Engine cut out - no spark !

[Ruberduck]

My Mondeo Mk2 (2000) is giving me a bit a grief so hopefully somebody on here can help.
On Sunday night, I had travelled about 4 miles, I was quite close to home when the engine (1.8L) cut-out and refused to start again. I have had no problems before that. The engine turns over but won’t fire

This is what I have done so far:
Checked the fuel pump, it is priming
Checked there is fuel getting into the cylinders (wet plugs and vapour when plugs are out)
There is no spark (plugs out and earthed, cranked engine)
I checked the coil and it had no continuity between 1 and 4, 2 and 3 are ok, so I’ve replace the coil. Still nothing
I have checked all the fuses, they’re fine
The alarm/immobiliser seems to be behaving itself. Red light flashes as it states in the handbook when arming / disarming
I’ve checked the crank sensor, resistance as per manual, and it increases when cranking. I’ve also checking continuity back to the ECU connector
I’ve checked the feed to the coil (3 wire connector). With ignition on, its 12v on the centre cable and 0v on the outer ones. When cranking the centre cable drops to 9.5v but still nothing on the outer 2. So it looks like it isn’t getting a signal from the ECU. I have checked the continuity back to the ECU connector and that’s ok for both the outer cables
I have now drawn a blank. What do I check / do next?

[ringram]

If you douse it in fuel and light it how high do the flames climb?











Sorry mate. Sounds like maybe ECU or Anti theft. Have you scanned for codes?

[stevieturbo]

Its irrelevant checking voltages at teh coil triggers.

You need some form of pulse measurement. Either frequenzy, dwell time, or simply an oscilloscope to see if the ecu is indeed sending out a trigger.

The fact the injectors are triggering ( if indeed you have 100% confirmed this ) suggests the crank sensor is working, therefore the coils should also be seeing a trigger.

But again, as you havent checked with an oscilloscope ( at least you dont say you have ), you cannot say if the crank or cam sensor is in fact working or not. Simply saying there is a voltage or resistance change means nothing.

[Ruberduck]

I dont have an oscilloscope. How do I check for frequency or dwell time?

I haven't properly confirmed the injectors are working. When I took the plugs out they were wet and when cranking there was vapour coming from the spark plug hole. How do I check the injectors for a pulse with a multimeter?

[stevieturbo]

you need a multimeter with a frequency or dwell facility. Or for injectors, you can buy cheapish noid test lamps that will prove an injector signal.

Most normal multimeters dont, you'd need one intended for automotive diagnostics.


If the coil did fail, and plugs are flooded, throw the plugs in the bin.

Also, if the cylinders are full of fuel, it may take some time winding over before the excess fuel is gone.
This could also have damaged the cat.

Until you have proven the injectors are being triggered by the ecu and the coils are receiving a trigger, you cant say either is working.
Other option, although riskier/more awkward. Is make the injector tip visible during cranking, and watch for fuel.

[rev-erend]

So symptoms..

It runs .. then running bad, cuts out.

Loads of fuel
No spark

2 coil packs.. ?

If so then : Swap leads and coils feds .

Seems unlikely both would die .. so it must be immobaliser or ECU / wiring.

[skid-mark]

check the valve timing if the cambelt has not been changed for awhile it could have jumped some teeth on the belt this would confuse the signals recived from the crank/cam sensors and stop it from running.

[Ruberduck]

stevieturbo said:

You need some form of pulse measurement. Either frequenzy, dwell time, or simply an oscilloscope to see if the ecu is indeed sending out a trigger.

I've now checked the frequency of the two outer (trigger) wires. Both are reading just under 0.5 kHz. Does this mean that the ECU is putting out a signal?


I've also checked for fault codes but there is nothing stored.