I have changed the fuel filter, put in fuel injector cleaner, changed the spark plugs and a new pcv valve and new wires.
First, I highly recommend that you stop using starter fluid. That stuff can do some pretty severe damage to your engine, engine sensors, and exhaust system...ESPECIALLY if it is backfiring while trying to start. If the engine will not start without starter fluid, there is a problem that needs to be PROPERLY diagnosed. Starter fluid is only good for making many problems worse. There are those that would disagree with this. However, this is my professional, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician with 37 years of experience, opinion....Take it as you will.
If it is backfiring, it has to be a valve or valve timing issue. I think I would start by checking the cam timing and see if the timing belt has gotten out of time for one reason or another.
Those engines (Ford 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L) are also notorious for dropping exhaust valve seats, I would also recommend doing a compression test on all cylinders to see if there could be a burned valve or broken/missing valve seat.
If it starts right up and runs with the stsrting fluid, maybe it is not really "backfiring" but simply running out of fuel? Also check to see if you have any fuel pressure on your injector rails.
If your Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will not communicate with a scan tool, that is where you need to start. You need to perform "No Communications Diagnosis". This includes checking all power and ground circuits to the PCM and the data lines to the Data Link Connector (DLC). You need a scan tool that can communicate with the other modules in your computer network to see if it is possibly a shorted data circuit. If the other modules can communicate, then the data circuit is probably OK. Also, the other modules may have fault codes stored that can lead you to the fault. Please note that MOST generic OBD code readers CANNOT perform the functions that you need right now.
P.S. Also, if it will start and run (and continue to run) when you hold the throttle open, it is much more likely to be a faulty Idle Air Control (IAC) solenoid than it would be a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS).
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Thank you I will definitely stop using the starter fluid. Although when i used it it would start up right away without backfiring. But I believe you on making things worse. I will try your suggestions and get back to you on the results. Thank You Cyndi
Went to the auto parts store and borrowed one of those code testers because I think that it might be the throttle sensor or the fuel pressure sensor. If you manually open the throttle of the car while someone turns the ignition then the car will start. There is alot of puttering to begin with but then it smooths out for a couple min. ( 4 min. being the longest) then is sputters and dies. But I hooked it up to the car and wouldn't you know it, it doesn't want to work. It just says Working Trying to Communicate with Vehicle please wait! and then never leaves that screen or does anything else.
Car is fixed..... well sort of..... turns out that it was the pcv valve hose had a slice in it and when it we replaced it we left the hose alittle to long so after shortening it it ran alot better until we put it in gear. Reason .... Because 2 of the 3 motor mounts were broken and I guess the engine was moving so much that it was choking things out. So I just wanted to let you know that we got her fixed and to thank you for all of your help. Much apprecieated
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