# Escort Problems

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** escort\
**Created:** [August 27, 2008, 12:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706 "2008-08-27T00:03:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![slobber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slobber](https://community.cartalk.com/u/slobber)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 12:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706/1 "2008-08-27T00:03:33Z")

</div>

I have a 97 Ford Escort. I was driving today at about 50 MPH when the car engine died.  
  
 I tried to start it but it will not start. It cranks, but no spark. It showed no problems at all before this.  
  
 I have an idea what is wrong, and am looking for confirmation, and an idea as to how damaging this will be.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706/2 "2008-08-27T00:30:55Z")

</div>

If the engine stalled as if the ignition key were turned off, the first thing I’d suspect is a faulty ignition module.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![slobber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slobber](https://community.cartalk.com/u/slobber)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706/3 "2008-08-27T01:09:11Z")

</div>

That is exactly right. The engine was running fine, then just shut off. This may be a better alternative. I was thinking timing belt.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![budd2049](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@budd2049](https://community.cartalk.com/u/budd2049)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706/4 "2008-08-27T01:20:25Z")

</div>

If the timing belt gave out, the motor will simply whirr at one constant speed instead of the chugga-chugga-chugga you hear when normally trying to start it. Is this how it sounds?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![slobber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slobber](https://community.cartalk.com/u/slobber)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706/5 "2008-08-27T01:42:19Z")

</div>

Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![slobber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slobber](https://community.cartalk.com/u/slobber)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706/6 "2008-08-27T13:41:12Z")

</div>

It sounds like the starter is going, but nothing else is moving.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/escort-problems/18706/7 "2008-08-27T20:51:52Z")

</div>

If it has 140,000 miles on it, I say to get rid of it if it is an Escort. That’s where I draw the line. It may not be able to spark with a broken timing belt. It’s a 97 Escort and it could be a disposable car. It depends on your point of view. A mechanic has to check it. It won’t take long and you should ask how much it will cost to check. If your engine is one that gets damaged by a broken timing belt, you shouldn’t bother to have it fixed.