DTC PO351 - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

FordMan59 · 09-23-2012, 17:15

Someone on another forum I'm a member of has trouble code PO351. He said he has already replaced the crank position sensor and the ignition coil and the car still won't start. What should he be looking at next. The car is a '98 Ford Escort 2.0L SOHC.

salguod · 09-23-2012, 19:28

Thanks FordMan59 for posting here, the Escort in question is mine. I've also replaced the plugs & wires. The full sordid tale is here at the Escort forums if you'd like to read it.

I'm stumped, it seems that the only things left are the cam position sensor & the PCM, or bad wiring somewhere.

salguod · 09-24-2012, 20:27

I tried 2 different stores and neither had a fuel pressure gauge loaner. So I picked up some starter fluid and gave it a shot. A healthy 2-3 second spray in the plenum did nothing, no attempt to fire. Tried it twice, same results.

I then tried wiggling the wires at the coil while someone cranked it, no effect there either.

I pulled the #4 plug, held it against the valve cover bolt and then the radiator support. No spark in either place.

I verified 12 volts between the engine and the + terminal on the battery, so I've got a good engine ground.

Rechecked the 15a engine fuse, it's OK.

So, definitely no spark and a lack of fuel doesn't seem to be the problem. Question is, do I change the CAM sensor, or just go straight to the PCM? The coil was definitely bad, would that have taken out the PCM?

**CatSkinner** · 09-25-2012, 18:30

If you're not getting spark from the coil, is the coil getting power?

FordMan59 · 09-25-2012, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatSkinner

If you're not getting spark from the coil, is the coil getting power?

He said there was power to the coil, the coil and crankshaft position sensor are new, still no fire.

salguod · 09-26-2012, 04:15

Yep, I've tog 12v to the center pin of the coil harness in the run position.

I did some Googling on a bad coil + bad PCM and it seems that it's not unheard of for the coil to take out the PCM by sending high voltage back to it. I've ordered a PCM, hope it'll be in by the weekend. Since the coil was definitely bad, it seems likely.

**CatSkinner** · 09-27-2012, 18:51

Keep us posted.

salguod · 09-28-2012, 05:11

Will do. New PCM is to come in today or Monday.

salguod · 09-28-2012, 17:16

New PCM did it, and I did find a used one for $75 instead of $170 that I paid at Advanced. I didn't even open the box on it, so it's going back.

There was a moment of panic when I plugged the PCM in and it still didn't start. Looked under the hood and discovered that I hadn't plugged the coil back in. Fired right up after I corrected that. :D

Thanks for all the help.