory stereo out. Anybody know how?

Mr_Shiftright

I think you may have broken a transmission or motor mount.

bphall

Hey all,
Need some help working on my Escort. Little history first, had the alternator replaced a year ago along with the serpentine belt. Three months ago a torsion pulley failed and had that replaced. Now it won't start, you can here it click and eventually it may turn over, but the other day nothing happened. I assume the starter is going bad or a celluloid, battery is new. I would hate to even more money at the Shop if it is something I can fix at home.

Thanks

zxtuner

I have a 2001 ZX2 and lately it has been changing its sweet spot in the clutch frequently, the clutch was just replaced 3 months ago. And just today when i took off from a light the clutch came up and my rpms would go up but my car was barely gaining speed unit second gear and it did the same thing after about 2500 rpms.

Suggestions please

russ95

You have three possible problems.
1. Improper clutch adjustment. Check & adjust (usually above pedal / under dash).
2. Defective clutch. Replace.
3. Oil on clutch. Fix leaks & replace clutch disc.

zxtuner

Thank you!!!

mrsblanes

It sounds like the same issue I had with my 2000 XZ2. If you haven't had it looked at yet, have them check the clutch master cylinder. It fixed my problem and haven't had another as of yet. It cost me $176.00 to replace that compared to almost 600 to replace the whole clutch. Hope it helps.

mrsblanes

Thank You. It was actually the clutch master cylinder. I was told everything else pertaining to the clutch looked almost brand new, so I didn't need to replace the whole clutch. Thank God. It cost me 176 dollars to replace the clutch master cylinder as compared to almost 600 to replace the whole clutch. Also, I changed my factory radio after 3 years of having my car... I would not recommend replacing with after market cd player. I bought a nice Sony cd player from Circuit City and paid for them to install it. My a/c worked bringing it in to replace the factory radio. Upon leaving my a/c no longer worked. I fought with them for 4 years (then they went out of business) for them to fix my a/c. They did absolutely nothing for me. I know what is wrong with it, but there is really no way to fix it. There is a plastic plate that when you turn the temp. up or down it turns and opens or closes the mode door. If you put in an after market face plate it hits it and busts that plate off. After it is broke the first time, there is no way to connect it back. Be careful if you do replace factory radio.

mrsblanes

There is a sensor on top of the thermostat housing that controls temp guage on dash.

mploesch

do you know the name of the sending unit? i have tried to find one, but i was sold a coolant sensor and that didnt fix the problem. is it a temerature sending unit?

jenny99

I love my car but I have had a few problems... This is the second trans I have had to get now. The first one I tore up on my own, but this second one had a 30 day guarantee, was ok untill like the 35th day lol my second gear seemed to slip everytime after pulling out, now I have no second gear at all, It is an automatic also, so I have to start off in low,1st, and take off makin my rpms real high then let off the gas, then shift into Drive allowing it to skip second. All my other gears work fine except 2nd gear whats the deal? Also on a hill, when I am in low, I have to ease very slowly or my axles seem to bind up and shimmy bad??

samstress

OMG, I have been trying to figure out the squealing noise in my 1998 ZX2 for almost 2 years. My mechanic replaced my serpentine belt x2, pulley belt, etc. The noise was driving me crazy, my friends actually named my car The Squealer!!!! I couldn't stand the noise anymore and decided to Google. I am so glad I did, thank you so much. I ordered the part from Rockbottom.com and it came in 1 day. The part cost $9.98 plus shipping and came the next day. My mechanics thought I was crazy being a women and just figuring I don't know about my car. No one could hear the noise except my husband and I and the people on the sidewalk. I put the part in today, which took 2 minutes to do. Hopefully the noise will be gone. Once again thank you for this posting!!!!!!!!

snozdong

I think I have the same problem..what was the part you ordered,or part number?

warzx273

Had da same prob. with my 2000 zx2, there is a vacuum line with a breather on da top right hand side of your valve cover, u can probably get a bigger breather, i have an aftermarket intake with 1 vacuum line so i put a small air filter over that vacuum and no more squeek.... U can buy a bigger breather or miniature air filter at autozone, pep boys, advanced, or oreillys for less than 15 dollars

samstress48

Hi,
My car no longer screams, I ordered the part from www.rockauto.com. The part number is Motorcraft FA1661 Crankcase Breather Element, cost $9.55. What a difference. I will be changing this filter when I change my air filter, all the time now. Never want that screaming noise to return. Good luck!!!

osurlosers

You really don't need to replace the breather filter every time you change the other filters. That thing should be good for at least 70,000 miles. My car has 130,000 miles on it, and I've only replaced it once. I saw someone on another site mention that they cleaned out their breather filter with WD40 and it fixed it....so that might be worth trying IF you are still driving you car next time it needs replacement. Just a thought!

battlewagon98

Hello:
About 3 weeks ago we got a trouble code, changed the thermostat and everything went back to normal within a day or 2.

All of a sudden today, the temp gauge shot up to over the red line after about 5 minutes of driving, and stayed there. Allowed the car to cool down for an hour or 2, and it is still there.

Plenty of coolant, maybe even a little high (just over the bottom mark when engine cold).

The engine when we checked was definitely not hot to the touch, but the gauge still says way over hot.

Any thoughts?

remowus

a while back, but can't get rid of the gas smell. Everytime i walk past the car I can smell gas. No leaks. How can I fix this?